Clutch disk wear

[jeffc280sl]

I recently pulled the trans and clutch off my SL.   I think the clutch disk is wearing unevenly and I'm looking for confirmation and comments for the remedy.  I appears the clutch plate is wearing on the outside 1/2in on both sides of the disk.  On one side you will see the friction ring in a brown color.  On the other side you will see the grooves on the outside wearing faster than the rest on the disk face.

Thanks for your help.

Download Attachment: clutch1.JPG
38.57 KB

Download Attachment: clutch2.JPG
25.17 KB

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Benz Dr.]

That's definately some strange looking wear. Have you ever replaced the pressure plate? Is the clutch slipping?
If the flywheel is worn more towards the center it will grab on the outer edge and could wear the clutch disc. I have all my flywheels ground - never turn them on a lathe. The flywheel surface has to be perfectly smooth or it won't work right at all. If it's warped even a little bit the clutch will shudder as you release it from a dead stop.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[jeffc280sl]

Dan,

Thank you for responding.  The clutch/transmission area is the last subsystem for me to tear into.  I've had the car for 15 years and driven it maybe 10K miles with no problems in the area.  No shuttering or slipping.  The flywheel and clutch plate look okay to me.  Here are pics of each.  There are no surface problems on either part that I can see.  No grooves, cracks or uneveness.  Please let me know what you think.

Download Attachment: cltch plate.JPG
42.55 KB

Download Attachment: flywheel.JPG
35.52 KB

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Benz Dr.]

Pretty hard to tell from those pics. I would have the flywheel checked at a machine shop. At any rate you will need to get a new clutch disc and probably a pressure plate. That kind of wear isn't a good thing.

Get your flywheel ground so that all the new parts will have maximum surface contact during operation. I can help you out with any parts you might need.


Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[jeffc280sl]

Thanks Dan,



Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed