M4A2 Sherman clutch shim question

[Malcolm Towrie]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

It looks to me that the thrust bearing pulls the center of the spring (diaphragm) (away from the flywheel) to release the clutch? The reverse of "normal" If so, then you are still getting full spring pressure, but without the shims, there possibly won't be enough travel at the thrust bearing to properly release.

I don’t know, Lynn. When I tighten the bolts clamping the clutch housing above to the flywheel I can feel the torque increasing from the diaphragm spring loading up. If I had 1/16” of shims between housing and flywheel, there would be less compression on the spring when bolts tightened down.
Malcolm

[Malcolm Towrie]

The engine compartment was filthy, it was embarrassing, and it was miserable to work on.
It was time.