Clutch Spring Plate Grease

[Mike V]

Need some help with the precise points of lubrication on the clutch spring plate.  As I understand it a thin film of moly60 about an 1/8 inch wide at the back rim where it contacts the flywheel.  Any other places? How about the back side of the friction plate ring where it contacts the center portion of the spring plate? Moly60 ok to use (sparingly) or high heat anti-seize?

[Mike V]

I just found a great illustration in the Wiki section by Mike Fugere, although that looks like it might be a bit much to me on the spring plate bellows. Still a great pictorial illustration and tutorial.

I guess I just answered my own question...

It's coming back off since I neglected greasing the contact areas before assembly of the clutch pack, one of those "oh sh*t" moments, better known as an oversight.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I've never put grease on anything except the input shaft splines, and on the tip of the throwout rod.

I think I have heard of it being put on the tips of the 'fingers' of the spring ('78-'80 type), but I've never done it.

[Mike V]

Rob,
I put it back together dry not knowing if it was a good idea or not until Oak suggested greasing the components in specific areas. Sounds like it wouldn't hurt if not done, as you have experienced. I'm going to do it only because I have some down time and the motor is conveniently on the bench...

Just an FYI

Mike:
It is good practice to lay a thin film of anti-sieze on the outer periphere of the large Bellvue spring where it contacts the " flywheel " !!  That would minimize any tendency of non smooth clutch operation. But if you didn't, it may still work quite perfectly or may give off with a weak squeak when clutching. Presumably you lubed the clutch spline. The pin lube would not serve any useful purpose except to insure it can be removed if needed. Don't forget about the balance mark orientation........Oak

[Mike V]

I wanted to follow up on this with some pictures. I removed the clutch pack yesterday since I have some down time waiting for heads to come back. There's lots of different opinions on this subject but I lightly coated the areas where I could see wear marks and contact points.  The grease on the spring plate is probably a little wideer than needed since the wear mark from the pressure plate was just below the circular cutouts. Just a very thin coat so not to spit off onto the friction surfaces.

[nhmaf]

Mike,

I think you'll be fine with the grease as shown in your pics, though you did go a bit wider than necessary on the diaphragm spring.  As you saw in my pics in the article, the moly60 stuff shows up very blue in the photos in the wiki article.   It is really a very thin smear, it just shows up well in the pic.  The grease is primarily for reduction of squeaking as Oak's note indicates.  The BMW shop manual and at least one of the repair manuals (Haynes or Clymer, I have both and can't recall which one at the moment) also recommends a thin film of grease in those areas.

Mike

[Mike V]

Thanks Mike. This is my first experience with the newer Clutch assemblies with carrier. I found the Wiki tutorial very useful and helpful, need to refer there more often. Thanks for your input. I ran the smear quite high up on the spring plate because I noticed a slight wear mark just below the circular cutouts. I was careful to run a finger firmly around the circumference to reduce the amount of grease. And, I also put just a faint amount on the carrier grooves where the spring plate rests and pivots. This may be overkill but I'm confident it won't spit off with centrifugal force. I have a factory manual and never thought to refer to it. It's hard to know what to rely on with all the reference material I have. But the experienced word of this forum, Bum, Oak and the rest of you seems to be invaluable.  Hope to be sending some pictures out to you guys soon.  I'm almost completed with the restoration. It's been 8 solid months of work and enjoyment. Now waiting for clamshell, airbox, and valve covers to return from powder coat - and the heads and jugs to return from Ted Porter. Hopefully my efforts will be rewarded with a good running machine and no leaks!
Can't thank this forum enough for all the help. An invaluable tool.
I'm hoping my Photobucket archive of my procedures and tutorials will help someone in the future and my small way of paying back for all the help.
-Mike V. / San Diego