Clutch ball stud purpose and function question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 8
From: Chichester, UK
Clutch ball stud purpose and function question
I am about to use Mcleod RST clutch in my engine build and would like to know how to set the ball stud for best alignment.
Could someone explain to me the function and purpose of a clutch Ball stud, please?
What am I trying to achieve and how do I do it?
I know there are three options:
Chevy short stud
Chevy long stud
Aftermarket adjustable studs
I have read an article from Centreforce and the magic number for the ball stud length from the block side of the bellhousing to the clutch ball is 4.750” +/- difference of the flywheel thickness.
I have measured my stock bellhousing and the distance from bellhousing face to the ball is 4.850”
This is 0.1” shorter that the magic 4.750, but it has been working like this for the past 30 odd years without any issues.
Thank you
Could someone explain to me the function and purpose of a clutch Ball stud, please?
What am I trying to achieve and how do I do it?
I know there are three options:
Chevy short stud
Chevy long stud
Aftermarket adjustable studs
I have read an article from Centreforce and the magic number for the ball stud length from the block side of the bellhousing to the clutch ball is 4.750” +/- difference of the flywheel thickness.
I have measured my stock bellhousing and the distance from bellhousing face to the ball is 4.850”
This is 0.1” shorter that the magic 4.750, but it has been working like this for the past 30 odd years without any issues.
Thank you
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
This subject has been discussed many times. Have you tried using the SEARCH function this forum provides? BTW, I think you're confusing what you're calling the 'ball stud' for the correct term, the pivot ball.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 148
Likes: 24
The clutch ball stud is the pivot point for the clutch arm and an important component of the complete clutch linkage. If it is not in the right position, the throwout bearing can bind, you may not be able to engage the clutch because you run out of threads on the adjusting rods, or the clutch arm hits the firewall.
I am no expert but have been looking into this topic. You need to check all the elements that make up the geometry, bellhousing depth, flywheel depth, throwout bearing (TOB) height, pressure plate depth if different from stock, and clutch ball stud height such that the clutch arm is slightly forward of a line parallel to the flywheel when it is touching the TOB.
See the technical insert from Centerforce below, this helped me understand how it all fits together. At the bottom of the first page is a list of fixed and adjustable ball studs.
I am no expert but have been looking into this topic. You need to check all the elements that make up the geometry, bellhousing depth, flywheel depth, throwout bearing (TOB) height, pressure plate depth if different from stock, and clutch ball stud height such that the clutch arm is slightly forward of a line parallel to the flywheel when it is touching the TOB.
See the technical insert from Centerforce below, this helped me understand how it all fits together. At the bottom of the first page is a list of fixed and adjustable ball studs.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,379
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
I've installed several of the McLeod twin discs, and they are a very nice setup. On all of the ones I've done, I've used the Lakewood adjustable ball and set it to a height .100" taller than the stock ball height (measured with calipers). Once set, I've LocTite'd the thing in place to assure it doesn't come loose - that would really suck. This has worked perfectly with the clutch linkage geometry and pedal adjustability.
Lars
Lars
. I dont think you'll ever get one that long
