clutch question '95 90q

[tihol tiholov]

>>George asked:
>> ... the plate that is bolted to the flywheel and forms the friction
surface closest to the engine will rotate about 10 - 15 degrees in
relation to the flywheel after the flywheel is torqued tight. The
pressure plate bolts to this surface with the clutch plate in between,
so the whole mess will rotate a bit with the drive shaft etc.
>>What is the purpose of the built in rotation? is it to act as a shock
absorber similiar to the springs built into some clutch plates?>>

Yes.

Then Tom said:
> ... in many places, I see Audi refer to the clutch in our V6 manual
cars as having a "dual mass" flywheel. I have never had one apart, and
nobody who has has ever given me a good run-down on what is in there. 

>From what I've read:  The flywheel has 2 metal parts bonded with rubber
in-between.  In this case the clutch plate is solid - no springs to
compensate for irregular engine torque.

>I presume it is that mechanism that you are seeing in your buddies car.
I have heard that it is to make the engine run smoother, and I have
heard that it is to make the clutch up-take smoother. I do not know
which is correct.

Seems like the second supposition is the aim here.

> ... If I ever have to do a clutch on mine, the dual mass flywheel is
going to become a dual mass door stop.

Might want to sell it instead (they're usually pricey, a Porsche 968
one's over $1000 US), though you'll need a conventional clutch plate
that fits or more.  DK if dual mass necessarily means twice as heavy.

TT