I've read through all past posts and couldn't find anything similar so here's my problem.

I've noticed ever since I put a 3 finger pressure plate in my car, I get a ticking, sort of chattering sound when the clutch is engaged - partcularly when the trans is in neutral. It's not a shuddering of the whole car when I start from a stop, just a clatter coming from the bellhousing once I totally let the clutch pedal out in that last 0.5" of travel. The clutch also disengages and shifts through the gears smoothly, so perhaps it might be something with the linkage or throwout bearing? PS - the bearing is brand new

Your thoughts appreciated as to what could be causing this. I'll be taking it apart to look inside.

Thanks,
Mike

Update:

I adjusted the linkage to give a little more freeplay at the end when the clutch is released and the little clicking turned into a chatter. Could the pressure plate fingers be loose? Perhaps the fingers are at unequal heights?

your thoughts appreciated!!

i am not even close to a clutch expert, but it sounds to me like the throwout bearing is kind of rattling against the 3 fingers of the clutch,
i would try to take some of the free play out of the adjustment and see if it gets any better

Any chance the fork is not positioned in the throwout bearing correctly. It can be easily done.

400,

My first thought also and I tried it - the only way the chatter goes away is if I take away ALL the freeplay when the clutch is engaged - but that means my throwout bearing is constantly spinning and I'll burn it out in no time.

Max,

I made double sure that the spring on the fork was also in the groove of the bearing - a common mistake. I believe the purpose of that spring is to prevent rattling. Perhaps it popped out - I'll know better when I take it apart. The only other thing (I think) it could be is that this stock yoke is incorrect for the aftermarket 3 finger pressure plate I'm using. This was my original conclusion and was wondering if anyone experienced the same problem when using a 3 finger plate with a stock yoke.

I'm also going to check that the throwout bearing has a snug sliding fit on the trans front bearing retainer. If this is not right, this will also cause a chatter.

BTW - the plate is a Zoom 3 finger Borg and Beck 10.4" dia for a SBC. Has anyone used this?

Thanks for your thought guys - an other ideas you have are appreciated
Mike

Just thought I'd post a conclusion in case anybody does a search on this problem

Root cause: The bearing fork was rubbing against the top of the pressure plate when the clutch was engaged. The adjustable pivot was the only way to make the linkage work, but it didn't work with the geometry of the stock bellhousing and fork.

Recommendation: Never assume aftermarket pressure plates are a drop in replacement for a stock one if you're staying with the stock fork and bellhousing.