Pressure Plate Finger Grooves, caused by the throwout bearing Options

[McMark]

Hey guys, check my logic here. I see this type of grooving all the time, on nearly every pressure plate I see - regardless of engine type, horsepower, etc. I hadn't given it too much thought other than, "I don't like it, but it happens every time." But I was just talking with someone and it occurred to me that this might be wear caused by a bad throwout bearing. If the grease is sticky, or if dirt has infiltrated the bearing, it may not be able to rotate/spin correctly and would slip causing wear.

The point of the throwout bearing should be to stop exactly this type of wear, right?
Doest this mean bad throwout bearings are super common?
Or is this a symptom of a loose clutch cable, not holding the throwout bearing tight to the fingers and that lets them slip?

[JStroud]

So my question, the PP picture in the first post, is it usable?
I ask because I'm the one that sent it to McMark wondering if I should use it for my 3.2 or buy a new one. It's a kep stage II.

[SirAndy]

I ask because I'm the one that sent it to McMark wondering if I should use it for my 3.2 or buy a new one. It's a kep stage II.

Aha!

Now i'm curious as well, but i see a clear pattern here.
Since my transmission always has had trouble getting into gear when at a standstill, i *always* keep it in gear and my foot on the clutch when stopped.

Interestingly enough, i never noticed any grinding noises ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[r_towle]

I ask because I'm the one that sent it to McMark wondering if I should use it for my 3.2 or buy a new one. It's a kep stage II.

Aha!

Now i'm curious as well, but i see a clear pattern here.
Since my transmission always has had trouble getting into gear when at a standstill, i *always* keep it in gear and my foot on the clutch when stopped.

Interestingly enough, i never noticed any grinding noises ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

From what I could tell once it started to get loud, it was challenging to get into gear, but not everytime.
There was more than enough push to free up the clutch, most of the time.
Mine, on the mini, was worn down more than hallways through the spring teeth.

The issue we had was noise and hard shifting...never any clutch slippage.
To the OP , considering how hard it is to replace, you may want to do it now.....or just run it until it won't shift...then do it.