clutch help...

i have a 86 xj700. the clutch sometimes slips under strong acceleration. does anyone know how many discs i will need to buy and if it is a difficult process?

 

looks like your clutch has (7) "normal" friction plates, and one "oddball" friction plate at the very back against the plain plate built into the hub.

You should replace the springs too, they're cheap.

it's not a difficult process, but IIRC the 700 has the same "asymmetrical" plain plates as the 550s, oddly shaped with a "tab" on one side. If that is the case, they have to be oriented at 72 degrees to each other upon reassembly. Do you have a book?

 

no i do not have a book. is there anywhere i can get a diagram?

 

I can scan you a "picture" of the plate orientation diagram from the 550 book, it gives you the basic idea anyway. You won't need it unless the 700 DOES have the asymmetrical plain plates. Once you know for sure, PM me with your email address.

You should really pull the clutch apart, clean everything and check the plain plates for warpage or signs of being burnt before you place your order anyway, so you'll have time.

 

do you think i should just go ahead and order everything new? i am planning a road trip to the east coast from memphis and don't want any problems.

 

700 models do NOT have asymmetrical plates....only those 550's do!

 

This makes clutch work a breeze honestly. Just alternate friction/metal plates till you run out of em, then the pressure plate goes in, springs and bolts. Just make sure the little dot on the pressure plate lines up with the dot on the hub. Mine went together misaligned but i couldn't get the clutch to work right ... pulled it apart to check and that was the issue.

I'm with fitz, pull it apart and clean everything up. My clutch was slipping like no tomorrow, and shuffling the friction plates made it feel brand new again. I know that I've only postponed its failure, but it'll do for now.

 

GOOD point on aligning the dots, I forgot that one. However, at 26K you really are probably going to need at least friction plates and springs. I still recommend pulling it down first though in case it turns out you need anything else. Don't forget to order a new cover gasket too.