EVERY time I've tried to use those cheapo aligners, I've been left
with a disc that would not allow the mainshaft inside the assembly
and that's about as frustrating as rebuilding an engine and then
you're ready to install it and you find the new piston rings you
bought on the work bench and not on your pistons.  Yeah, that's an
exaggeration, but the profanity would be similar.  Everytime I've
used the cut off mainshaft, I've had no trouble.  As they say,  YMMV
and probably does.

DM&FS

At 08:40 AM 6/24/2008, Mike wrote:
>What are you doing that makes the plastic tool not work?  They only
>temporarily center the disk while you bolt down the pressure
>plate!  There's not an ounce of pressure applied, so I don't see
>what the problem could be. I've used both for years, so I don't see
>what you're getting at.  I've even used my fingers and eyeballed it
>centered; it's not so precise, but it does work!
>
>Mike B.
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Max Wellhouse" <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 9:42 PM
>Subject: Re: clutch time, reccomendations/tips?
>
>
>>Try splitting the difference with Bus Depot's $159 Luk HD kit.  A
>>little more than the than the $130 kit, but cheaper than the $200 one
>>they sell.
>>
>>http://www.busdepot.com/catalog.jsp?model=43&category=10
>>
>>I've never had any luck using those cheapo plastic disc aligners, so
>>if you can find an old junk VW tranny or mainshaft in your
>>neighborhood,  get someone to cut off the part that goes in to the
>>clutch disc and leave it about 6" long and use the real McCoy to
>>align that disc.  Never had any trouble with using steel vs. using
>>that flimsy plastic.  I use that tool about once every 10 years or
>>so.  It's a wonder I remember where I store it.
>>
>>DM&FS
>>
>>At 08:12 PM 6/23/2008, Brendan Slevin wrote:
>>>well, the clutch is finally slipping more than occasionally so it's time to
>>>replace.  does anyone have any tips?  I'm thinking of the cheaper kit on
>>>van-cafe
>>>
>>>http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagon_parts.jsp?pa=p&p=647938736&pct=1231009736&ct=1125588537
>>>
>>>because that $60 difference is a lot to us right now.
>>>
>>>thanks!
>>>
>>>brendan slevin
>>>84 gl totoro
>>>bend, oregon
>>>
>>>ps I swear my shift key Works sometimes.