Clutch Install

[Cool Mr Steve]

I just finished reading the Vfaq replacement instructions for a clutch on a 2g AWD. I have a 2g FWD and I was curious how similar the replacement was, and where the differences are. Also, how much does a transmission weigh, and how hard is it to take down/put up without a transmission jack

 

[Amazin' Wasian]

The only difference on a fwd is that you dont have a transfer case to remove, and the transmission is pretty heavy. I used a regular jack under mine to help me get it out, But after it was out from the car i could lift it. Its just at an awkward angle to lift while pulling it out of the engine bay. Also make sure you label all of your bolts, it will save you alot of time when putting it all back together.

-nick-

 

[wret]

They are nearly identical but you can skip the transfer case removal, which means you won't have to mess with the down pipe. I'd guess the tranny weighs around 50-70lbs. Some have dropped it and replaced it without a jack, with someone balancing it on their knees, that doesn't sound like much fun to me. I used my floor jack and had no problem getting it back in.

Some have had trouble removing the axles from the tranny (they snap in). I had no trouble at all. Just get a pry bar in there and give it good whack with a dead blow hammer.

The vfaq is not really clear about removal of the driver's side suspension. I tried without removing it, wasted a lot of time and eventually removed it anyway. Just remove the bolted ends of the control arms, not the ball joint ends (duh). Actually, after destroying the boot on a control arm ball joint, I found that is was loose and replaced it. Sometimes being a dummy is a good thing.

I also didn't bother removing the evap canister. I can't really see how removing it helps. This is a good time to replace your fuel filter if you haven't already. You may never get that close to it again.

 

[scottsopko320]

i just got done with the clutch in my buddies gst. it isnt that very hard imo. the tranny itself is very awqard to handle. my friend and I just fanagled it out with a floor jack that manned by another person. he was under the front of the car manuvering the tranny, while i was on the passenger side of the car with my left hand holding the mount and my right arm through the ic hole there holding the butt of the tranny, with the jack handle between my legs, a very scary but seemed neccessary place for it. and it came out with not much effort at all. putting it in is a very different story. when you go to return the tranny to the car with the new clutch intstalled just remeber to check to disc itself for fittment. check, check again, and check one more time before you decide that the tranny itself is going in, because the clutch disc will come out of line with the simplest bump of it. good luck man, and make your friends help.

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

Some have had trouble removing the axles from the tranny (they snap in). I had no trouble at all. Just get a pry bar in there and give it good whack with a dead blow hammer.

This was one of the main things that worried me. I (obviously) have never dealt with anything like this. If something doesn't want to come out, I'm not going to know if there is something else holding it. A piece as important as this, I'm not going to know when exactly I can put a pry bar in there and hitting it. How will I know when it's ready to come out? Is there anything that will be actually holding it in, or will I just know when it's ready to come out? I don't want to break anything.

 

[mmmmbst]

i just got done with the clutch in my buddies gst. it isnt that very hard imo. the tranny itself is very awqard to handle. my friend and I just fanagled it out with a floor jack that manned by another person. he was under the front of the car manuvering the tranny, while i was on the passenger side of the car with my left hand holding the mount and my right arm through the ic hole there holding the butt of the tranny, with the jack handle between my legs, a very scary but seemed neccessary place for it. and it came out with not much effort at all. putting it in is a very different story. when you go to return the tranny to the car with the new clutch intstalled just remeber to check to disc itself for fittment. check, check again, and check one more time before you decide that the tranny itself is going in, because the clutch disc will come out of line with the simplest bump of it. good luck man, and make your friends help.

That was my tranny he helped me with. It's not too hard, I suspected it to be way harder than it was, it's basically time consuming and simple unbolting. I had about 100k on the car before I did the clutch so the hubs were kinda rusted to the axle. If this is the same in your case just unbolt the suspension from both driver and passenger sides and pop the axles out of the tranny in a whole. Take off all the b/s up top like the charge pipes, battery and anything else in the way. Also make sure you have all the tools required especially a engine transverse brace concidering you are taking off 3 of the 4 motor mounts off. It's definately a 2 person job manning the tranny because its more akward than heavy. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING FOR A FWD before you start the install (slowboy accidentally sent me a flywheel for an awd) . When you put the clutch in, make sure its alligned correctly before you tighten the pressure plate down (22 ft lbs), if you dont, the tranny wont allign when you put it back in.
Other than that give it a try. If your mechanically inclined I think you would be able to do it. Like I said its not too hard its just time consuming so if you have a deadline, I would consider taking it to someone. With your knowledge it should take a weekend. Good luck, if you have trouble.......post again.

 

[ericbev]

This was one of the main things that worried me. I (obviously) have never dealt with anything like this. If something doesn't want to come out, I'm not going to know if there is something else holding it. A piece as important as this, I'm not going to know when exactly I can put a pry bar in there and hitting it. How will I know when it's ready to come out? Is there anything that will be actually holding it in, or will I just know when it's ready to come out? I don't want to break anything.

The green part at the end of the CV is what you pry on. Just stick it between the tranny and here and pry away. It should pop out easily with an adequately sized prybar. I tried getting it out with large screwdriver, among other things, but oil seal really holds that sucker in there. If you dont have a nice set of prybars, this is a great excuse to go buy some. Tools purchases are aways justifiable.

Here is a pic of where I was talking about.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28201&d=1081389118

Dont forget to drain you tranny fluid first. If you dont, you will have a lake on your floor.

If you have any other questions or concerns, I can help.

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

Ok, what is a "engine transverse brace?" I have no idea how I'm going to support the weight of the engine, I don't have the equipment necessary for it. What do I do?

 

[ericbev]

It is fairly easy. I just used a bottle jack on a few chunks of wood. On top of the jack I used a 2x4 about a foot long and threw some rags between the wood and the pan. The 2x4 spreads the weight and the rags pad the oil pan from being damaged. The pic doesnt show the rags or 2x4 but you get the idea. This supported my motor just fine with no damage and no problems. You dont need a bottle jack either, you could use a regular one. There are other ways to do this but this was the easiest and most effective for me.

Here is a pic of the jack setup and my tranny on the floor with the prybar next to it. Figured I would show you the size giant prybar so you can go get one for youself.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

Thanks a lot, buddy! That really helps. Also, my dad owns that exact pry bar, so that shouldn't be an issue. The tranny looks really awkward. This should be quite an adventure.

 

[scottsopko320]

instead of jacking the motor up, really use a engine transverse barce. all that does is brace the engine across the engine bay. mmmmbst made one out of an old weight bench. ill try to get pics of it so you know how to make it.

 

[ericbev]

instead of jacking the motor up, really use a engine transverse barce. all that does is brace the engine across the engine bay. mmmmbst made one out of an old weight bench. ill try to get pics of it so you know how to make it.

The jack is very easy and effective.

It is really alot easier than you would think. After I did mine, I was amazed how easily it went together.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask. Glad I could be of help.

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

I believe you that the jack is very easy, and thats probably the way that I will go. I would also like to see what scottsopko320 is talking about and see which one would work better for me. Thanks to everyone for their help so far.

 

[91tsirasinhell]

I don't know if u have acess to one but a engine puller is a very good way to get the transmission back up to the motor. You can temporaryly bolt some chains to the transmission where the mount bolts to it and raise the transmission with it. That way it is suspened in the air while u line it up with the motor. It save alot of hastle trying to wrestle around holding the transmission up or trying to balance it on a floor jack. good luck!

 

[mmmmbst]

I myself prefer the engine transverse brace for the fact of yourself being under the car and a jack would get in the way. Here is what i made out of an old weight bench and some muffler clamps, it's pretty makeshift but very sturdy. I just think this was a better idea.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

[/URL][/IMG]