Am I Crazy To Consider This DIY?
#1
Am I Crazy To Consider This DIY?
I'm thinking about replacing the clutch in my 95 C2 myself, do you think I'll regret this decision? I'm thinking about doing based on: 1. I have the time (winter project), 2. I have the tools (except special clutch tools), 3. I have a 4-point lift for easier access and 4. I consider myself to be mechanically inclined and have done other successful DIY’s. I would hope to find a how to book or article to guide me though the process. One of the main areas of concern is, do I or don’t I have to remove the motor? I’ve read a few posts that say you should and others that said you shouldn’t. My car has 40K so I don’t think I need to replace the ignition wires and at 30K I had the plugs, alternator belts, A/C belts distributor caps and rotors replaced. For those of you who have taken on this DIY, any words of wisdom?
#3
You bought the lift and tools for a reason. You are way ahead of most DIY'ers in this regard.
I say go for it.
There are a few writeups on here that will help out. If you don't mind upsetting your alignment specs I would go ahead and drop the engine since you have the lift.
I say go for it.
There are a few writeups on here that will help out. If you don't mind upsetting your alignment specs I would go ahead and drop the engine since you have the lift.
Last edited by chaoscreature; 09-19-2013 at 10:43 AM. Reason: hit enter on accident
#6
I say go for it, take your time, do the research and enjoy the bonding time LOL
I have really enjoyed working on my 95, nothing serious like a clutch job yet but i am progressing slowly and carefully.
I have really enjoyed working on my 95, nothing serious like a clutch job yet but i am progressing slowly and carefully.
#7
lefty loosey, righty tighty.. bolts are bolts, so if you have the time go for it. There is soooo much support for you here and other places online that the only thing that will happen is that you learn something and have fun bonding time.
I just finished a clutch job on my mini cooper - lots of fun and learning!
phil.
I just finished a clutch job on my mini cooper - lots of fun and learning!
phil.
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#8
Sounds like a nice project. Good luck!
#10
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Do it. I would also drop the motor. It can be done w/o but if you aren't in a hurry, why not? It will give you a chance to clean things, replace #12 plug etc.
#11
It's not that hard, just time consuming. I dropped the engine and trans together when I did mine. I did it by myself with just jack stands and a couple jacks. No special tools required besides the clutch alignment tool that usually comes with clutch kits. Make sure you have XZN(Triple square) socket bits for the pressure plate.
#13
Dropping the engine triggers an alignment, so take that into account. But this is not a hard DIY, but it is a chuck of work.
On his car, no point to drop the entire engine if nothing else it to be done. However, to drop just the transmission on a lift takes a transmission jack to support the transmission when its being removed when on a lift. If the car is on jackstands, you can use floor jacks to do the same thing.
The two riskiest spots are
- when you reattach the transmission to the engine, you will need to align the spline shaft with the engine very carefully in order for the transmission and engine to mate correctly. If you drop or twist the transmission at this spot, you run the risk of bending the input shaft on the transmission - and that is expensive to fix. Don't freak out, its not that hard, but you need to be careful.
- when the transmission is attached, you will need to feed the clutch fork shaft into the housing and place it correctly. This can be a bear if you do not have clearances, and you run the risk of disturbing the open roller bearings that you need to insert into.
The above two points are much easier if the engine assembly is dropped, but its also doable on the lift by dropping just the transmission by itself. That saves a lot of time and costs.
The procedure if on a lift would be to support the motor just ahead of the bell housing, loosen (but not remove) the front motor mounts to allow for some slack, and then lower the tail of the transmission by using that motor support. That will allow easier access to things like the clutch slave, starter, and upper bell housing bolts. Ideally, on a lift, you need the following:
and
Cheers,
Mike
On his car, no point to drop the entire engine if nothing else it to be done. However, to drop just the transmission on a lift takes a transmission jack to support the transmission when its being removed when on a lift. If the car is on jackstands, you can use floor jacks to do the same thing.
The two riskiest spots are
- when you reattach the transmission to the engine, you will need to align the spline shaft with the engine very carefully in order for the transmission and engine to mate correctly. If you drop or twist the transmission at this spot, you run the risk of bending the input shaft on the transmission - and that is expensive to fix. Don't freak out, its not that hard, but you need to be careful.
- when the transmission is attached, you will need to feed the clutch fork shaft into the housing and place it correctly. This can be a bear if you do not have clearances, and you run the risk of disturbing the open roller bearings that you need to insert into.
The above two points are much easier if the engine assembly is dropped, but its also doable on the lift by dropping just the transmission by itself. That saves a lot of time and costs.
The procedure if on a lift would be to support the motor just ahead of the bell housing, loosen (but not remove) the front motor mounts to allow for some slack, and then lower the tail of the transmission by using that motor support. That will allow easier access to things like the clutch slave, starter, and upper bell housing bolts. Ideally, on a lift, you need the following:
and
Cheers,
Mike
#14
At 40K, why do you need to replace the clutch?
If you know what a torque wrench is, and when/where to use it, then go ahead and drop the engine. Otherwise don't.
After 3 engine drops, I don't think it's easier to change the clutch w/o dropping the engine.
If you know what a torque wrench is, and when/where to use it, then go ahead and drop the engine. Otherwise don't.
After 3 engine drops, I don't think it's easier to change the clutch w/o dropping the engine.
#15