I am considering replacing the clutch accumulator on my 2003 996 Turbo. My car is stock with 8k miles. The clutch is rock hard on cold start up, and vague and rubbery when running.

I understand that there is limited working space, and it is difficult to tighten the new accumulator. I have a 4 post car lift at home.

There have been posts about modifying a 27mm open wrench.

My questions are: Does the wrench need to be shorter? Or does the wrench need to be thinned out at the end? Is there a better way to tighten the accumulator?

Here's a pic from Danyol's very helpful DIY accumulator write-up:



Thread link:

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-turb...-question.html

Thanks,
Dean

 

I've post it on 6speed but in case here it is: That's a picture of mine. Look at the bend I did to facilitate the job.... Also I had to shave it down to .250 (1/4").

 

jpflip,

THANK YOU! How hard was it to bend the wrench? When you say "shave it down," do you mean thin out the thickness of the head?

What do you think of getting a thin 27mm open wrench, and bending it?

How about a crow's foot wrench?

 

The crow foot you are showing me won't get in because the jaws are closed a little at the end. And I think you won't be able to get the ratchet head or a pry bar 3/8 onto the crow foot due to the bell shape of the accumulator and the little space between the accumulator and the slave. I did some modification on one of the previous pictures to show you the shaving that has to be done. I bought the cheapest wrench available ($20.00) and to bend it I just used a vise and a hammer with heat from a small propane torch.

 

Has anyone had success replacing their clutch accumulator with a strap wrench or without modifying a wrench? What tools do shops normally use to get the accumulator on and off? Thanks.

Sorry, I know. Way old thread. But I'm thinking of doing this job and didn't want to start a new thread.

 

I used a 27mm, bicycle headset wrench. Worked perfectly.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...TF8&th=1&psc=1

 

Thanks. That seems like the perfect tool! Except so far I can't find it in Canada 😭

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correct me if I am wrong but there are two sizes of wrench for the accumulator, some are 27mm and can't remember what the other one is. Are you using a hoist? what area of Canada are you in?

 

I had the transmission removed by someone who knew what they were doing; I would be too worried about screwing something up with my big meaty paws.

 

Sorry if this topic has been beat to death, but rather than replacing the failure prone accumulator, would you not rather run a GT2 slave conversion using either the BBI or the excellent EVOMS kit?

If not, hit up a local bike shop if you need a 27mm headset wrench, they'll be able to order it easily. Or use eBay.

 

I'm in Vancouver BC. I'd be doing it on jack stands. I have a new accumulator. I'll check the sizing of that one later.

 

I used a ground down large crows foot wrench which worked well, at least takes out the bending step for you. Took about 20 mins of grinding and two test fits, if you have access to a bench grinder it's pretty easy.

One tip, the space is quite constrained so it can be hard to get enough force on the wrench. I ultimately got it off by using another wrench on the back of my socket to multiply the force. Great trick and almost required if you plan to do the slave cylinder too. Good luck, the accumulator removal is easy just make sure to get it back on tight enough, the clutch slave cylinder will probably die soon so keep an eye on your pentosin levels in front and back.

 

It is 27mm on the newer ones (mine was).

Also, you probably know but be really careful about pentosin on rubber hoses etc. Wrap everything up in plastic and put paper towels all over that. Great tip I found is to put a plastic gallon bag over the accumulator before the last couple turns to contain most of the pentosin as you bring it down.

 

Back when I had an accumulator, I used a strap wrench to put the new one on... worked fine. I ended up going the OEM gt2 route. Never have had to think about my clutch since.

 

Just to follow up, and for future reference, I got mine off with this. It took a huge amount of torque to get it off but pretty straightforward. I'm surprised how well it gripped. Cheers.