General changing clutch

[smokeme]

Whats the easiest way to change the clutch?Any tips, i´ll be doing mine this week and i´ve never done it on a FWD car before. A link to a write up would be helpful (i´m getting a manual someday hopefully).Thanx for any help[8D]

 

[steveyensen]

First get both the Haynes and Porter manuals.

I've done the job, actually replacing the 4-speed gearbox with a 5-speeder, as well as the clutch.

The gearbox must be removed from the car. It's not an easy job, depending how much the bottom bracket balljoints have seized. John H has done it too, I believe, and this is a major subject for a FAQ.

Steve the geriatric Panda and Beagle freak, but can't see no problem in running a Brava in the meantime ...

 

[John H]

Originally posted by steveyensen
First get both the Haynes and Porter manuals.

I've done the job, actually replacing the 4-speed gearbox with a 5-speeder, as well as the clutch.

The gearbox must be removed from the car. It's not an easy job, depending how much the bottom bracket balljoints have seized. John H has done it too, I believe, and this is a major subject for a FAQ.

I haven't, yet... "It's on my "to do" list" .. like the head gasket:I

I'm hoping to get some time, one day....

In that area I have done:
inboard driveshaft boots.
one outboard boot (and dismantled and regreased the CV joint).
brake disks.

I'd agree with Steve that the bottom joint can be a pig to undo (it broke one of my splitters), and you almost* certainly have to separate those joints to get the driveshafts out before you get the gearbox out.


Regards


John H

* it may be possible to do the job by pulling the suspension partially to bits instead, on the gearbox side, and undoing the centre hub nut only on the other.
Note: AFAIK this is untried as far as the gearbox job goes, but I did the outboard boot without splitting the bottom joint.

 

[smokeme]

Anything else i should change while the tranny iout?Thanx

 

[steveyensen]

The bottom bracker balljoints broke all 3 of my splitters, and they were brand-new

Ensure you change the clutch release bearing too, although this is usually part of the kit (at least with Quintin-Hazell ones) . A complete kit should consist of the clutch plate, cover and release bearing. Check the oil seal too, if there is any oil on the clutch plate then it may need renewing

Steve the geriatric Panda and Beagle freak, but can't see no problem in running a Brava in the meantime ...

 

[smokeme]

I got the tranny out (used a crowbar to separate the balljoints) i´m trying to get a digicam to post pics of the process. Took me about 2 hours to take it all apart, nothing new installed yet so i can get some shots first.

 

[steveyensen]

I'd check the rubber boots on the balljoints to see if you haven't damaged them. A crowbar? Now why didn't I think of that?

You will need to support the engine before you remove the gearbox as one of the mountings holds the engine in place too.

You do have a manual don't you?

Steve the geriatric Panda and Beagle freak, but can't see no problem in running a Brava in the meantime ...

 

[smokeme]

I got haynes only, but my version (portuguese)doesn´t show half of what my friends english version shows (mainly in the tranny section so i have to do it by eye, hence my asking this question to begin with)i think its a misprint but the page numbers match.

 

[yellow911turbo]

liar! you said you'd post pics? i'll be doing my clutch in a couple of weeks and i'll try to make a complete write-up of it. anyone have anything to add to this? i have a haynes. i've never done a clutch job before, but i'll have help from more experienced.

 

[smokeme]

liar! you said you'd post pics? i'll be doing my clutch in a couple of weeks and i'll try to make a complete write-up of it. anyone have anything to add to this? i have a haynes. i've never done a clutch job before, but i'll have help from more experienced.

It's not nice to flame people that way, if you searched hard enough you would know i don't have highspeed at the moment hence the delays, and the panda faq. It's a fairly simple job, if you can pull the ball joint apart you'll get it done in no time. But if you disassemble the suspension it take longer. I can't promisse when i'll log back on to read any replies.Sorry

 

[yellow911turbo]

It's not nice to flame people that way...

i was joking. i was hoping to come accross with sarcasm. i already did the clutch change. took me and a friend of mine 2 days to do it, but that's with a lot of beer, car on blocks and no jack for the engine/tranny. we gave up the first day because the tranny just wouldn't come off. the next day we realized taht we didn't get the lower dustcover off. the tranny isn't very heavy at all. if we had noticed that the dust cover the first day, we could have had the clutch changed in about 4 hours total even with the lacking "necessities" and uncomforts. if anyone is scared of doing it, like i was since it was my first clutch change, you shouldn't be. happy motoring. ...or is that for the mini? :hm: