For those of you who have done a clutch job....
 

Hey guys,

How many of you dropped the crossmember?

I am just curious because if I need to do a clutch in the future, I fear that if I take the the bolts off on the crossmember/core support, that I will never be able to get them back in, and be stuck doing a core support at that moment. I plan on replacing the core support soon too.

So was anyone able to access the shift linkage bolts without dropping the crossmember and successfully do the clutch job without removing it?

Thanks guys,
Matt

go for it. Totally doable without dropping the cross member

i did it last year didnt remove cross member didnt remove exhaust either pretty easy helps if u have some help i had none it took me bout 4 hours i had impact tools so that helped and a garage

Okay cool. I've done 2 clutches on this car already and both times I took the crossmember out. I was pretty sure the 2nd time I did it I realized how it seemed unnecessary, but I just haven't had a chance to get under the car to look.

i never touch the cross member, i can get it done in 2 hours now.

i believe that bolt on the shift linkage is a 14mm and u can get a off set wrench and it comes off fine seems tight but it is ttaly doable

You'll be fine not removing the cross member with a manual.

I just think it makes getting the tranny off way easier, but I understand your dilema. I dropped mine to put in bushings while removing the tranny, I forgot I had bought the bushings, so even thought I didn't want to drop the crossmember, in the end it made my life easier.

Yes, I will agree with that statement

Ratcheting wrenches work wonders.

Spare 12mm, IIRC, ground down for better access to the drain plug.

Don't have to remove the crossmember. Done it bout 4 times and never messed with the crossmember. With the right tools, its easy.

I didn't drop it, but loosening the two crossmember-frame bolts at the front just a half inch or so was the only way to get the lower bellhousing bolts out. Otherwise they were trapped in by the crossmember. The clearances were so close though that you may not run into this problem.