CLUTCH REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (My experience)
01-11-2013, 07:38 PM
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mexicali, Baja, Mexico
Posts: 157
CLUTCH REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (My experience)
Since my clutch slipped enough that I noticed it, it has been 2 weeks, going worse progressively. Finally yesterday, driving home from the movies, it happened...I couldn´t hold a gear past 2000 RPM, or the slip would make the engine race but no acceleration whatsoever...
So today I got a Luk clutch set from Pep boys (Since a friend works there, I received a 20 percent discount, so I only paid $117 with taxes included (Woohoo!!)
The kit came with clutch plate, clutch press, throw out bearing, clutch guide and some grease for the spline.
There are many write-ups on the forum, so I would just tell you the highlights:
Remove everything that is on the way, some things are not a ¨must¨ but make yourself the best room you can.
Maximas are tight to work into when removing the tranny, so be ready.
I thought I could get away without removing the passenger side axle...Wrong! When you try to pull out the tranny, that axle shaft will hold it fiercely, and there´s not enough room to pull the tranny free. Some people report they can, but I ended up doing it.
You definetly need a buddy to help you, for those who have done it on their own, I tip my hat!
I was thinking of just sanding the flywheel and reinstall it
(As it didn´t look that bad) ...But I reconsidered...All the 6 hrs invested to get to this point, just to reinstall and get clutch chatter? So I took the flywheel to be resurface and it will be ready tomorrow ($ 12 USD).
I had to get a 36 MM for the axle nut, well worth it.
An electric impact gun was a lot of help, highly recommended.
Once the clutch disc was removed, I noticed that it was glazed...Also the throw out bearing was grinding and about to give up, even when it didn´t make any noises yet...So a clutch kit its better that just getting the parts by separate, because you only do it once and for all.
So far it feels good to save 300 bucks and to accomplished a not so easy task, even though I´m halfway.
I have some general pictures, I will post them tomorrow, hopefully.
So today I got a Luk clutch set from Pep boys (Since a friend works there, I received a 20 percent discount, so I only paid $117 with taxes included (Woohoo!!)
The kit came with clutch plate, clutch press, throw out bearing, clutch guide and some grease for the spline.
There are many write-ups on the forum, so I would just tell you the highlights:
Remove everything that is on the way, some things are not a ¨must¨ but make yourself the best room you can.
Maximas are tight to work into when removing the tranny, so be ready.
I thought I could get away without removing the passenger side axle...Wrong! When you try to pull out the tranny, that axle shaft will hold it fiercely, and there´s not enough room to pull the tranny free. Some people report they can, but I ended up doing it.
You definetly need a buddy to help you, for those who have done it on their own, I tip my hat!
I was thinking of just sanding the flywheel and reinstall it
(As it didn´t look that bad) ...But I reconsidered...All the 6 hrs invested to get to this point, just to reinstall and get clutch chatter? So I took the flywheel to be resurface and it will be ready tomorrow ($ 12 USD).I had to get a 36 MM for the axle nut, well worth it.
An electric impact gun was a lot of help, highly recommended.
Once the clutch disc was removed, I noticed that it was glazed...Also the throw out bearing was grinding and about to give up, even when it didn´t make any noises yet...So a clutch kit its better that just getting the parts by separate, because you only do it once and for all.
So far it feels good to save 300 bucks and to accomplished a not so easy task, even though I´m halfway.
I have some general pictures, I will post them tomorrow, hopefully.
01-11-2013, 09:15 PM
#2
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mexicali, Baja, Mexico
Posts: 157
BTW, I was able to replace my Speed Sensor on the tranny (Now off the engine), with plenty of room of course. I bought the part, but I guess I was used to drive without the speedometer, just relying on the tachometer and the traffic average speed...And I thought it would be a PITA to do it without removing the things that where on my way.
01-12-2013, 09:59 PM
#5
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mexicali, Baja, Mexico
Posts: 157
Finally, God answered my prayers, we put everything back together and it worked PERFECT! The car started right away, and the clutch was working without any hiccup.
Impressions: The clutch bites harder, yet the pedal is much lighter, like never before. As for now I'm just babying the clutch...Does anyone knows how many miles of "Tender loving care" the clutch to break it in?
Impressions: The clutch bites harder, yet the pedal is much lighter, like never before. As for now I'm just babying the clutch...Does anyone knows how many miles of "Tender loving care" the clutch to break it in?
01-13-2013, 10:25 AM
#6
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Shingle Springs, CA
Posts: 34
I just recently removed my tranny, well not quite but all the bolts are loose and I am going to remove it this morning. I agree the write ups were an enormous help. Took about 5 hours to get to the point of getting all the tranny bolts loose for my first time. Probably would have taken 8-10 without the write ups.
Did you pull the cross member? If not how did you get that one 17mm head transmission bolt right above the axle holes? I had a hell of a time trying to break that thing loose. With the connected extensions and impact, I couldn't loosen it. Once I got some PB blaster on it though. It freed up. I tried getting to it between the tranny and cross member with a wrench but could not get enough torque on it.
Did you pull the cross member? If not how did you get that one 17mm head transmission bolt right above the axle holes? I had a hell of a time trying to break that thing loose. With the connected extensions and impact, I couldn't loosen it. Once I got some PB blaster on it though. It freed up. I tried getting to it between the tranny and cross member with a wrench but could not get enough torque on it.
Last edited by ct27gt; 01-13-2013 at 10:31 AM.
01-13-2013, 10:42 AM
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mexicali, Baja, Mexico
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No, I didn´t removethe cross-member, but was tempted...You have to figure out a way to remove it...It´s hard to explain, use any possible angle with the ratchet. Work from above, under it...To get this bolt I used a flexible head ratchet, if you don´t have one, you could also use a flexible extension and try to fit it in there. Definetly, get help from a buddy, two set of heads, eyes & hands, work better.
01-13-2013, 01:08 PM
#9
Biggest tip? GL4 only!
I've replaced the clutch and/or trans with and without removing the cross member. I'd recommend leaving it in since you'll need to remove the Y pipe, which when stock is a chore in itself, then you'll need a way to safely support the engine. There are some tricky bolts to reach, but where there's a will there's a way. I know one of my wrenches was ground down to fit in between the cross member and transmission. With a good assortment of tools the job can be done in a day. Heck I installed my VLSD alone, in the driveway, with hand tools, in a matter of hours. I think keeping track of all the nuts and bolts is the hardest part.
I've replaced the clutch and/or trans with and without removing the cross member. I'd recommend leaving it in since you'll need to remove the Y pipe, which when stock is a chore in itself, then you'll need a way to safely support the engine. There are some tricky bolts to reach, but where there's a will there's a way. I know one of my wrenches was ground down to fit in between the cross member and transmission. With a good assortment of tools the job can be done in a day. Heck I installed my VLSD alone, in the driveway, with hand tools, in a matter of hours. I think keeping track of all the nuts and bolts is the hardest part.
01-13-2013, 02:03 PM
#10
Finally, God answered my prayers, we put everything back together and it worked PERFECT! The car started right away, and the clutch was working without any hiccup.
Impressions: The clutch bites harder, yet the pedal is much lighter, like never before. As for now I'm just babying the clutch...Does anyone knows how many miles of "Tender loving care" the clutch to break it in?
Impressions: The clutch bites harder, yet the pedal is much lighter, like never before. As for now I'm just babying the clutch...Does anyone knows how many miles of "Tender loving care" the clutch to break it in?
01-13-2013, 03:04 PM
#11
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mexicali, Baja, Mexico
Posts: 157
01-13-2013, 03:51 PM
#15
My record time for taking off my tranny was 50 min lol rachet wrenches help out a lot for removing the bottom tranny bolts. And if you have a aftermaket ypipe gives you a lot of space to work too.
01-13-2013, 03:56 PM
#16
01-13-2013, 04:11 PM
#17
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01-13-2013, 04:14 PM
#18
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01-13-2013, 04:29 PM
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01-13-2013, 04:35 PM
#21
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01-13-2013, 04:35 PM
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