Am I capable of replacing clutch myself?
08-20-2007, 11:39 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location:
Posts: 15
Am I capable of replacing clutch myself?
I'm okay under the hood, having changed standard things like alternator and starters and such. But I've never tried replacing a clutch. My 82 (has an 88 5.0 with a T5 transmission) is pretty hard to shift and clunks hard quite often when shifting, so I suspect it is in need of a new clutch. The parts are less than $200, but most auto places around me want $600 to $1000 to do the job. Can I tackle this myself? How hard is it to drop the transmission myself? Should I not even try this? Give me your advice, please!
And in case anyone would want to lend me a hand, I live in Louisville, KY.
And in case anyone would want to lend me a hand, I live in Louisville, KY.
08-20-2007, 12:20 PM
#2
in limbo
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 7,300
RE: Am I capable of replacing clutch myself?
i've done on outside the car. simple install. now doing with motor in the car, everyone says its easy, just more stuff in your way. should take you a day.....weekend at most.
08-20-2007, 12:43 PM
#3
5th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Warner Robins,GA
Posts: 2,872
RE: Am I capable of replacing clutch myself?
Drop the tranny and your there. It is not difficult. If you have no experience wait till the weekend so you can give yourself a couple of days. Buy a manual, i have one on every car i own. It may not be the clutch, other people will chime in and maybe think it is something else but you may have to drop tranny anyway.
08-20-2007, 01:05 PM
#4
in limbo
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 7,300
RE: Am I capable of replacing clutch myself?
ORIGINAL: bzn5150
I'm okay under the hood, having changed standard things like alternator and starters and such. But I've never tried replacing a clutch. My 82 (has an 88 5.0 with a T5 transmission) is pretty hard to shift and clunks hard quite often when shifting, so I suspect it is in need of a new clutch. The parts are less than $200, but most auto places around me want $600 to $1000 to do the job. Can I tackle this myself? How hard is it to drop the transmission myself? Should I not even try this? Give me your advice, please!
And in case anyone would want to lend me a hand, I live in Louisville, KY.
I'm okay under the hood, having changed standard things like alternator and starters and such. But I've never tried replacing a clutch. My 82 (has an 88 5.0 with a T5 transmission) is pretty hard to shift and clunks hard quite often when shifting, so I suspect it is in need of a new clutch. The parts are less than $200, but most auto places around me want $600 to $1000 to do the job. Can I tackle this myself? How hard is it to drop the transmission myself? Should I not even try this? Give me your advice, please!
And in case anyone would want to lend me a hand, I live in Louisville, KY.
08-20-2007, 02:56 PM
#5
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MISSISSIPPI
Posts: 3,382
RE: Am I capable of replacing clutch myself?
I just changed out my clutch last weekend for the first time. It wasnt as hard as I thought it would be. I just had a friend help me with the tranny... this link will give you an idea of what is involved http://www.cartechbooks.com/vstore/s...5&CATID=21
08-20-2007, 02:57 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location:
Posts: 15
RE: Am I capable of replacing clutch myself?
In first gear, when I push the clutch in, it makes a bit of a clunking sound. I haven't had any problems shifting other than it sometimes doesn't want to downshift into second without double clutching it (rarely does this), and the clutch is pretty hard, but not super hard, to press in. Any thoughts? Oh, also, when shifting from gear to gear, I feel like I have to pull or push the shifter pretty hard, as though there are little catches I'm having to get past or something.
08-20-2007, 09:00 PM
#8
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Florida
Posts: 371
RE: Am I capable of replacing clutch myself?
I'm not sure you need a clutch, a tranny, or to adjust the clutch. If you have done starters/alternators, basic tune-ups, with a little patience you can do a clutch. There are a few things I would recommend:
1. Take pictures of how it all looks, lots of them, before you start wrenching and then can't remember wherethat bolt goes.
2. As you remove bolts and pieces, clean them, label them, and put them where you won't loose them, don't ask me how I know this.
3. Consider having the tranny checked out while you have it out, it is a lot cheaper when you bring it to a shop, take it home and install it yourself.
4. Firewall adjuster and aftermarket quadrant if you don't have one is good.
5. Ask a friend to help, T5's aren't really a heavy tranny, but it hurts when they fall on you andandare a little tricky to juggle by yourself.
6. When I did mine last year, someone on this site was nice enough to tell me to push the clutch pedal in when the tranny would not mate the last quater inch to the motor, this really worked for me.
7. Get a good quality pilot bearing
8. Get a good clutch
Most of this you probably already know, but in case you didn't, hope it helps!
Matt
1. Take pictures of how it all looks, lots of them, before you start wrenching and then can't remember wherethat bolt goes.
2. As you remove bolts and pieces, clean them, label them, and put them where you won't loose them, don't ask me how I know this.
3. Consider having the tranny checked out while you have it out, it is a lot cheaper when you bring it to a shop, take it home and install it yourself.
4. Firewall adjuster and aftermarket quadrant if you don't have one is good.
5. Ask a friend to help, T5's aren't really a heavy tranny, but it hurts when they fall on you andandare a little tricky to juggle by yourself.
6. When I did mine last year, someone on this site was nice enough to tell me to push the clutch pedal in when the tranny would not mate the last quater inch to the motor, this really worked for me.
7. Get a good quality pilot bearing
8. Get a good clutch
Most of this you probably already know, but in case you didn't, hope it helps!
Matt
08-20-2007, 09:06 PM
#9
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: new jersey
Posts: 6,635
RE: Am I capable of replacing clutch myself?
its pretty straigh forward and easy. how ever you may need a torch if your exhaust bolts are rusted and stuck. other than that exhaust comes down then the bolts that hold the drive shaft to the rear. after that get a jack under the trans. take the trany mount out and then start unbolting the trany and it will slide right out. just dont drop it on yourself or the ground. make sure you get your fly wheel replaced or turned to get rid of all the heat cracks and so its no a mirror finish anymore
08-20-2007, 09:06 PM
#10
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: st clair shores MI
Posts: 6,028
RE: Am I capable of replacing clutch myself?
i don't hink you need a clutch either......synchros are the "hard shifting" culprit, you need a rebuild is my guess.
after you have done a clutch once......you can do it by yourself in 2 hours labor time. real time is more since you should always have your flywheel resurfaced, but super super easy
like stated......if you need a rebuild you will save mucho dinero by bringing it in, and when you have it out ? you can view the clutch and pressure plate.
after you have done a clutch once......you can do it by yourself in 2 hours labor time. real time is more since you should always have your flywheel resurfaced, but super super easy
like stated......if you need a rebuild you will save mucho dinero by bringing it in, and when you have it out ? you can view the clutch and pressure plate.