School me on Car Clutches

[csmutty]

So I have deduced that the foci needs a new clutch. Any brands that are better than others? Should I spend more money on a medium duty race clutch for more longevity?

I am going to be undertaking this repair by myself. This is what I was looking at.

And just for a bit of background...I do like to drive spirited.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...UT3112109.html

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...3-1704063.html

[TheIglu]

Not foci, it is pronounced "FUCK-US".

I'd go with a OEM replacement. It'll be miserable driving around with a high grab clutch once you get a job that requires a commute in traffic.

[Cerberus]

*coils springs > diaphragm spring in the pressure plate
*a bearing-ed throw-out is better than a graphite thrust surface
*if you have a needle bearing for the pilot bearing/bushing (supports tip of input shaft on trans) replace it, and pay the utmost attention to installing it properly, and keeping it free of contaminants.
*also, getting the transmission into place without damaging the pilot is made easiest with some home-made guide studs (long bolts, cut off head, grind taper to aid alignment and slotted for easy removal)
*clean the flywheel friction surface and pressure plate with a good solvent (brake clean) to remove and rust inhibitor.
*follow instructions to the T

[stoinkythepig]

So I have deduced that the foci needs a new clutch. Any brands that are better than others? Should I spend more money on a medium duty race clutch for more longevity?

I am going to be undertaking this repair by myself. This is what I was looking at.

And just for a bit of background...I do like to drive spirited.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...UT3112109.html

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...3-1704063.html

I would avoid parts made in China. Sachs makes nice stuff (at least they used to, might be crap now???), but I don't think the kit you showed is any more rugged than OEM.

Price parts at a few local stores. Online auto parts usually aren't much less expensive than buying local.

If the inner CV joints are attached with Torx or socket head cap screws, make sure they are completely cleaned out before you insert a tool and try to take them out.

Make sure you get an alignment tool.

Use a transmission jack. You don't want to hang the transmission from the input shaft, the seal on it will fail shortly afterwards...

[gadget]

Also, follow the applicable advice from these guys.

It was invaluable when I did mine last summer.

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...clipse-gt.html

[SRTie4k]

IMHO, FWD clutches are a real bitch if you don't have a buddy. Throw a few beers at someone (preferably on the larger side) to bench-press the tranny up into position when you're trying to get the bolts back in.

If you have a tranny jack, forget all of the above.

[dsmclown]

Throw a few beers at someone (preferably on the larger side) to bench-press the tranny up into position when you're trying to get the bolts back in.

++

If you're forced to do it alone and don't have a tranny jack but happen to have an engine hoist... use that.

If you've done no power adders (only option in a fuckess..?), it's probably not woth an aftermarket clutch with a heaver pressure plate. I've gathered that (in the dsm world) most aftermarket TOBs (throw out bearings) are not as good as OEM. A heavier PP will wear down a TOB faster than a stock PP (probably not signifficantly enough to care though).

Cool car though

[slammp]

Last clutch I did was on a FWD toyota about ten years ago - it sucked SOOOO bad that it was literally the last clutch I ever did - Ill pay the shop every time. Breaks, tune ups, exhaust, water pumps, etc Ill tackle no problem but NEVER another clutch. Some jobs are worth every penny the shop charges.

[csmutty]

Thanks guys. We have a lot of jacks and my uncle and dad are around so I should be good. And no the car is bone stock.

[duey]

I've never owned a clutch of any brand that last longer and more reliable than OEM period. Its pretty much a no brainer to stick with it in your case since the car is stock, and even if you plan on modding it a little bit with basic bolt-on's a stock clutch is more than adequate.

[Rambunctous]

Print up the price from here http://rockauto.com/ and see if your local Advance Auto Parts will price match. Get the clutch kit and its a lifetime warranty. It will be 1/4 the price of OEM and prolly from the same jobber.

[csmutty]

Thanks. Oem is way too expensive....no way. Ill check out that site.

[imstuner]

Oem for the win

[number9]

Have spent zillions of dollars at Rock Auto, always happy

[csmutty]

Ok update: Just got the tranny out last night. Was a pita. Had to drop the subframe and steering rack to get enough clearance to slide the tranny off. My cousin also referred me to this site...VERY helpful.

www.alldatadiy.com

Subscription is easily worth the money. I got the 5 year one for $45.

As of last night:

[gadget]

Well, there's yer problem....the wheel fell off and the tranny fell out..

yer should have got a few guys to lift it

[csmutty]

Well, there's yer problem....the wheel fell off and the tranny fell out..

yer should have got a few guys to lift it

To lift what lol?

[Rambunctous]

Engine lift, 3 flloor jacks, car lift...crap I did that by myself with a bottle jack in the street at night with a flashlight when I was a youngin......Glad tp c ya doin it.

[SRTie4k]

Removing the tranny is the easy part. Have fun getting it back in

Here's a hint - the crank bolt is your friend.

[KB]

On the vw's I have done you actually need to lift the engine out of the car and up abut 6 inches to rotate the transaxle to clean the subframe.

PILOT bearing DON'T forget to do this part. You will need to rent the puller to get the old one out. By pilot bearing I mean the one inside the hole in the middle of the flywheel. RENT THE BEARING PULLER for it. Thank me later!

Good luck yound man.

KB

[csmutty]

Engine lift, 3 flloor jacks, car lift...crap I did that by myself with a bottle jack in the street at night with a flashlight when I was a youngin......Glad tp c ya doin it.

Lift is to hold up the car since the wheels are off. One floor jack is to hold up the subframe. The other 2 were to lower the tranny. Don't really see how it could have been done with less...

On the vw's I have done you actually need to lift the engine out of the car and up abut 6 inches to rotate the transaxle to clean the subframe.

PILOT bearing DON'T forget to do this part. You will need to rent the puller to get the old one out. By pilot bearing I mean the one inside the hole in the middle of the flywheel. RENT THE BEARING PULLER for it. Thank me later!

Good luck yound man.

KB

Yeah I thought about the pilot bearing, and then decided against it.

[SSearchVT]

Free advice - Make sure to slide the new clutch plate onto the transmission input shaft before bolting up the pressure plate. This lets you know if the splines match...

Take the spark plugs out of the engine. Put a ratchet wrench on the main pulley bolt - Turn the engine slowly while lining up the transmission and block.

As for the pilot bearing, throw-out bearing (or slave cylinder), rear main seal (if it's easy to get out) - They're relatively cheap parts and it's a case of 'while you're in there'...

[csmutty]

Free advice - Make sure to slide the new clutch plate onto the transmission input shaft before bolting up the pressure plate. This lets you know if the splines match...

Take the spark plugs out of the engine. Put a ratchet wrench on the main pulley bolt - Turn the engine slowly while lining up the transmission and block.

As for the pilot bearing, throw-out bearing (or slave cylinder), rear main seal (if it's easy to get out) - They're relatively cheap parts and it's a case of 'while you're in there'...

Yeah I just don't have the time or inclination to do the pilot or rear main seal. The car is in my uncle and aunts garage and I want to get it out of there ASAP so they can have it back.

[TheIglu]

For the short money and the 15 minutes it'll take to do the pilot bearing/main seal, you'd be an idiot not to.

Ya know, unless you enjoyed this whole ordeal and wanted to do it again before this new clutch wears out.

[obsolete]

Do the pilot bearing. Seriously.