Clutch Replacent tips and tricks?

[LeaThaL]

hey all

im just about to embark on my first clutch replacement, ive done heeeeaps of other mechanical work but never a clutch so i dont wanna bugger it up

i did a search and not much really came up on here, and youtube is pretty ghey for this stuff so i wanted to know from pros

it is on a honda FWD but i dont see how it would really be different

ive got a new replacent exedy with throwout etc etc but just for my sake...

• Do i need to replace the bolts on the outside of the clutch once removed or can i just clean then and use threadlocker?
• same with flywheel bolts? or is a cleanup and threadlocker fine?
• whats the best way to align the clutch as ive never done so before
• and do i grease up the input shaft, throwout bearing and the centershaft input on the clutch plate?

i can document everything with pics to use in a tech thread if wanted as i document everything i do anyways

cheers in advance

[Hen]

If you're reasonably mechanically competent it's not a tricky job. To answer your questions:
- I haven't replaced these bolts (unless I snapped them while tightening), nor used loctite, and haven't had issues. Not to say it's a bad idea, but not 100% necessary either.
- Flywheel bolts **should** be replaced. I tend to reuse them a few times if I know their history. I use a little of the weak loctite on the threads and a little oil under the bolt head.
- You can use a clutch alignment tool, or by eye (align centre splines in the middle of the clutch fingers) or by feel (align the outer edge of the clutch disc with the outer edge of the pressure plate)
- Grease the input shaft (and where the throwout bearing carrier slides back and forth on the gearbox snout). Not too sure what you mean by the other two.

Other things to watch out for, don't let the gearbox hang with the input shaft still in the clutch splines. Once it's unbolted from the block (and off the locating dowels) support the box and remove it entirely. And double check that the clutch plate does actually fit the input shaft splines before fitting it up.

Good luck
Hen

[SillyCarS]

- You can use a clutch alignment tool, or by eye (align centre splines in the middle of the clutch fingers) or by feel (align the outer edge of the clutch disc with the outer edge of the pressure plate)

a good summary by hen

with the 'clutch alignment tool' just "machine" an old broom handle and shove it in there to line up the friction plate with the box and dont be afraid to be a little rough when you shove the box on

[LeaThaL]

awesome stuff guys thanks heaps!

im hoping this fixes the problems shes having with her beast so i can go back to the toyota

[DrNick]

I think its all pretty much covered there I also put a dab of grease on the bit of the fork that touches the release bearing, you can see two bits will be worn shiny, just a dab on each of them. The Exedy kit I used last week came with its own tube of nice purple grease to use. There was about 2-3ml of the stuff in there so that should give you an idea of how little you need.

I reused the bolts and put Loctite 242 on them as this was a gutless fwd. Hen is right, it is advisable to change them. I always change them on the supra, but this is a more gutless fwd and i wasnt really scared of things flying apart so much lol

[andrew_mx83]

i never really change the bolts.

a great clutch aligning tool is an input spline from an old 'box, just lop it off with a grinder. dont do it by eye u wont get it right.
if u havent blown a box u can use as a donor for the shaft ur not trying hard enough. oh thats right its a honda

[LeaThaL]

i never really change the bolts.

a great clutch aligning tool is an input spline from an old 'box, just lop it off with a grinder. dont do it by eye u wont get it right.
if u havent blown a box u can use as a donor for the shaft ur not trying hard enough. oh thats right its a honda

im not flaming you but....
1. its the girlfriends car she prob drives 90kms a week to work and..
2. its a H22A swapped motor with a LSD box, k&n pannel filter and a full 2.5 to 3' system..... its a typical REAL honda, not some ricer owned EG with stock carbied motor and loads of chrome "v-tec" stickers its a fair beast!

thanks for the tips guys, i think i will replace the bolts for the sake of $30

[JoJo]

i never really change the bolts.

a great clutch aligning tool is an input spline from an old 'box, just lop it off with a grinder. dont do it by eye u wont get it right.
if u havent blown a box u can use as a donor for the shaft ur not trying hard enough. oh thats right its a honda

I have done countless clutches on differant cars and have NEVER used an aligning tool. Never had a problem........

But I guess, practice makes perfect. I wouldn't say U wont get it right, just cause you cant......

[oldeskewltoy]

or by eye (align centre splines in the middle of the clutch fingers) or by feel (align the outer edge of the clutch disc with the outer edge of the pressure plate)

Hen

this is in a rwd Corolla... but a clutch is a clutch for the most part)

[LeaThaL]

thanks oldeskewletoy, good pics

[andrew_mx83]

its a fair beast!

so it blew the box then? or wasnt she trying hard enough?



fair enough if people do em by eye, i only ever wanna lift the box up once so i make sure everything is 100% right before i try. nothing worse than lying on ur back with a box on ur chest then finding out the splines arent aligned. that sucks balls.

[LeaThaL]

nah its never blow anything yet apart from a water pump

i think ill just get a aligning tool for the sake of it

cheers again for all the info guys!