I've never done a clutch b4 in my life. Is this hard to do on these cars? I will probably buy a hanes manual to help out, but what is involved? does the engine have to be pulled? or can the tranny just be split as it sits??

 

well you are going to have to pull the engine or drop the tranny. I you are like most people and dont have a freaking lift at your house then its generally easier to pull the engine.

Replacing the clutch is not hard, make sure you use the alignment tool though! While the motor is out, its generally a good idea to go ahead and replace the pilot bearing and the throughout bearing as well.

 

i just did it myself. not that hard really and its only my 2nd clutch replacement. if you are gonna pull the pilot bearing, the removing tool makes it really easy, especially if the bearing is really on there. there's only 4 bolts and a nut-and-bolt connecting the tranny to the engine. also, if you dont have a lift, try to find a tranny jack or place someting flat on your rolling floor jack. otherwise it could be pretty awkward trying to pull the tranny while underneath the car.

i got lucky, i work for the dealership.

 

Actually, I think dropping the tranny is much easier. Put the car up on jack stands, put another jack stand under the engine to support it. Unbolt driveshaft from diff, pull out of tranny. Put the jack on the tranny, unclip all the electrical connections, take off starter, unbolt tranny. Now, slide the transmission back, getting the shaft out of the clutch, and then let the jack down, slide the tranny out from under the car and start working on getting the clutch off.

Also, if you have any muscle on you, you don't really need the jack under the tranny, it's light enough to take off and put back in with just your hands(it's how I did it, made putting the shaft back in much easier). But it's not my fault if you're too weak and you drop the tranny on yourself when your under the car

 

i just put a clutch in my car

it was quite easy

 

How high do you have to get the car so that the transmission will comeout from underneath? My clutch is on the verge of death, so I will probably be attempting this operation shortly.

 

i do it all the time... but i get paid... im a mobile mechanic and specialis in rotors love the 1st gens. i can go a 1st gen in about 6 hours with no special tools or air tools... id say go get some TALL stands at least 18" more in the 20-25" area so you can get the tranny out and clean it up while its out. start with draing the tranny after you get the car in the air, while this is doing remove the shifter. plug the tranny drain and move the pan. drop the drive shaft.. MARKL it on the shaft and the diff flange so u get it "rebalanced" when u install it. yank the heat sheilds remove the starter and batt. cable(from batt.) 7 bolts i think and the x member ad its down... have 2 jacks 1 for the *** of the motor and 1 for the tranny.

 

i just jacked my car up and raised the jackstands all the way.. worked just fine