This is my first encounter of replacing a clutch and I am having difficuly in removing the flywheel nut on my 1983 RX7. Am I just not strong enough and not putting enough muscle behind it or are the thread reversed. I doubt if the threads are reversed, but I wanted to check before I prop my back up against the wall and push with full force with my legs.

 

dude why are you taking the flywheel off to replace the clutch?

 

the threads are not reversed.

and im assuming he's taking the flywheel off to have it machined, which isn't a bad idea at all, although its not always necessary. Now as for getting the nut off, find somebody with an impact wrench, it will make your life a million times easier, it usually spins right off after a couple of seconds. If not, your gonna need a pretty big cheater bar, those things are bastards.

After you get the nut loose, your going to need a flywheel puller, or some sort of puller to get it off the eccentric shaft, it pressed on pretty good. Word to the wise, keep the flywheel nut loosely on when pulling the flywheel, cause it'll pop off pretty hard when it breaks loose, and you dont want it flying off into your face.

good luck!

 

the big nut is on there with almost 400lbs torq.

 

54mm socket, that should work with a impact..

 

or 2 1/8

 

nuhh! must use metric!

 

!!! do the conversion. !!!

 

I couldn't find a 54mm in 6 point impact style so I had to use a 2 1/8". It fits a little sloppily, but it's ok.

 

400 ft lbs! My dewalt 18Volt DW059 puts out 300, so I bet that'll work.

By all means use an impact wrench. Do NOT take a chance on twisting off some expensive threads.

Traditionally, and I don't advise this, if the impact wrench doesn't do it you can play the torch over it with a soft flame (like brazing) to try to expand it a little, but then you're in a race with wrecking some bearings.

If the impact wrench doesn't work at first, get a bigger one! That rat-a-tat-tat tool is popular for a reason.

B

 

if you need a 54 mm socket go to Sears and buy one (for a fortune) then return it the next day for a refund and tell them it didn't fit right. I've been doing that for 50 years for Big Weird sockets you use once in a lifetime. Buy something else from Sears that you use regularly with the refund.

B

 

The 54mm Craftsman socket is super pricey. I think its around $75-90, I can't exactly remember how much it was in one of their catalogs. The 2 1/8th socket I picked up at the store was only around $25.

 

I bought the 2 1/8th socket, a 1/2 drive to 3/4 adapter for said socket, and a couple other various other small tools a friend of mine needed at sears. My socket ended up being free when I totalled up the receipt later on to calculate what my friend owed me.

I'm not gonna complain.

 

Thanks for all of the advice.
I borrowed a impact wrench - Nut off in 15 seconds
Used some of the techniques that were listed in another forum about taking off the flywheel and it came off in 30 sec. Got the flywheel re-surfaced and put back on.
Thanks
Bob

 

400 pounds is exaggerated...it's supposed to be torqued to 300 ft. lbs. Still alot, but not as bad as 400.

Rich

 

12inch cheater and a hammer works wonders

 

mazda spec is like 290-360.

 

Dont forget there is a spacer/washer under the nut that should have a edge folded aroudn the nut that you have to straighten out b4 you can take the nut off the e shaft. use an impact it will keep you from blowing your o ring out. If you know what i mean

 

I hear that's not a cool thing to be doing these days.

 

Someone posted using a puller. Just spin the nut onto the e-shaft for 5-6 threads, then take a plastic hammer and whack it a few times. The flywheel pops right off. It's like taking out tie rod ends. The impact of the hammer separates the tapered parts.