OK, long(er) story short(er) I recently picked up an rx7 from a buddy of mine, just needed the throwout bearing installed (he had bought a whole new clutch kit, only needed the throwout-bearing).
Got everything put back in, but when I got it started and all the other kinks out of the car (it had been sitting for a year or so), the clutch would slip like mad. Guy I got it from said he installed a brand new clutch 3 weeks before it went out, I'm guessing he didn't use a new throwout bearing. Anyways, I pulled the tranny out the other day, thinking that the bearing was put in wrong. So I made sure it was in right this time, and threw the tranny back in. Now, I just stopped, because there is no play in the arm (the one that moves the bearing) at all, and not all of the bolts are even in. If I finished putting everything back together, is it jsut gonna slip again? I know that the first time the tranny was in and it slipped badly (like i couldn't really drive the car at all without it slipping) there was no play in it either, it was completely stiff. I didn't pull the clutch out since he said it never slipped and it was good/new, plus I dont have the alignment tool to get it back in. Before I rip everything back apart, just wanted some advise from you rx7 gurus out there, any and all would be much appreciated.

One more thing i should add, is there are two lips in the bearing that slips on to the shaft. it's like a little step in the middle, and it feels like that gets stuck on the lip of the shaft if you push the bearing out far enough. I can't really tell if the bearing would go this far during installed use, but thought I should add that in hope it aids in finding the solution of my problem.

 

Also thought I should add that I have read through the tranny write-up in the archive, and didn't see anything close to my problem. Also, dude I got it from says it has a lightened flywheel, not sure of the brand, weight, or metal used. Doubt that'll be a problem, but I really wanna get my damn car running.

 

Anyone have any words of advice so I don't end up screwing up my car?

 

The clutch alignment tool is $2 or something from Autzone.

 

maybe the previous owner put the wrong cluch in it. there should be some free play in it where it is not engaged to the pressure plate.

 

That's what I thought too. But the thing is, the guy I got it from drove it around before the bearing went out, with no problems. He's also a good friend of mine, with no reason to lie to me about anything, and I knew the whole story on the car long before I was even thinking about buying it. I bolted everything back together yesterday, and went to start it up but it didn't turn over. Haven't had a chance to see what came disconnected since my days off are over 'til at least the end of the weekend. I've been flat broke, couldn't even spare money for a clutch alignment tool, but I'm gonna pick one up on friday and hope nothing is terribly wrong.