While driving slowly in a parking lot today I engaged my clutch pedal and it felt like I broke something. The clutch pedal got stiffer, and made light grinding noises when I would press it in. The clutch stopped working after that. I was able to make it home with no clutch. By the time i made it home the hardness of the clutch pedal went away but now it sticks to the floor and feels like it’s disconnected.

A couple years ago I snapped the fork on the clutch and it felt very similar to today, only that I remember having some clutch to work with then. I'm thinking I snapped the clutch fork again and possibly ruined the hydraulic unit. Now I need to find the time to tear it apart to see what happened.

If anyone has any insights I'd love to hear them, Thanks.

-Ray

 

It sounds like you poked the fork pivot point through the fork itself. If you can physically look at it somehow with a mirror or access hole, look for this.

Tim

 

Definately sounds like the clutch release fork. Check it out through the service port.

 

Thanks for the help fellas. I opened up the service window and sure enough the fork is broken at the mid point where it pivots on the shaft its mounted on. I think I broke the hydraulic unit as well, it leaked out allot of brake fluid when i removed it and the pushrod fell apart.

Questions:

Does the hydraulic arm push or pull on the clutch release fork? I think it pushes on it, but I'm not sure.

I've already began preparations for the job. I was looking into transmission jacks, any one know of any good deals out there. This is the best I could find:

http://www.mile-x.com/johndow12ton.html

or

http://www.mile-x.com/norco12ton.html


I'm gonna need all the Mazda SST's for the job anyone know what the best deal is on these?

Thanks allot

 

You can beleive me or not, but I'm going to tell you the truth,,, forget about the transmission jack, it's a waste of money. I have had my transmission out twice and back in twice. The first time I tried to use the transmission jack and it took me like 3 hours to get the damn thing back in to the car. (I pulled the tranny the first time with the engine still connected).
When I had to pull the tranny out the second time (30 miles later, don't ask) I undid all the bolts and had a friend hold up the back of the transmission and I lowered the transmission down on my chest and then rolled it over on the floor. (I'm not a big guy at all, I'm only 156lbs) Anyways, when I went to put it back in I did the reverse I had a friend help me I lifted the front he lifted the back, I got things about lined up, when the input shaft didn't perfectly line up the guy in the back has the driveshaft installed and turned the driveshaft to line up the splines of the transmission to the engine. Basically it took us all of 45 seconds to actually lift up the tranny line it up and put a bolt in the housing to hold the tranny to the engine.

Sorry about the long post, but I feel very proud of this accomplishment.

Good luck!

 

Don't worry about an SST. All you need to do is support the back end of the engine from coming down. You can use an engine hoist tied to the rear engine loop, or possibly block up the engine underneath or use a floor jack carefully. I am currently pulling my engine and I placed the rear wheels on ramps and placed 4 6x6 posts under each wheel (2 side by side, 2 high) This gave me plenty of clearance to remove the tranny just as Matthew described.

You should be able to rent an engine hoist for about $25 a day from an auto parts store or rent-it place.

Good Luck,
Tim

PS While out, better check your clutch/PP/TOBearing and remember to lubricate the pivot point with some hi temp grease before reassembling.

 

When you pull a trans, the back of the engine wants to go up, not down!

I insert a piece of wood between the front oil pan cover(where it bolts to the front housing) and the frame rail below it. We use a jack to get the trans under and off the ground, then lift it off and up into place.


.

 

This is what I used to hold up the engine. Completely shade tree, however it did the job very well.

 

Awsome , thanks guys. So....the transmission jack seems a little overkill huh? Alright. And the back of the engine needs to stay down. cool.

What about the SST's, like the:
Clutch alignment tool
Pilot bearing removal tool
Flywheel stopper

Whats the deal on these?

Thank you all for the help.