Hyperite

My clutch has been doing the slip slip slip for quite some time now, and I'm finally going to drop in an ACT Street/Strip and 9.5 flywheel this weekend. Any tips? I've got all the tools, all the know-how, and presuming rx7store gets me the parts, I've got my weekend planned. Any little things you guys have discovered in the process that might save me a few angry words would be great.
~Tom

wingsfan

Get a transmission jack. Somehow or some way find one to rent or buy one. It will save you time, effort, and tons of frustration. At the very least borrow a friends jack so that you have one jack supporting the differential and another to raise and olower the tranny. I had no issues lowering, but raising back into place I needed a friend there to help balance the tranny. It's not heavy, moore awkward than anything else.

Be prepared to take the UIM off if you can't reach the top bolts of the tranny with it on. If you do take the UIM off be supercarefull you don't break the Double throttle control solenoid that is attached to it. It's super easy to break, and then you'll end up deciding whether you want to replace the solenoid or eliminate the DTC.

Getting the collar/throwout bearing to release through the view ports takes some skill and a big *** screwdriver. I poked around for about 10 minutes before mine popped loose. I still like that better than discennecting the pressure plate though.

Print this page out and bring it into the garage with you, check off things as you go:
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/clutch_install.html

Just go slow and make sure you know what you're suposed to do before you do it. I spent a good deal of time rolling out from under the car because I'd forgotten what order I was supposed to do things in, or I wanted to take a look at the service manual.

Good luck. Oh yeah, beer helps alot with all the little cuts and scraped knuckles.

AMRAAM4

Don't plan on it this weekend from my experiences!!!

mfigr1

make sure you check the condition of the throw out bearing release fork. When I originally did my clutch I just ignored it. I started having clutch problems again and later found out it was a worn/damaged fork.

Hyperite

Just talked to them, clutch has shipped, flywheel & counterweight are being overnighted this afternoon, so that's AOK by me!


Thanks! I'll be sure to pay special attention to it.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

You might be ready to order a new oil seal for the pilot bearing. Mine was trashed when my clutch was changed out (and the clutch kits don't come with a new one of those).

Hyperite

I did, my mazdatrix order arrives tomorrow

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Good deal. Make sure to leave the flywheel nut still on the end so the flywheel doesn't come off on your head (almost learned that one the hard way).

Other than that have fun and just get some protective eye wear. All kinds of crap will be falling into your face down there.

adam c

iTrader: (2)

There are two ways to disconnect/install the pressure plate. You can do it in the tranny in, or out. If you remove the tranny with the pressure plate in, you will need to unbolt the six bolts thru the inspection hole. Not difficult. This allows you to remove everything, and gives easier access to releasing the fork and bearing.

Installing the tranny with the plate in it, lets you avoid having to line up the disk and pressure plate with an alignment tool.

This is how I did mine. It was recommended by a mechanic who works on these cars regularly.

Hyperite

Hmm...I have the alignment tool and I'm dropping the trans anyway, so I suppose I'll pop the pressure plate w/o the tranny on, agreed?

BigIslandSevens

iTrader: (4)

Yep. easier with the tranny off. Also check the rear main seal for leaking oil. I saw that you had a Mazdatrix order don't know if thats on it. Ray Crowe could get you one overnight probably. ( That guy rocks) Every RX i have done a clutch on the rear main seal was bad. 10 bucks is cheap insurance. Dave

Hyperite

Mazdatrix Order:
1) 1 49-220TB TOOL FLYWHEEL STOP $22.89 $22.89
2) 1 49-0033-03 TOOL CLUTCH ALIGN $3.00 $3.00
3) 1 10-5020-N3A1 GASKET FRONT COVER $17.27 $17.27
4) 1 10-556A-1668 SEAL OIL REAR MAIN $8.32 $8.32
5) 1 40-3050-RF36 GASKET EXH CONVERTER $8.02 $8.02
6) 1 17-1030-H501 SEAL TRANS FRT INPUT $3.85 $3.85
7) 1 17-335A-R501 SEAL TRANS REAR $16.20 $16.20
8) 1 11-711B-0810 NUT FLYWHEEL $11.48 $11.48
9) 1 11-D030-N326 CLUTCH PILOT BRG $9.37 $9.37
10) 1 11-4040-1881 CLUTCH PILOT SEAL $2.41 $2.41

BigIslandSevens

iTrader: (4)

Nice!! Do you have the FW puller tool? I've tried all the others I could buy and nothing except the mazda one worked for me. (bent all the other flat bar types i tried and broke the bolts off.) Good thinking on the trans seals. I forgot that one last time on mine....Just saw you said you had ALL the tools. My bad!

wingsfan

Bah, flywheel puller. I broke two of the generic pullers before I ended up beating on it with a wood splitting wedge and a 4lb hammer. Eventually swearing at it and hanging off of it with all 215 lbs of my body weight broke it loose. Ahh, the good old days.

Hyperite

I actually don't have a FW puller, I plan to just smack the hell out of it for a while w/ a dead-blow hammer. I've got that pilot bearing tool though, that'll come in handy.