How hard is it to change a clutch
Thread Starter
Rotary Freak
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 1
From: Wichita, KS, USA
How hard is it to change a clutch
ug, well I noticed the other day that my clutch is slipping, so I guess I'm getting a new one this summer.
I was wondering, how hard is it to change a clutch? I've never done one before on any car.
I was wondering, how hard is it to change a clutch? I've never done one before on any car.
Chimera Driver
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,334
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From: Birmingham, AL
With the proper tools it's not too bad. Unless you have airtools and lots of extensions laying around, just take it to a shop. Paying for 3hrs labor is better than wasting 12hrs of your own time.
Lawn Ornament
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 2
From: St Louis, USA
Come on guys it can't be that hard, a buddy and i did his 2000 celica(FWD) so an FD should be cake compared to that, and that was not even that hard....
Last edited by ejmack1; May 13, 2002 at 11:08 AM.
Full Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 121
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From: Stamford, Ct
In my days of blowing up hondas with NOS and Bronze Clutches I knew all about the tranny drops. Take your time and do it yourself if you think you ahve enough tools. Impact is almost a must to get the flywheel off. If it is your 1st time, then go nice and slow and have a patient friend to help you. Be Safe!
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Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Joined: Nov 2001
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how will you line in up without the alignment tool?
RX7s tranny is different then any other cars. Damn
I could change the one in my MR2. rear engine rear
wheel drive, but without the alignment tool good luck!
RX7s tranny is different then any other cars. Damn
I could change the one in my MR2. rear engine rear
wheel drive, but without the alignment tool good luck!
Hey, where did my $$$ go?
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,413
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From: Bimingham, AL
Yea your going to need a alignment tool and a impact gun for the flywheel. Like Lost Time said, its probably worth the 3-4hrs labor someone will charge. Doing it in your driveway with a jack and hand tools isnt the way to do a clutch job unless you just dont have the money. Its a pain in the *** without the right tools and equipment.
Later,
STEPHEN
Later,
STEPHEN
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Glendale, AZ
Originally posted by ejmack1
how much is the alignment tool?
how much is the alignment tool?
http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.as...num=49-0033-03
Here is a link to MazdaTrix... they have all their rotary special tools on this page.
http://www.mazdatrix.com/toolmisc.htm
I'm about to tackle this job myself. I already have everything ready. As soon as that darned tax return comes in I'm getting my engine lift, clutch/flywheel, special tools and the works. Figure I'll fix my 5th gear syncro while the trannys down also.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Glendale, AZ
Originally posted by canman6969
you have done syncros before? WOOOOOOO now that a pain.....
you have done syncros before? WOOOOOOO now that a pain.....
Have you done this before? Is it hard? Maybe I should debate taking the tranny (out of car) to the dealer and having them fix it up
I found this info.... http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/s...t_spindle.html but thats about it.
Lurking..................
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,220
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From: PA
I've replaced my clutch twice. I have three tips for you. These are just what I think you should know before going into it.
1. Replace it with a quality clutch that will hold up to future mods.
2. Do use an alignment tool, which you can also get at your local auto parts store for 2-3 bucks. You can't do the job without one. Also if you need a pilot bearing and/or seal because it doesn't come with the clutch kit then go to a dealer and order one because most local auto parts stores say they can get it but it ends up being out of stock.
3. You also might want to consider buying/renting a transmission jack, air compressor, impact gun, air ratchet, etc if you don't have them.
Oh and good luck on the 5th gear syncro, not trying to steer you away from doing it, but I don't think I would try and tackle it.
1. Replace it with a quality clutch that will hold up to future mods.
2. Do use an alignment tool, which you can also get at your local auto parts store for 2-3 bucks. You can't do the job without one. Also if you need a pilot bearing and/or seal because it doesn't come with the clutch kit then go to a dealer and order one because most local auto parts stores say they can get it but it ends up being out of stock.
3. You also might want to consider buying/renting a transmission jack, air compressor, impact gun, air ratchet, etc if you don't have them.
Oh and good luck on the 5th gear syncro, not trying to steer you away from doing it, but I don't think I would try and tackle it.
Thread Starter
Rotary Freak
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 1
From: Wichita, KS, USA
Originally posted by black99
I've replaced my clutch twice. I have three tips for you. These are just what I think you should know before going into it.
1. Replace it with a quality clutch that will hold up to future mods.
2. Do use an alignment tool, which you can also get at your local auto parts store for 2-3 bucks. You can't do the job without one. Also if you need a pilot bearing and/or seal because it doesn't come with the clutch kit then go to a dealer and order one because most local auto parts stores say they can get it but it ends up being out of stock.
3. You also might want to consider buying/renting a transmission jack, air compressor, impact gun, air ratchet, etc if you don't have them.
Oh and good luck on the 5th gear syncro, not trying to steer you away from doing it, but I don't think I would try and tackle it.
I've replaced my clutch twice. I have three tips for you. These are just what I think you should know before going into it.
1. Replace it with a quality clutch that will hold up to future mods.
2. Do use an alignment tool, which you can also get at your local auto parts store for 2-3 bucks. You can't do the job without one. Also if you need a pilot bearing and/or seal because it doesn't come with the clutch kit then go to a dealer and order one because most local auto parts stores say they can get it but it ends up being out of stock.
3. You also might want to consider buying/renting a transmission jack, air compressor, impact gun, air ratchet, etc if you don't have them.
Oh and good luck on the 5th gear syncro, not trying to steer you away from doing it, but I don't think I would try and tackle it.
I have access to an air compressor, impact wrench, air ratchet, etc at my friends house. and if I decide to do this I'll go buy a trans stand.
We have some experience pulling out engines and stuff, but that was on a supra and we really didn't know what we were doing. But everything turned out ok.
How much did you guys pay to get a clutch changed at a shop?
So should my friend and I tackle this on our own or get a shop to do it?
Originally posted by Zoomspeed
So should my friend and I tackle this on our own or get a shop to do it?
So should my friend and I tackle this on our own or get a shop to do it?
I would say that depends on what your time is worth....
Is it worth you paying a shop 3-4 hours of labor or is it worth it for you to spend maybe twice that amount of time doing it yourself?
Some people enjoy working on cars and have the time to spend doing it. Some people don't have that amount of time (like me) so they let the more labor intensive work be done by someone else.
Good luck which ever way you choose to go.
Lurking..................
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: PA
http://www.kdrotary.com/price_list.html , One of the best roatry shops in the country charges $275.00 for the labor on a clutch, plus the price of the clutch. And they charge $420.00 for the 5th gear synchro but that's with the price of the synchro and labor combined.
The clutch sounds fine for what you want and I think you should be able to pull the clutch job off ok, but to be truthful it's no peice of cake doing the job. And to me $275.00 for labor if you have the extra $ is a bargain.
The clutch sounds fine for what you want and I think you should be able to pull the clutch job off ok, but to be truthful it's no peice of cake doing the job. And to me $275.00 for labor if you have the extra $ is a bargain.
Full Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 227
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From: Montclair, CA
I have a question since I am also going to change my clutch at home as soon as I clear out the garage.
Do you really need the Pilot Bearing Remover or can you take out the clutch without it.
I have never seen the removal of a rx-7 clutch, all I know it is a pull type clutch
I pretty much have all the tools, I have a compresor and a impact gun. Do I need any other special tools?
Do you really need the Pilot Bearing Remover or can you take out the clutch without it.
I have never seen the removal of a rx-7 clutch, all I know it is a pull type clutch
I pretty much have all the tools, I have a compresor and a impact gun. Do I need any other special tools?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Glendale, AZ
Originally posted by kundo
Do you really need the Pilot Bearing Remover or can you take out the clutch without it.
Do you really need the Pilot Bearing Remover or can you take out the clutch without it.
Good news! My federal return was in the mail box when I got home!!! I picked up my engine hoist and leveler last night and it looks like we'll probally lift the motor and drop the tranny wed! I get to order my clutch and flywheel today!
I need to figure out EXACTLY all the parts I need.... (seals and so on)
Based on what everyone is saying I'm going to call the local guy here that works on 7's at Mazda and see what he suggests on the 5th gear syncro deal.
Lurking..................
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: PA
Ninjak what part do you need help on?
Kundo's questions:
Yes I would rent or buy(if you can find one) a pilot bearing remover. I don't know any other way you would get it out unless someone else has another way.
srx7.com and rx7.com rent them out with a security deposit if you buy a clutch kit from them, other than that you'd probably have to buy one online or borrow one from someone. I didn't have one, and sent my dad to sears to see if they had a puller that would work, they didn't. So he ended up making me one out of a bolt(ingenius). He's a machinest and I couldn't begin to tell you how he did it.
I would also suggest having a shop manual. You don't absolutely need it, but if definately helps for little uninstall/reinstall hints. I bought mine for $100.00 at the Mazda dealer a while back.
I'd suggest a impact gun, air compressor, air ratchet, metric socket set and a 2 1/8" socket for your impact gun if you plan on removing the flywheel. Oh and it helps to have either a transmission jack or a transmission cradle for a regular floor jack so you don't have to balance the transmission on the little floor jack pedestal.
Kundo's questions:
Yes I would rent or buy(if you can find one) a pilot bearing remover. I don't know any other way you would get it out unless someone else has another way.
srx7.com and rx7.com rent them out with a security deposit if you buy a clutch kit from them, other than that you'd probably have to buy one online or borrow one from someone. I didn't have one, and sent my dad to sears to see if they had a puller that would work, they didn't. So he ended up making me one out of a bolt(ingenius). He's a machinest and I couldn't begin to tell you how he did it.
I would also suggest having a shop manual. You don't absolutely need it, but if definately helps for little uninstall/reinstall hints. I bought mine for $100.00 at the Mazda dealer a while back.
I'd suggest a impact gun, air compressor, air ratchet, metric socket set and a 2 1/8" socket for your impact gun if you plan on removing the flywheel. Oh and it helps to have either a transmission jack or a transmission cradle for a regular floor jack so you don't have to balance the transmission on the little floor jack pedestal.