Hi all I'm after some help.
Put a fresh motor in my rx7 this weekend. I put the gbox on first then mounted the whole lot. On installation I can't get the thrust bearing to clip into the pressure plate, I'm trying from the bottom inspection cover with a screwdriver leavening it on but it just pops back out. Any ideas?

 

Checking your profile, you have an FD. Adding that information to your post or, better yet, to your signature helps so we don't have to go searching.

Now to your question...your retainer ring may have been bent or damaged when you pulled the transmission. There's a groove on the throwout (thrust) bearing that it needs to cleanly seat into. When inserting the bearing, it should seat with a nice little 'click' sound. If it's bent, it won't catch and continue to slip out. You should probably drop the transmission and take a peek at it and if needed, carefully straighten it out.
Here's a video from the 3rd Gen. FAQ that will help you understand better.....

 

Thanks for the reply, when it was removed from the previous engine it was taken off by someone else who just undid the pressure plate bolts,
Here's a vid of what is happening, how easy should it clip In place?

 

Not seeing any video.
The fact that the pressure plate was removed with the transmission tells me someone probably struggled to figure out how to disengage the throw-out bearing. And during that struggle they probably bent the ring.
If it is damaged and can't be straightened you may also still be able to get a new ring.

I usually use the lower inspection hole and use two long flat bladed screw drivers to push the bearing in from either side evenly. A quick push and I hear a little 'click' to tell me it's seated and Bob's your Uncle...done. Shouldn't be very difficult at all.

 

That was my thought also, however when I got hold of the box I removed it properly, but it was abit of a struggle. Is it possible to remove the transmission while it's on the floor? I guess I will have to get the front right up in the air.
http://vid551.photobucket.com/albums...pskvelc0ro.mp4
That link should work

 

^Yep, my bet is the ring is bent, broken or missing.

 

Absolute nightmare, I will try one more time then pull the box out

 

Update for anyone that has the same issues,

I had another crack at it and got the front end high off the floor. Screwdrivers couldn't get enough pressure to pop it in, so I turned the engine over while looking in the hole and making sure the retaining cage was even.

Then got a medium pry bar and got it behind the lever fork and gave it 1 fast push and it popped in. It's all secure now and the clutch is working perfectly!
Happy days that I didn't have to drop the box
Thanks for your help and now onto the next problem haha