Doing My First FD Clutch Swap - Anyone Have A Mega Torque Wrench For The Flywheel Nut
 

I've finally decided to bight the bullet and install the clutch and flywheel I bought years ago for my FD. Mine is currently on it's last leg.

Anyway, I am pretty confident that I can find a way to get the 350 ft-lb nut holding the flywheel on off, but I was wondering if anyone had a torque wrench that goes up to these levels in the LA area that I could borrow to re-install it? Or alternatively, what have you guys have done in the past when re-installing this nut?

Thanks in advance,

Ray

if you need any help im down to lend a hand

I'm down for as much help as possible. I am aiming to do the install the weekend of the 26th.

^ word... pm when you plan on doing clutch ,, btw me and a friend are hosting a Cruise and BBQ on the 27th of this month,

Well, maybe I'll start the swap mid-week then. I need to find a source for a torque wrench first though.

I have the long flywheel nut wrench from Racing Beat/Mazdatrix (I forget which one) with the correct size socket welded on, and I have 2 different kinds of flywheel locking tools (the kind that locks the teeth and a long flat iron piece with holes drilled in it). But I don't have a torque wrench that goes to 350 ft/lbs. In the past, I just remembered how much force it took to loosen with my long flywheel nut wrench and applied about that much force when tightening it (honestly, it doesn't have to be exactly 350 ft/lbs).

The part that I hate is getting the flywheel off once you have the nut already loose. I've had success by heating up the e-shaft with a butane torch and then using a puller tool and/or slide hammer. Once you have that off, you're going to need a pilot bearing removal tool and slide hammer to get the pilot bearing out. AND, since you have the flywheel off, you should replace the rear oil seal of the engine because if yours isn't leaking yet.... it will.

ive done it with an ir impact and some red thread locker to tighten the nut. did 2 motors like that with no complications.

pacman74 - Any possibility of me borrowing those tools for my job? I forgot about the pilot bearing removal tool as well. I think I brought my slide hammer with me when I moved though.

I planned on replacing the rear main seal as well. I need to order it though. As well as a replacement pilot and throwout bearing.

As an engineer, I'm a big fan of torque wrenches and setting things correctly, but if I can't find one I'll probably go with the "feel" route as I'm usually pretty good at that when I compare.

That one kind of falls under the "as hard as you can" category, going on. You'd need to find somebody who works on semis or trains, probably, to find a torque wrench and proper socket for that.

Gettting the flywheel off is easy, when you know the trick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erXefDbfrLA

Even a gurl can dew it.

I have a pilot puller, & flywheel wrench & blocker, but I'm pretty far from PDR.

Where I used to work, there was a torque wrench for torquing the rear axle nuts on Vipers that went up that high. That thing was a monster. Actually, that gives me an idea of where to find one...

DivinDriver - You are kind of far, but if i can't find a pilot puller elsewhere, I'll make the trip out there if necessary if the offer still stands.

jajaja or you can try a hammer and chisel FTMFW (COMPITA RACING!!!)

Sure; let me know and we can work the schedule out. All I ask is that it come back clean and whole, & reasonably soon.

It makes short work of the job, that's for certain. Used twice in the 20 years I've had it. Took about a minute each time.

Too bad I didn't know you needed it a couple days ago; I was down in downtown LA Sunday and Monday, on business.

No worries. I didn't realize that I needed it until this weekend. I assumed that the FD clutch swap would be just like all the others I've done. Then I read up on it. Glad I was smart enough to read up on it before blindly tearing into :)

PM me about borrowing the tools.

N/M, I guess you already did!

Quick question for you guys. Who is place to order a throwout bearing, pilot bearing and a rear main seal from?

I always ordered from the RX7store or Malloy when I was in MI, but was wondering if there was a good source closer now that I'm out here.

-Ray

If you can't get them from the local dealer, Mazdatrix is most likely to have them. Walk-in in Signal Hill, or via the intarwebz.

Use a heavy rubber mallet instead of a metal hammer. much less chance of damaging your flywheel. Mazdatrix or atkins rotary should have everything you need.

i have a flywheel nut wrench but i'm in norcal

Thanks for all the help guys. I think I've found a source for the flywheel nut wrench and flywheel holder. Would still love to find a mega torque wrench and pilot bushing remover if possible though.

Just say the word if you need my puller. Not like it's busy or anything.

I work in Anaheim, BTW, if that makes pickup/return easier - - about 1/4 mile from Racing Beat, in fact. I'm here 7-4.

Looks like pacman74 has a pilot bearing puller as well, so I'm good. Thanks for the offer though.