so i was reading on changing out my old clutch, and is it that hard to change it? i didn't want to take it to the shop to fix since it's gonna cost a lot just to change it. has anyone done it themself yet? i have a haynes manual but i read it and damn there is just a lot of things to take out. i didn't expect it to be that difficult. just getting some opinions before i start on this project on the weekend.

 

Depends on how you do it and what tools you have.

If you have a hoist, it's easiest to just pull the engine out, separate the tranny and do it that way.

If you don't have a hoist, the next easiest way is to drop the subframe with the motor and tranny attached and once more, change it with the motor outside of the car.

If you have neither of those two things, but have a set of metric sockets, a 6' piece of rope, and a torque wrench you can change the clutch with the tranny still in the bay. Figure about 4 hours start to finish if you know what you're doing.

Axles have to come out, then remove the starter, shifter assembly and the wiring harness from the tranny. Remove the front, rear, and tranny mounts, support the engine with your jack. Separate tranny from motor and use your piece of rope to tie it up out of the way. You can't remove it from the bay unless you either drop the oil pan (and exhaust) or remove the thermo housing, clutch and FW first.

The steps are in the Haynes manual. Not to hard to change it with the tranny in the bay.

 

yeah it's going to be my first time doing it. i have bout two people helping me but they haven't really changed clutch on their own before. and yeah i ain't got no hoist only a jack and some jack stand and car jack. haha. hopefully i can just use those. hopefully it does take 4 hours. you just gave me some encouragement on replacing it. lol. also question, do i really need a clutch alignment tool?

 

You should have one. I've used my finger before though.