So over the years I've read, and followed, the threads with people having disfunctional clutch dampers. There are a lot of them. There are no threads discussing the process used to replace the damper. A number of years ago there was discussion on outright replacement of the entire clutch tubing/hose circuit and replacing it with a single run of stainless steel reinforced hose with appropriate ends. With 120,000 miles on my 5th gen it's time to do something as I'm slowly losing fluid and am 100% positive it's the dampers fault.

I have, in hand, a brand new factory Honda Prelude clutch damper ready to be installed. I had the VTEC filter/solenoid, intake duct, distributor, battery, and passenger front wheel removed and I still couldn't get to it. Any tips from people that have done this before while the engine is in place in the car?

Alternatively, I could replace the entire run of tube and rubber hose with a new braided line but I still think I'd want/need to remove the segment of tube that goes from the damper up to the slave cylinder in order to make room for the new braided line...which leads me back to removing that damper.

I **might** be able to get to it if I remove the from passenger suspension and drive axel but it'd still look really tough. Removing the transmission might make it even easier but I really don't want to hassle with that if I can avoid it.

Can anyone offer any first-hand experience or advice on this?


Thanks!

 

You can't get to it from above? I don't remember any issues on my 4th gen, but I haven't really looked closely at a 5th...

If you do remove it I would strongly suggest getting a line made at a hydraulic shop. They can make a very good crimped line for $30-40 usually. Doing it yourself is probably going to cost more and be more hassle.

 

Never seen these go bad, you better make sure it's not the master cylinder since you might not see it leaking since it would leak into the cabin and the carpet near the firewall may be soaking it up.