Changing the Clutch

May 4th, 2003, 01:25 AM

Hey guys,

I'm changing the clutch on my car (haven't done this on my car before, or any other for that matter) and I'm going by the instructions in the Haynes manual. It's telling me that I will need to remove the starter motor and a section of exhaust pipe to pull out the transaxle, yet looking at the car I don't see why this is necessary. Am I missing something here? Do I really need to take these steps?

Also, for those who have done this before, there is an electrical clip at the top of the tranny that I can't seem to get. To tell you the truth I'm not sure what it's for, but on one side the wires run down behind and into the transaxle. It's brown and the portion that the wires run into on each side is orange. Anyone know how to get this off, because I've fiddledfor about half an hour and can't figure it out.

Thanks guys,

Aaron

se-r-57 · May 4th, 2003, 08:09 AM

The exhaust can stay in the car. On the starter just take the 2 14mm bolts out and let it flop down a little behind the motor. The connector is eather the reverse lamp switch or the neutral switch. I assume your talkin about the square one it's kinda a bitch. I usually use a pocket knife orr something like that to get it a part. Hope this helps.

May 4th, 2003, 12:36 PM

Is there something I need to press on it to get it off? It's kinda hard to see and i don't want to break it (I already cracked it a bit).

Thanks for the help!

Aaron

Ickys SE-R · May 4th, 2003, 06:09 PM

If its the wire that is held to the tranny on the far driver side.You need to go under the clip you will feel a sort of buttin...Push in...and pull!!

Any other probs hit me up...I've done 3 on my car and I'm doin one now..Waitin for my kit to come in..

P.S. make sure you get the flywheel resurfaced.Clean the inside of the bell housing..and Dont follow the Hayes to the fullest.There not to specific..If you could wait a few days I should be postin pix of the job as soon as I get it done...

May 6th, 2003, 07:25 PM

Got the stupid clip off. It seems like things would be a lot easier if they were all exactly the same.

Another question: For taking off the axle hub nut (that bigass one) the manual mentions removing some sort of "nut lock". I don't see one, though I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for here. Is this on my car? If so, what does it look like?

Also, I can't seem to swing the shift support rod free while the transaxle is in place - will this be easy to swing off when I'm removing it?

Thanks a bundle!

Aaron

toolapcfan · May 6th, 2003, 09:52 PM

I think they mean that flimsy metal castle nut thing that has metal prongs on it, that the pin goes between. (It's a lame ass attempt at keeping the lock nut from being able to work loose). You might not have it if you have a castle nut for your hub nut, which is the better thing to have IMO. Just remove the pin and take the nut off. Unless you can afford the downtime, I'd just clean your flywheel with some brake cleaner and a scotchbrite pad. Do the same with your new pressure plate, it has a protective coating on it to keep it from rusting while it's in the box, if you don't remove this coating the disc will turn it into a glaze that will cause your clutch to slip.

May 7th, 2003, 09:59 PM

Thanks - I got the hub nuts off today. I'll be sure to clean my pressure plate before I put it in. As for the flywheel, I don't mind downtime so I'll be getting it resurfaced.

Thanks for the help!

Aaron