Ball joint cover when doing clutch job/suspension work

[SW SHO]

So I'm doing my clutch and didn't have the white plastic covers that come with the ball joints as Josh (shonut) explains in his video.

I looked around my house for an alternative and I found a clear plastic cover from a Playtex baby bottle. Fits PERFECT over the ball joint/boot.

See here:

Its a great alternative and available at the grocery store for under $5.

 

[shojuan]

I haven't seen the video. I'm assuming that's to protect the balls joints from damage during some part of the clutch replacement? If so then I'll try to make a mental note of that! "Playtex nips. They're not just for babies anymore."

 

[Brian Smith]

good eye!

 

[Bizzy]

I haven't seen the video. I'm assuming that's to protect the balls joints from damage during some part of the clutch replacement? If so then I'll try to make a mental note of that! "Playtex nips. They're not just for babies anymore."

That's classic!

They are to protect the rubber boot on the ball joint from getting ripped by the way Rick.

 

[SW SHO]

Yeah Shojuan, that's great!

Another tip, but I'm sure I'm not the first to say, but the top tranny bolt to blolck closest to the firewall is really hard to get to from underneath, with or without a lift. I went at it from the top as I had more room for leverage breaking it free....keep in mind I'm using man power not air tools for this work.

This isn't as hard as I thought so far, but I know removing bolts is always easier than feeding them back in; especially in those tight spaces on top of the tranny.

Question: are there torque specs for these tranny to block bolts?

 

[rangerj]

Yes, there are torque specifications for the transaxel to engine bolts.

I do not know if you want the following information because you did not ask. I provided it anyway.

Bolt - Transaxel clutch housing- to - engine:
30 to 40 foot pounds or 40 to 55 newton meters. rangerj

 

[SW SHO]

Thanks!