DIY clutch and tranny advice needed

[Bank of SHO]

I watched the videos some time ago and decided that these jobs are more than I can handle. My clutch is nearing the end now so I called a bunch of shops. Many of the responses regarding new blocking rings, etc. really gave me pause (e.g. "What are those?"). Others wanted way too much (e.g. $600 for clutch + $1,600 for tranny rebuild). Also, my stomach turns at the thought of a hack doing more harm than good.

So I want to know if this is really a job I can handle. My only car experience to date is a front end 60k, a PP y-pipe, and a new radiator.

One of my concerns is the limited space afforded by the use of jack stands. It was a tight fit for me doing the y-pipe job. I'm not even sure about the proper placement of the jack stands for maximum height and security. I put them under the subframe, but that's not an option on a clutch job.

I'm also intimidated by the transmission rebuild. It seems a small error could require an immediate rebuild again.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Machspeed]

Ask bizzy. I heard shes using the shonut video? She said "makes it simple" so id get it and check it out.

 

[AREA 91]

I have all 3 video's. The're great! Everything you need to know. thumb

 

[masho95]

As far as the jack stands go, you put them right behind the rear subframe bolts on the car's body rails. Just take 2 pieces of wood and put the wood between the body rails and the jack stands. As far as height requirements, just take your jack and jack it all the way up and let the car down on the jackstands while it's fully up. This will give you enough room to get the tranny out. You probably won't be able to slide it right out though, pull it towards you on the driver side wheel well and you might need to give it a slight tilt to pull her out. Other than that there isn't any problems pulling the tranny on jack stands. If you have any other questions ask away or PM me.

 

[SHO--ripper]

Doing trans. work on jack stands is no problem. I just helped my friend do his clutch on jackstands and i am pulling my trans on jackstands. Remember you only have to drop the front of the subframe to remove the trans/do the clutch. You will have to remove the wheels,hub nuts, axles/halfshaft, trans mount, front motor mount bolt on the subframe, seperate the struts from the hub assembly. Then unbolt the trans from the block. After that support the engine lower the subframe and slide the trans out. Don't attempt to rebuild your trans unless you have the video. Good luck. thumb

 

[shojuan]

SHO--ripper:
Don't attempt to rebuild your trans unless you have the video. Good luck. thumb

What's wrong with rebuilding the transmission if you have the Helms? I was just looking at the Helms yesterday and a tranny rebuild seems very straightforward. I haven't seen the shonut video but I'll take everybody's word that it is excellent. But really, is there something wrong with just following the Helms on a tranny rebuild?

 

[masho95]

There's nothing wrong with rebuilding the tranny just by the Helms. But the thing with watching the video is that you get to see everything done on video, which is almost as good as seeing it done first hand.

 

[Bank of SHO]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm trying to work up the courage to do this. Don't forget that I'm a novice. I can follow directions though. Many things are tough for me though because I don't know what some parts are, what they do, or even what they look like in some cases. That said, I didn't have too much trouble with the previous projects thanks to the help found on this forum.

I have all of the videos and the Helms manual; still looking for the confidence though. wink

 

[bomberman]

Im looking to put in a new clutch myself as well. what are these videos that were mentioned and where can I get them? Is the clutch a hard job as well like that tranny? Thanks

 

[masho95]

The videos are excellent sources of information for changing the clutch, installing a Quaife ATB, and the 60K maintanance procedure. They are available seperately or as a group from www.shonutperformance.com
Bank of SHO as long as you can follow directions it's really not that hard to change a clutch. Take your time especially since it'll be your first time doing this. Plan to have at least an open weekend to do it and a couple long hours days work. Watch the clutch video a couple times, I've seemed to pick up new things I missed the first couple times after I've watched them again. As far as identifying parts the video is an excellent way to find them.

Edit: As a side note, most likely most of the fasteners that have to come off probably haven't been of in a long time (especially watch out on SHO's that are located up North). Definitely take the time at least the night before to spray down all the bolts and nuts that have to come off with some PB Blaster. Spraying them down twice would be better if you have the time. Concentrate on getting the exhaust manifold nuts and studs cleaned up. Breaking a stud during a clutch job will definitely make you want to never work on a car again. I've broken all 4 during a friend's clutch job. headbang

<small>[ July 21, 2003, 06:51 PM: Message edited by: masho95 ]</small>

 

[Bank of SHO]

Do I need two sets of jack stands (i.e. raise front and back)? Is a second jack good too for any reason? Sears has the same jack and jack stand set I purchased before on sale again...or at least it was last week.

If the front and rear of the car need to be raised, what is the process for doing this (i.e. what order of lift and stand placement)? Where sould the rear stands go?

My appologies for such naive questions.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[masho95]

Two sets of jack stands is definitely recommended, although I'm sure you could do it with one set and a ton of struggling. Jack up the front of the car right in the middle of the front part of the subframe. Once the jack is as high as it will go take two jack stands with pieces of wood and place them right behind the rear subframe bolts on the body rails. Placing wood between the jack stands and the body rails will both help distribute the weight of the car on the stands and also help not crush the body rails in. Once the car is resting on the jack stands and wood you can safely remove the jack from the front of the subframe and continue work on the car. The second set of jack stands will come in useful while removing the subframe. You can place the jack stands at the two sides of the front of the subframe and the jack in the middle of the rear part of the subframe. After undoing all 4 subframe bolts the subframe should be resting on the front jack stands and the jack in the rear. You can manually take the subframe off the front jack stands and then lower the jack and drag the subframe out from under the car. So the rear of the car is never jacked up and only one jack is required, and two sets of jack stands if possible. If you are seriously considering doing a clutch job yourself I would definitely recommend the SHONut video from www.shonutperformance.com under the "Clutch" section. It'll give you an idea of what type of work that needs to be done in order to do the clutch.

 

[Bank of SHO]

Thank you very much for explaining this. I'll have plenty of other questions in other threads. I'll be sure to watch the videos a few more times as well.

thumb
Tom