February 7, 2025
Automotive Clutch Replacement Tips – Dos and Don’ts

Obtaining spent several several years in tech support with a enterprise that sells guide transmissions, I have spoken with quite a few prospects that have created clutch installation blunders that expense them dearly in conditions of time, funds and annoyance. These tips are dependent on my expertise with what is routinely ignored by a beginner that is putting in a new clutch. This report is NOT a substitute for a great auto restore handbook that is certain to the automobile you are performing on! If any of these suggestions contradict the details in your support manual, stick to the services handbook instead.

Suggestion # 1: Lubrication in all the appropriate places (and none of the improper locations!) – Position a mild coat of grease on the pilot suggestion of the input shaft and on the collar that the release bearing slides on. Wipe a Extremely light coat of oil on the input shaft splines to avoid rust. Be thorough to NOT get any grease on the flywheel, the clutch disc, or the pressure plate.

Tip # 2: Have the flywheel resurfaced, no matter how great it looks. It only expenditures a number of pounds, and the possibility of acquiring to take away the transmission all over again simply because of a chattering clutch is not worthy of the funds you may conserve.

Idea # 3: Change the pilot bearing or bushing. If you you should not have a unique pilot bearing puller device, some service manuals instruct you to eliminate the previous bearing by packing the cavity guiding the bearing with grease and using a wood dowel or outdated enter shaft to generate the old a single out. I have identified that in its place of grease you can use engage in dough, silly putty, or even some aged bread, with equal or far better outcomes and way significantly less mess!

Tip # 4: You should not power something! If the transmission won’t slide all the way up to the again of the bellhousing, do not attract the transmission up to the bellhousing by tightening the transmission to bellhousing bolts. I can’t explain to you how several damaged mounting ears and damaged pilot bearings I have found! If the transmission will not slide all the way in to the bellhousing, then the clutch disc is misaligned or the input shaft is not heading into the pilot bearing for the reason that the transmission is at an angle. Attempt this: Set up or reattach the clutch linkage, and then have a helper depress the clutch pedal marginally though you wiggle the transmission about to get it aligned. When the clutch disc is released, it will transfer so that you can get the transmission aligned with the pilot bearing. I fought with a transmission for an hour a single time before I assumed of this, and then it took about five seconds as soon as I had a helper action on the clutch pedal!

Ahead of tackling your very first clutch substitute, I very recommend looking through the comprehensive course of action in a repair handbook or manufacturing facility services handbook. Even if you are a seasoned veteran, it won’t damage to acquire a glimpse at a assistance guide if you are changing a clutch in a motor vehicle you usually are not familiar with.