Clutch replacement questions
Discussion
After 173,000 miles it looks like the clutch on the Mk 2 is finally looking to retire. Took me a while to work out that was what was wrong from the wife's description ("Doesn't happen all the time and mostly when cruising; feels like there is no more power and it shakes the rear view mirror. Oh, and there is a smell of burning plastic.")
Queue investigating everything electrical.... It was only when I put it away in the garage and there was the stink of clutch that I realised what it was likely to be. Strange, as it seems fine when pulling away even under load, but when the car gets hot it judders when cruising.
Anyhooo, to the questions;
1) I've looked on MX5Parts and they have two clutches, a Sachs http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product... for £158 or an Exedy http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product... for £109 - is there much benefit in going for the Sachs unless my wife decides to start running standing quarters or hill sprints (as if!)? I think I know the answer, as 173k miles on an OEM clutch including 113k of those with a Super Charger fitted probably indicates that I can save nearly £50 and trust an OEM one.
2) My mate, who is a very good mechanic, reckons changing it is relatively straight forward and takes about 4 hours - but that is for someone of his skills! As he lives 200 miles away I cannot enlist his help, so what is the general opinion of trying to change the clutch myself (with another mate who knows his way around a set of spanners) in terms of time, fun(!!) and sensibleness????
Thanks in advance..
BTW MX5Parts have quoted 6 hours labour at nearly £50 an hour - bloody ouch!
Queue investigating everything electrical.... It was only when I put it away in the garage and there was the stink of clutch that I realised what it was likely to be. Strange, as it seems fine when pulling away even under load, but when the car gets hot it judders when cruising.
Anyhooo, to the questions;
1) I've looked on MX5Parts and they have two clutches, a Sachs http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product... for £158 or an Exedy http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product... for £109 - is there much benefit in going for the Sachs unless my wife decides to start running standing quarters or hill sprints (as if!)? I think I know the answer, as 173k miles on an OEM clutch including 113k of those with a Super Charger fitted probably indicates that I can save nearly £50 and trust an OEM one.
2) My mate, who is a very good mechanic, reckons changing it is relatively straight forward and takes about 4 hours - but that is for someone of his skills! As he lives 200 miles away I cannot enlist his help, so what is the general opinion of trying to change the clutch myself (with another mate who knows his way around a set of spanners) in terms of time, fun(!!) and sensibleness????
Thanks in advance..
BTW MX5Parts have quoted 6 hours labour at nearly £50 an hour - bloody ouch!
JonnyFive said:
Its not 6 hours, bloody hell!
We done mine in 3 hours and that was with us having never done one on an MX5 before.
6 hours!
I've got an Exedy clutch from EuroCarParts.. Feels nice to use, and was a good price with trade discount.
I have to say that I thought that 6 hours was a bloody rip off. And my mate, when he was in business, used to charge about £300 for the job including the clutch.We done mine in 3 hours and that was with us having never done one on an MX5 before.
6 hours!
I've got an Exedy clutch from EuroCarParts.. Feels nice to use, and was a good price with trade discount.
Yes, its doable at home as long as your competent. Its not hard, but it did take us a while longer than it would at a garage - main difference being limited room with axle stands as opposed to have a ramp and a transmission lift.
Its not actually 'difficult' at all really, just unbolting and bolting back up really.
Its not actually 'difficult' at all really, just unbolting and bolting back up really.
snotrag said:
Yes, its doable at home as long as your competent. Its not hard, but it did take us a while longer than it would at a garage - main difference being limited room with axle stands as opposed to have a ramp and a transmission lift.
Its not actually 'difficult' at all really, just unbolting and bolting back up really.
Looks like I'll have to be very nice to my mate for a while then....Its not actually 'difficult' at all really, just unbolting and bolting back up really.
I rather do a clutch on an MX5 than on any FWD car!
Get the car lifted up - not to high so your be stretching to reach but high enough to be able to get underneath easily - then just unbolt stuff.
You don't need an alignment tool, use you eyes and fingers to make sure the plate is centralised.
If the box won't mate up with the engine don't force it - look for reasons why.
Always look at both sides when underneath - it's easy to lie on your back and miss something!
Always use axle stands to support the car - might be a light weight car but it will cause you a lot of pain if you end up supporting it!
Use a trolly jack to help support the gearbox - both out and in.
Get the car lifted up - not to high so your be stretching to reach but high enough to be able to get underneath easily - then just unbolt stuff.
You don't need an alignment tool, use you eyes and fingers to make sure the plate is centralised.
If the box won't mate up with the engine don't force it - look for reasons why.
Always look at both sides when underneath - it's easy to lie on your back and miss something!
Always use axle stands to support the car - might be a light weight car but it will cause you a lot of pain if you end up supporting it!
Use a trolly jack to help support the gearbox - both out and in.
JonnyFive said:
Steve, sounds like you've done it..
Did you drop the PPF and take out the Prop.. Then drop the 'box or just open them up and replace it like that?
Yep, I done it. Got myself an 5 last weekend.Did you drop the PPF and take out the Prop.. Then drop the 'box or just open them up and replace it like that?
Oh, you mean the clutch!
No, I've not done a clutch on a 5 but have done on many RWD cars and a few FWD - I'd do a RWD clutch any day over a FWD one.
I'm an old git so please tell me what is a PPF?
T40ORA said:
Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely be trying to convince my mate we should have a go. Sounds like it's just a matter of taking your time over it.
Very much so, very simple when you're under there.Undo some bolts, undo some bolts from the PPF, undo prop bolts and remove it, we removed the lower bit of my exhaust to make it easier too and then undo the last few and job done.. Nearly.
We done the Spigot Bearing on my flywheel, might aswell whilst you're there but if you haven't got a Spigot Bearing Puller it's hassle to get out.
JonnyFive said:
Power Plant Frame.
The big girder looking thing that goes from the gearbox to the diff.
We just undone it from the gearbox and pulled it out of the way, worked fine like that but probably would just remove it totally next time..
You'll struggle to remove the PPF completely without dropping the diff due to a recessed bush of somesort on the top of the PPF/Diff.The big girder looking thing that goes from the gearbox to the diff.
We just undone it from the gearbox and pulled it out of the way, worked fine like that but probably would just remove it totally next time..
I've done 1 clutch change on axle stands, in January, in the rain. I shall not be doing another. Whilst it's perfectly do-able it's not a pleasant job on your own when a competent mechanic can do the job for you for £100 - 150 (plus parts).
Next time I'll pull the engine, it's only a few extra bolts to pull the engine and box together.
I also found the missus FWD fiesta easier, much easier.
Also please if you do, do the job remember to align the gearbox with the PPF afterwards, you'll likely end up with horrendous gear lash on the overrun if you don't and generally once you've got it re-aligning afterwards doesn't 100% remove it.
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff