Clutch Change

[bigjohnboy]

I am in the process of changing the clutch assembly on my 95 4litre Chimaera and have a couple of questions if anyone can help .

Do I have to remove the started motor i.e. do the bolts go into the gearbox .I don't want to remove this as I would have to disconnect the battery and will loose the Stereo and the previous owner has lost the mask remote key.

What’s the best way to disconnect the linkage, I have undone the bolt that holds the remote linkage to the gearbox shift ( by the handbrake mechanism ) but there is not enough space to push the bolt through to take it out ?

Any help on this an any other tips would be appreciated .

[M@H]

Err.. daft question perhaps.. but why do you need to disconnect the battery to remove the starter motor..?

Matt.

[bigjohnboy]

Because it has a permanent live connection to the battery , one slip with a spanner and its toast

[M@H]

Hmm.. well so does my CD Player... can't you just undo the connections on the back of the Starter Motor, wrap them in insulting tape (deliberate sp.) and then take the motor off.. I'm still struggling to see the need to disconnect the battery.. I certainly never did it with the beetle when I replaced the Starter Motor.

Matt

[mongoose]

your right,its wise to disconnect the battery for safety reasons.you can however buy a power saver cheaply.this little device plugs into your ciggie lighter and keeps power fed to permanantly live lines like the radio.its low power output keeps the radio alive but isnt dangerous to work with.only five pounds or so from motofactors and toolshops etc.

[bigjohnboy]

Thanks for the replies so far , I have heard of the power savers might be worth investing in one , I am still not sure if the starter motor bolts go through to the gearbox ?
I also considered trying to tape the wire up but its a large battery cable size and next to no access i.e very close to the exhaust manifold .Thanks for the help though .

[budd]

If the remote linkage is the same as the Griff you may need to jack up the G/box a little to allow the bolts to clear,you also need to spilt the g/box from the bell housing prior to removal, slide the box out and leave the B/housing in place then remove the B/housing.
If the g/box is tight in the b/housing whack it with a rubber mallet,it is possible to get the g/box and b/housing out in one unit but it is v v very tight and part of the remote linkage is mounted to the b/housing and goes over a chassis cross member and it is easy to damage .The starter mounts to the b/housing and not the g/box so you could remove the g/box and leave the starter in place but to get at the clutch the b/housing must be removed this means the starter too.
Hope this helps.

>> Edited by budd on Friday 2nd May 00:33

[bigjohnboy]

Thanks for the replies finished the clutch on Saturday and what a difference
The top bolt on the starter motor goes through to the gearbox the bottom does not so the starter motor did not have to come out after all .The remote linkage is a pain in the back side .Still all done now ready for LeMans

[RCA]

About to remove my gearbox too!!!! Don't think I am bothering with the clutch as it was replaced last year!!!, Does this mean I can drop the gearbox fairly easily???, Is it just a case of unbolting it from the bell housing and back mount and sliding it out??
cheers
Rich

[bigjohnboy]

You need to remove the exhaust ( fairly easy ) propshaft ( easy )and the remote linkage ( very tricky but nothing hard )I removed mine from below .If your not doing the clutch then you can leave the bell in housing in place .
Mail me if you need any further advice .