Will I regret it?

[WIL35]

Ok, have changed the clutch master cylinder and after the bleeding process I now have a very soft pedal that has no feel at all and cannot engage any gears. Luckily the car is still up on the ramps, so it is 2ft off the ground.

Looks like it will have to be a new clutch and slave cylinder, to be expected at 33.5k miles I suppose! Have read through Madmark's excellent guide a few times and it all looks fairly straightforward.

Will I regret starting this task? The last clutches I did were on a Lancia Beta and a Fiat 132 about 20 years ago! Any views from others who have done this?

[BCA]

Nope, the instuctions are clear and concise, the job is also relatively straight forward with no nasty suprises.

Do-able even when its only a foot off the ground, sounds like you've got a very luxurious set up there.

[julian64]

Hmm, straight forward. He's still got to take the bellhousing out of the car hasn't he?

[WIL35]

julian64 said:

Hmm, straight forward. He's still got to take the bellhousing out of the car hasn't he?

Uh oh, is that bad news??

[esso]

You will have to make up some extended 8m/m&10m/m allen keys to undo the gearbox & bellhousing bolts.If you have MadMarks guide its straightforward but take your time,i did it in a garage with a pit in it.You will require an assistant.One problem you may have is removing the screws that hold the slave cylinder in the bellhousing,its a poxy 4m/m allen key,you should impact drive them out,but i had to get two of mine drilled out.When fitting the new slave cylinder make sure the small holes on the o/d line up or you cant bleed the clutch,and Loctite the new screws in,they can come undone!.Also polish the whole slave cylinder assembly to make sure there is no sharp edges,these can tear the seals.Good Luck!

[BCA]

julian64 said:

Hmm, straight forward. He's still got to take the bellhousing out of the car hasn't he?

Eaaaaaaaasy - try working on a Smart car!!

[WIL35]

Have started now; exhaust is off, heatshield is out and the propshaft is resting on a suitable length of rope across the chassis rails. There's no going back!

Will continue tonight. Need to get the old one out to identify the vintage before I can order a new one!

[julian64]

Thats a shame you're only just down the road from me. You could have used my lift. Still if you get stuck yell. Been a long time since I could get under two feet though

[WIL35]

julian64 said:

Thats a shame you're only just down the road from me. You could have used my lift. Still if you get stuck yell. Been a long time since I could get under two feet though

Any help or encouragment would always be appreciated!

My concern for this evening is supporting the weight of the gearbox and trying not to put too much pressure onto the exhausts. Also, will the engine need support or are the mounts far back enough for it to balance when the gearbox comes off?

[julian64]

WIL35 said:

julian64 said:

Thats a shame you're only just down the road from me. You could have used my lift. Still if you get stuck yell. Been a long time since I could get under two feet though

Any help or encouragment would always be appreciated!

My concern for this evening is supporting the weight of the gearbox and trying not to put too much pressure onto the exhausts. Also, will the engine need support or are the mounts far back enough for it to balance when the gearbox comes off?

Gearbox off first, gearlever etc. leave it balancing on the exhaust/mount. bellhousing second, you'll just get it between the exhausts with a bit of rotation.

What you won't do is taking the bellhousing and gearbox off together.

Two post lift and transmission jack means my back doesn't hurt after, and I don't have to lie under a car with a precarious gearbox looking like the sword of damaclies above me