Dead clutch...
Discussion
Well... I pulled into the drive last night and the clutch (that was getting weaker by the block) up and died! Unfortunatly, it was a mechanical problem. After looking at her this AM, I think the bearing stuck. There is simply no return spring pressure - I can pull the fork back and fourth easily. It makes a great "cling" sound! Anyway, can anybody suggest a good sight so I can get some step by step info on removing the gear box. It is my understanding that you can remove the floor of the boot and lift the box up through the hatch...
Drive topless!!!
(Thank the auto gods for MX-5 Miata)
Cameron...
Drive topless!!!
(Thank the auto gods for MX-5 Miata)
Cameron...
Ouch, sorry Cameron.... sounds like the diaphragm spring in the pressure cracked based on your being able to pull the fork back and forth.
Getting the gearbox out is not that bad.... I think Johan owns the record by yanking one out in less than 30 minutes. But for the record, the steps are:
1- Remove rear luggage compartment floor, disconnecting vacuum hoses and electrical leads as necessary.
2- Remove the chassis rear crossmember.
3- Remove the silencer. Drain the transmission oil.
4- Disconnect the reverse light switch wires and release the speedo cable (if applicable).
5- Disconnect the gearchange cables and on 4-cylinder cars, remove the exhaust motuning cradle from the transmission.
6- Using punch set T000T0678, drive out the two concentric rollpins securing the drive shaft inboard joint to the transmission output shaft and discard the pins (ah, get new pins).
7- Taking note of the positions of the bolt head washer and bushing snubber washers, remove the stud securing the hub carrier to the top link. Loosen the hub carrier lower stud, and pull the hub outwards sufficiently to draw the drive shaft off the output shaft splines.
8- On 4-cylinder cars, disconnect the turbocharger oil drain pipe, water feed pipe and air inlet hose. Seal the turbo air intake to prevent dirt entry.
9- On 4-cylinder cars, release the clutch slave cylinder from the clutch housing, and remove the flywheel sensor from the top of the clutch housing. Remove the starter motor. On V8 models, remove the clutch slave cylinder and mounting bracket. Pull the clutch release fork upwards and rearwards to unhook the keyhole slot in the fork from the pivot ball, and allow the fingers of the fork to be withdrawn from the release bearing collar (release bearing is captive in clutch cover diaphragm spring).
10- Support the transmission and remove the gearbox mounting brackets and rubber mountings. Support the engine and release the clutch housing to engine bolts, noting their different lengths and positions. Note any shim washers fitted between the sump and clutch housing.
11- Carefully draw the transmission rearwards to disengage the clutch shaft from the spigot bearing and clutch cover, and lift out the complete transmission assembly.
Whew... hope that helps!
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Getting the gearbox out is not that bad.... I think Johan owns the record by yanking one out in less than 30 minutes. But for the record, the steps are:
1- Remove rear luggage compartment floor, disconnecting vacuum hoses and electrical leads as necessary.
2- Remove the chassis rear crossmember.
3- Remove the silencer. Drain the transmission oil.
4- Disconnect the reverse light switch wires and release the speedo cable (if applicable).
5- Disconnect the gearchange cables and on 4-cylinder cars, remove the exhaust motuning cradle from the transmission.
6- Using punch set T000T0678, drive out the two concentric rollpins securing the drive shaft inboard joint to the transmission output shaft and discard the pins (ah, get new pins).
7- Taking note of the positions of the bolt head washer and bushing snubber washers, remove the stud securing the hub carrier to the top link. Loosen the hub carrier lower stud, and pull the hub outwards sufficiently to draw the drive shaft off the output shaft splines.
8- On 4-cylinder cars, disconnect the turbocharger oil drain pipe, water feed pipe and air inlet hose. Seal the turbo air intake to prevent dirt entry.
9- On 4-cylinder cars, release the clutch slave cylinder from the clutch housing, and remove the flywheel sensor from the top of the clutch housing. Remove the starter motor. On V8 models, remove the clutch slave cylinder and mounting bracket. Pull the clutch release fork upwards and rearwards to unhook the keyhole slot in the fork from the pivot ball, and allow the fingers of the fork to be withdrawn from the release bearing collar (release bearing is captive in clutch cover diaphragm spring).
10- Support the transmission and remove the gearbox mounting brackets and rubber mountings. Support the engine and release the clutch housing to engine bolts, noting their different lengths and positions. Note any shim washers fitted between the sump and clutch housing.
11- Carefully draw the transmission rearwards to disengage the clutch shaft from the spigot bearing and clutch cover, and lift out the complete transmission assembly.
Whew... hope that helps!
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Thank you for the info. I'm unfortunatly out of town on business for the next four weeks starting Friday!!! BUT... I have something automotive to return too HAHAHA! I'm looking now too see my best option for ordering parts. I will def. keep this project updated as this is my first time pulling a gear box on a Lotus. Does not sound much more complicated than the AH Sprite.
Thank you again for the info!
Drive Topless!
Cameron
>> Edited by autocross7 on Tuesday 28th October 00:32
Thank you again for the info!
Drive Topless!
Cameron
>> Edited by autocross7 on Tuesday 28th October 00:32
I disconected the slave cylinder from the clutch fork and the cluch fork was moving free. The fluid level is not low and there is no detectable leak... thank you for the good thoughts, but I'm afraid that this is mechanical.
30 minutes ehh John? I hope it goes that easy!
I'm hoping I can get this job going the week of Thanksgiving... or it will be the new year. My work is keeping me on the road til then :^(...
Thanks for the offers of help. I'll need it!
Drive topless!
Cameron
30 minutes ehh John? I hope it goes that easy!
I'm hoping I can get this job going the week of Thanksgiving... or it will be the new year. My work is keeping me on the road til then :^(...
Thanks for the offers of help. I'll need it!
Drive topless!
Cameron
Hey!!! UPDATE: I Got a bit of time to start taking the Lotus apart. Just for the record... I'm 2hrs into the job of pulling the gear box. The piping, the turbo, trunk floor, wiring etc... is out!!! All I got to do now is jack up the car and pull the tires and gear box!!!
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
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