clutch job - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

matryx · 10-24-2007, 03:40 PM

I got a 1996 GSR and I think I need a new clutch. I have ordered the parts and still deciding if I should get it put in by a shop or tackle the clutch job myself. I've never done this before and don't have much mechanical experience. The only experience I have is doing oil changes and I've recently changed my MTF. I've been to team-integra.net and got their DIY clutch job and some other DIY clutch articles and the helms manual. Should I go at it or is this too big of a job for me?

Sirfallsalot243 · 10-24-2007, 03:45 PM

If you follow the directions, read all the articles, and have all the tools, theres not much more you can do to prepare for a job like that. The only way youll know is if you give it a try. The only advice i can give you is to be VERY careful that you dont overtorque the pressure plate bolts, as they break easily. If you run into trouble, come on here and post- and we'll help you out as best as we can. I recently did a motor swap in my 91 integra, and it was my first auto tranny swap. I didnt know how to do some of it, and I came on here and asked. I got it finished, and am daily driving it now.

The only way youll learn is by doing it. I say you give it a shot. If you decide its too hard whats the worst case scenario? You have to tow it to the mechanic?

8urcivic · 10-24-2007, 03:56 PM

clutch = real easy.

holloway · 10-24-2007, 03:58 PM

It's not that hard. But is time consuming and if you don't have air tools it's a little ruff but can still be done in a day maybe two and don't forget to change the rear main seal because you don't want to have to go thru this again for a 10 dollar part also you will need 12 point sockets.

Sirfallsalot243 · 10-24-2007, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holloway

also you will need 12 point sockets.

Only one, right? One 17mm 12pt socket for the flywheel bolts? Shouldnt need any others that i can think of..

TegTech · 10-24-2007, 04:48 PM

Taking your time is important because you dont want to have to re-do it all over again

. I know a clutch alignment tool is a must, plus get some good quality grease for greasing up the pilot bearing, or whatever parts the manual says to grease. Just follow the manual and you should be fine

.

BTW Sirfallsalot243 is your DA on the road now?

Sirfallsalot243 · 10-24-2007, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TegTech

BTW Sirfallsalot243 is your DA on the road now?

Yeah man, thanks to you.

I PMed you a while back to say thanks again for all the help, but I never heard if you got it.

Its on the road, its first drive was a 273 mile drive from PA to RI, made it with no problems.

Its a little noisy and rough, but it runs strong.

matryx · 10-24-2007, 05:35 PM

alright I'm going to do it. Just got to get the rest of the tools. I tried searching for a rear main seal, but I can't seem to find it. Is there another name it goes by? I found a Drive Axle Seal and Input Shaft Seal...are those it?
Clutch alignment tool came with the clutch
Anything else I would need?

Sirfallsalot243 · 10-24-2007, 05:43 PM

Well youre gonna need to take the axles out to drop the tranny. If you think you have the tools to do that...

INsan3TEGRA · 10-24-2007, 10:28 PM

its easy... if you make it through this one then future clutch jobs will be a peace of cake

i just recently did my clutch too (about last Saturday) went fine then took it for a drive and my whole car was shaking.. started to panicked but then it ended up being that my axel wasn't all the way in

so my advice to you is double check everything after your done

holloway · 10-26-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matryx

alright I'm going to do it. Just got to get the rest of the tools. I tried searching for a rear main seal, but I can't seem to find it. Is there another name it goes by? I found a Drive Axle Seal and Input Shaft Seal...are those it?
Clutch alignment tool came with the clutch
Anything else I would need?

You have to specify rear main oil seal and get it at Napa or the dealer only if you want it to last and you need a 10mm 12 piont socket for the pressure plate bolts. If you dont have air tools the fly wheel bolts are giong to be a bitch.

matryx · 11-02-2007, 10:13 PM

So I started on the big clutch job a couple of days ago and ran into some problems.

First I couldn't get the 10mm bolt out from the wire harness clamp because it was too rusted or too tight. The thing was tight and kept twisting when I was trying to get it off. Worried that I would break it I just left it and went on.

Then I ran into a rounded off bolt on the A-pipe and got stuck for awhile figuring how to get it off.

Knowing it would only get harder later with the axles and dropping the tranny I realize this job is just too big for me and decided to take it to a shop to get it done properly and save myself the headache.

I guess that's the problem with working on an old car with a lot of rust. Just didn't realize it until I actually tried. I do like working on cars, learning, and doing things myself but I think I get some more experience or someone to help before tackling a clutch job myself again.

Sirfallsalot243 · 11-02-2007, 10:43 PM

Well, props for trying then.

MQTGSR · 11-03-2007, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matryx

I guess that's the problem with working on an old car with a lot of rust. Just didn't realize it until I actually tried. I do like working on cars, learning, and doing things myself but I think I get some more experience or someone to help before tackling a clutch job myself again.

Man I feel your pain. I remember when I re-did my exhaust, which is an easy job mechanically, was a pain in the ass because of the rust. I almost took it in because I just could not get some bolts to come off, it was so frustrating. There were days I would just give the car an evil glare in the hopes that the bolts would magically break free, but I have found, that what you need to to is basically do what you did, try, and if you absolutely can't do it, bring it in. You gaurenteed learned something just by trying, so the experience can't hurt.

holloway · 11-03-2007, 01:44 PM

It takes tools, any man or women can do anything but you have to have the right tools and know how to use them properly. Rust problems plague alot of people especially in the north and for the rust you use a torch to break loose or cut what ever your doing and replace it with new parts later that's why mechanics in the north charge so much and it takes longer to do things. I started my automotive career in the north and couldn't stand salt corroded shit, just taking an exhaust off was hell.