Question:Can I replace the clutch myself?
Answer:You can if you have the proper tools and know-how.
Changing a clutch is a big job on a rear-wheel drive car or truck,
and an even tougher job on a front-wheel drive car or minivan.
On a rear-wheel drive vehicle, the driveshaft, transmission
and bellhousing have to be removed from underneath the vehicle
to get at the clutch. The clutch can then be unbolted from the
flywheel and replaced. Resurfacing the flywheel is recommended
-- and required if the flywheel is warped, grooved, badly worn,
heat discolored and/or contaminated with grease or oil. That
means the flywheel has to come out, too. If the flywheel is cracked,
it should be replaced.
In addition to replacing the clutch, a new throw-out bearing
is also recommended. Considering the labor involved to tear everything
apart, it's risky to reuse an old throw-out bearing. It may not
be noisy now, but it's hard to tell how many miles it might have
left in it.
The pilot bushing in the end of the crankshaft that supports
the transmission input shaft should also be inspected. Replacement
is recommended if your vehicle has a lot of miles on it.
Reinstalling the transmission is the most difficult part of
the job because the transmission is heavy (which means you'll
need a floor or transmission jack, or a pair of strong arms).
The clutch must also be perfectly aligned (with a pilot tool)
so the transmission input shaft will slip into place, once everything
has been bolted together.
With front-wheel drive, replacing the clutch is even more
difficult because it involves pulling the engine or dropping the
transaxle (both of which are major undertakings because of all
the disassembly that's involved). For this, you'll need an engine
hoist to pull the engine or a hoist or beam to support the engine
from above while the transaxle comes out.
