clutch swap this weekend. UPADTE!

[sn95gtvert]

my ram hd clutch kit, cable, hardware and pilot bearing should be here friday. i've found a shop to do the work in. (friends parents home shop) its been about 3 years since i've done a clutch on a 5.0. I will try to borrow another friends cannon rebel to take photos along the way.

i will have full access to air tools :angel4:

my plan right now is to get the car in the air, pull the mid pipe and DS. then pull the center console, if i can i will leave the shifter on. pull the electronics, and cable off the trans. unbolt the bell from the block once those are all out i will place a jack under the trans and unbolt the cross member. from there get my old stock clutch off and flywheel.

i hope i can get the flywheel into the machine shop early enough friday/saturday to get it back before the weekend is over.

anyone have tips on how to keep the motor from spinning while putting the flywheel back on, this part always seems to give me a heck of a time.

 

[Javi]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

air tools rule

 

[Win]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

Took me less then 30 min to drop the mid/ DS and tranny. Also on the console why?

You don't have to take out the whole console. Just take off the Knob and Handle and let it slid out. Once you have the tranny out then take the shifter off and clean the Black RTV off so you can refill once it's in the car.

Oh and i didn't have air tools. I do now though

 

[OnyxCobra]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

I'm not sure if you're using air tools if the motor will spin, idk either way it shouldn't be too big of a deal.

 

[Win]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

I'm not sure if you're using air tools if the motor will spin, idk either way it shouldn't be too big of a deal.

You can easily get it off and on without air. If you have air tools you won't have to worry about it till you go to torque it. There are a couple backyard mech ways to do it or you can get one of these

 

[Javi]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

or use a screwdriver lol

 

[sn95gtvert]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

screw driver is probly the way i'll go. i just dont like parts moving/rotating while i torque them down.

pulling the center console is just a thought, last time i did a clutch swap on my friends 5.0 his shifter kept getting caught up on the console. thats nothing to bitch about tho.

what i would really like to have happen is another set of hands and eyes that know there way around a 5.0/t5 all my friends are mostly we tod ed when it comes to cars. well all but two, one just moved to cali and the other lives in boise. if all goes well i should have it back together before saturday evening.

 

[5.0kid]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

ya i've always just used the screwdriver method...

sounds like a good plan keep us informed!

 

[sn95gtvert]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

to top off this fun weekend plan the weather is solid rain and this weekend is supposed to be in the 20's. its times like these i wish i had a coupe.

 

[JDwhite98gt]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

Definitely just take the shifter off, it's only 4 bolts as opposed to wrestling with the damn center console. I think its harder to take that thing out than to a clutch job lol. Looks like you got a good plan going but dont forget about the starter and how much of PITA that is.
so:
Shifter
Midpipe
DS
Starter
I'm guessing a T-5 can unbolt from the bell housing? Wow a lot easier than a T-45 so u dont have to worry about the 3 feet of extensions
then Bell housing
clutch
flywheel
reverse
Also dont forget to clean out the bell housing pretty good with some brale cleaner, it could be a good time to replace your bearing retainer and even the Pivot ball stud and possibly the clutch fork. Inspect each piece pretty well. take some low grit sandpaper and light ly sand away all the black gunk from the contact points (the ball on the pivot stud and the fingers and contact surface that the TOB clips into) If any of those spots look like the metal got too hot and have serious wear marks, replace them without hesitation.

 

[sn95gtvert]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

t5's will unbolt from the bell, but that's unneeded. i will go though this job the same way i did when i did my gears.
tear down, clean, clean, clean, clean, smoke a bowl, and put everything back together.

we all know how nasty an axle can be to wrestle around with one thing i hate is getting dirty while putting thing back together. there is no reason to put dirty parts back on a car.

example 1

its cheap and easy to clean and thats how i try to keep my car. all in all im looking forward to ripping the t5 out, i love the looks on my friends faces when they see how deep i can get in short amounts of time.

 

[BruhBrahBrad]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

Wait you cant take a t45 out from the bellhousing?

 

[SRT Handz]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

Wait you cant take a t45 out from the bellhousing?

Cause the bellhousing can only be removed once the trans is off. The Bellhousing bolts for a T45 are on the inside of the bellhousing.

O/P: When i installed my flywheel i had a buddy hold a 1/2 inch ratchet on the crank pulley bolt from keeping the motor from spinning.

 

[BruhBrahBrad]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

Oh damn.

 

[Javi]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

helpful tips:

1.- get the Haynes manual if you don't already have one. They have step by step guide and torque specs.

2.- change the pilot bearing if you have not already done so.

3.- don't touch the rear main seal if it's not leaking. Leave it be.

4.- make absolutely sure you put the pins in the correct holes or you will have vibration and will have to remove the trans again.

5.- install the clutch cable on the fork before installing the input shaft then have someone depress the clutch pedal and the input shaft will slide in without having to try and slip it in while hold or working with the trans.

 

[sn95gtvert]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

1,2, and 3 are covered.
4 and 5 are on the list now.

thanks javi.

 

[OnyxCobra]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

what pins are they talking about there? also I'm not sure I fully understand step 5, maybe cause I bolted my trans to the engine before it went back into the car.

 

[JDwhite98gt]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

Wow sounds really different compared to dropping the T-45.....what pins are you talking about javi?

 

[sn95gtvert]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

3 pins on the flywheel, they are alignment pins but also help the balance. glad i ordered all new hardware and pins.

 

[OnyxCobra]

Re: clutch swap this weekend.

u telling me those small pins help with balance? come on. I pulled them all out when I dropped the flywheel off to get resurfaced, then when I got it back i just pushed them all back in and was on my way. I highly doubt they go in any special order, the flywheel itself is weighted but I've never heard anything about those little tiny pins doing anything.