[archery_tim]

Hi there,
I was planning on installing a replacement clutch/flywheel etc this weekend using a friends shop so that i would have access to a lift and all the necessary tools. Unfortunately this is no longer possible . So i am left with the unenviable task of replacing the clutch myself, without a lift. [arrrggghhh]

I know this is a tough job so it would be great to hear from anyone who has some experience of replacing a clutch without a lift - If i can find out what tools i will need to complete this i would be very grateful.

If anyone knows of a pictoral walk-though for this, that would be awesome!

Many Thanks.

[Troon2004]

Unless you're REALLY experienced with automotive repair work do NOT try this by yourself. Not only can you get into something you can't do but you also run the risk of injury (transmissions are heavy).

[stlwagon]

Definitely something you want to do with a buddy. I wouldn't do this on jackstands.

[travelers]

Originally Posted by Troon2004

Unless you're REALLY experienced with automotive repair work do NOT try this by yourself. Not only can you get into something you can't do but you also run the risk of injury (transmissions are heavy).

Originally Posted by stlwagon

Definitely something you want to do with a buddy. I wouldn't do this on jackstands.

Agreed, I have done it before many years ago and won't do it again.

[sqidd]

I would rather pull the motor than the trans.

[RayS]

I did this before, without a lift. It's not something I would ever wish on anyone for punishment.
It was an '88 Trans Am. I wanted to swap from an auto to a 5 speed, so I did .
Basically, it involved some SERIOUS stupid order of events:
1) Drive the car up on to a home made car trough (basically, I took a load of 8" cinder blocks and two wide on each side and three high - 24" of working room!).
2) Place blocks on all four wheels.
3) Place 8 (yes, eight) jackstands at various points, yanno, "just in case"
4) Placed 4 jacks and put them under slight tension, so they'd be the first things to catch.
5) Drop the current tranny etc. using two additional jacks, because while I could benchpress that thing in and out of place, I wasn't about to try (considering I wouldn't have been able to turn a wrench and all)!
6) Bolt in new components in a similar fashion using a variety of jacks.

I found out about 2 weeks after I did that, that the local garage w/ a lift would've let me use it for free. D'oh!
I'd highly, HIGHLY, reccommend that you find a place that will let you use their lift, or have at least two buddies around and some means of having a ton of room under there. I would NOT do it my way ever again. Let's just say the words "young" and "stupid" were pretty serious factors, eh?

[Troon2004]

Originally Posted by RayS

... I could benchpress that thing in and out of place, I wasn't about to try (considering I wouldn't have been able to turn a wrench and all)!

Remind us never to be mean to you here.

[.boB]

Although it's a royal pain in the tuckas, it can be done.

The biggest trick is getting the transmission back up into place so you can bolt it in. I have done it with simple floor jack, but I wouldn't recommend it. It requires a very carefull balancing act. Probably not that safe.

Go down to sears or Harbor Freight and get a motorcycle lift like this one. Yes, you'll spend some coin. But you'll be amazed at how many other uses a lift like this has.

Sears.com

If you know somebody who rides and does his own work, he probably has one you could borrow.

[travelers]

one thing you can do to help with the install is to take 2 bolts the same thread size as the bellhousing bolts but 3" long and cut the heads off. round over the sides and take and cut a slot in the head with a hack saw. You now have two long studs to use as guides. The slots are to allow a screw driver to remove them. I have used this for many trany installs and works great.

[Stage-X]

I did it 3 weeks ago on a 07 (with a lift) I put in a spec stage 2 I would not recommend without lift or help You will need to pull the Trany (after all the disconnects) back towards the Axle to get enough room to install new clutch without totaly removing tranny.We had tranny support stool We used a rachet strap from tranny pulling towards Axle to get us the space to put it in. we did it in 3 hours not that hard ecept for the freaking trany support bracket thingy Pull the Exhaust right out...On second thought (I'm having flash backs) this is a nightmare without lift and very dangerous, Dont do it. On the flip side, it was easy with a lift.
Be carefull.

[chad05gt]

Originally Posted by stlwagon

Definitely something you want to do with a buddy. I wouldn't do this on jackstands.

Just get some good jackstands (truck), jack it up high enough to sit under Ive changed 3 clutches and 2 transmissions like this... TAKE YOUR TIME, and if its in the way, TAKE IT OFF; it'll save time

[Beagle1]

Man, is America turning into a land of sissys LOL!

Hasn't anyone pulled a C-6 on their back in the snow? Or a cast iron toploader (last summer on my 66 Stang)? Worse yet, 2 years ago... the 4R100 out of my diesel Super Duty 4x4. In the yard, on my back, no trans jack. Wouldn't go high enough for a lifted truck.

I let it down with rachet straps to the ground onto a creeper, then slid it out. The billet converter I installed weighed as much as the trans. WOW!

I'll be installing my SPEC clutch as soon as my inventory arrives. Blew it last week at NMRA.

I have a decision...home or at work on hoist after hours. Call me nuts, but I may do it at home. Just to take my time. And my blower has to come off to tilt the engine down far enough to get the trans out. Possibly the RH header too.

I have to agree though...a lift is easier. And if you're not a work out nut like myself, and have a strong neighbor to help, it is dangerous. If you never have done a trans pull on your back before...I'd look for an alternative. I have been for 25 yrs, sort of second nature. As well as all the proper tools and experience with the safety aspects.

[jeostang]

Its really not that hard. Do like I did. Find a friend in the military and head to the hobby shop.