Clutch Install Advice
 

I'm planning a pre-emptive move in which I switch out the OEM CSC before it fails with the Z Speed HD CSC. While I have the transmission out, I may take the extra step of switching to a HD clutch pressure plate and disc. My question is: Has anyone performed a DIY clutch replacement with the vehicle supported using race ramps and/or jack stands? There is a great DIY posted, but the work was performed with the car on a lift. My concern is trying to install, align and torque the pressure plate while lying on your back under the car, reaching up, with only limited room. Presumably, anything is possible ... but any input from someone who has actually completed an install under such conditions would be appreciated. Any "lessons learned" are welcome. Thanks!

Ive done it on jackstands, but you have to get that thing sky high to make it easy enough to get under there. Here is a picture that shows what I did. I also used some truck wheels under each tire so that incase for whatever reason it came off the jacks it would land on the wheels. (it was very sturdy but it was just a precaution).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps3955a8dc.jpg

The fun part is like you said getting the clutch plate aligned with the shaft of the transmission. When you buy the Zspeed it comes with the alignment tool, just make sure it is a straight as you can possibly get it while installing. The first 2 times I did the clutch (Ive actually done it 3 times now) it was a straight shot to mount up the trans. The 3rd time however it took about an hour of fighting with it to get it to seat.

Whatever you do do not use the bell housing bolts to suck in the bell housing, you should be able to push it together with your hands, if not something isnt right. Its pretty easy to do IMO, it just takes some time and patience.

Hope this helps.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psf08608c1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psf9ce8cb7.jpg


Also if you have Facebook take a look at the Alberta GZ Group, there is a bunch of guys on there who are both local and have alot of experiance with this sort of thing.

Bench pressing a transmission up to stab it in sucks.

Thanks Mitco 39. Wow ... you must have raised the car at least 2 1/2 feet. Presumably, you raised it in stages, placing the 2 x 10's (?) under the jack stands at each stage. What was the "reach" of your floor jack in order to get to the final height?

Yes it can suck. I actually made my own sort of trans jack. I have a 3 ton jack that I took off the cup that comes with it and that left a flat surface. From there I drilled 2 holes in it and screwed down the first 2X10 to it. Then I kept stacking and screwing wood into it so I got the height I needed to hit the pan of the transmission. Then I used a ratched strap to secure the trans to jack. This gave me a good platform to wiggle the trans on to stab the clutch. I would sit behind the trans and eye it up the best I could and wiggle it from the gear shift linkage. The 3rd time I actually used the trans brace to hold the transmission up (there is enough play in there if you leave the bolts loose to be able to hold it up but leave you enough wiggle room to stab it).

I went all the way up on all the jacks then I would stack a few blocks under each corner and essentially walk the car up into the air. Looking at the princess auto website the reach of the jackstand is about 16in. Now you dont have to go up that high to make it all work but it does make it so you can sit up in the bell housing tunnel which IMO is a must if you decide to change your flywheel. Those bolts are not fun to get loose without the car up in the air.

Use the plasteek clutch alignment t00l. I used a trans jack and had my helper wiggle the shi+ outta the trans as I pushed the input shaft into the clutch/pp...the splines will mate...;) See where I planted the front jack stands...2 give more room for the tranny...