Installing my clutch and flywheel tonight, any tips?

Fountainhead · 06-11-2013, 08:10 PM

You know, any time I do a job that requires tool purchase, it's really an investment in yourself and saving money down the line on paying a shop if you're inclined to do the work yourself.
It's ALWAYS best to do the work on your terms instead of when it fails. Very important to keep an eye on the car to catch a problem before it fails completely.

Two things you can't waste money on: Tools and education. Besides if I tell my wife I'm saving 1000 dollars CSC changed myself and it requires 200.00 of new tools to change a 90 dollar CSC, she won't say a thing... and I get new tools! Worst case you could rent the major tools if ya have to.

tranceformer · 06-12-2013, 03:23 AM

congrats on the new parts and doing it yourself, James!

Don't feel bad, my clutch was showing signs of wear & tear at 26k miles. And my CM took a sh*t after I had my aftermarket clutch & HD CSC installed.

So how do you like the lightweight flywheel????

SAmilitaryman · 06-12-2013, 08:10 AM

We have a DIY garage on base. It has every tool you could possibly need and a mechanic or two to help out if you need something. It's 5 bucks an hour for a lift and tools are free. I've been in there for upwards of 4-5 hours at a time and save so much money.

Im in there for a long time because i'm learning. It took me 3 hours to put on my brake pads and rotors. Why? Because i'm new to working on cars so I refer back to the DIYs on this site and the service manual.

I know not everybody has access to a garage or these resources. I'm actually drawing up a business plan to shoot to some guys I know to see if they will finance it to try and get a garage started just like the one we have on base.

Welcome to Lackland Force Support Squadron - link to the one on base.

Alstann · 06-12-2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranceformer

congrats on the new parts and doing it yourself, James!

Don't feel bad, my clutch was showing signs of wear & tear at 26k miles. And my CM took a sh*t after I had my aftermarket clutch & HD CSC installed.

So how do you like the lightweight flywheel????

Thanks, Ray.

I looked at my friction disc, and I actually have plenty of life left, haha. I'm certain that the material has a glazing from all the harsh miles I put on the car. I'm glad to know that I wasn't the only one - I was getting worried I was just breaking my car left and right at this point.

The lightweight flywheel, even though it's the 19lb steel Southbend, is AMAZING. The car revs so much quicker, and the car pulls better all around. I can't wait to get the CM sorted out, and finish my break in period. I wanna romp on the car so bad!

I'll also be taking it to the track again afterwards to get a trap speed and hopefully improve my ET. If you are interested.

Alstann · 06-14-2013, 09:43 AM

Got my master cylinder yesterday, and I just finished tackling the removal and install.

Removing the master cylinder was a very easy task - suck out as much fluid from the resovoir as possible, then unbolt it, and remove it along with the hose. The master cylinder is held in place by two nuts in the driver footwell, and is connected to the clutch pedal by a wrist pin. It's pretty simple to remove, but be prepared to break your back and bend in ways you didn't know you could!

Since I learned you can't pressure bleed the clutch system, I did a flush through first by opening the bleeder screw, and running 2 small bottles of fluid through the system to get contaminants and the old fluid out. I then opened a fresh bottle of Valvoline fluid, and filled it up to the top, and then proceeded to do a two man brake method. My friend was unavailable today, so I had to make do by myself:

The handle of a floor jack is such a magical tool. ^^ I just pushed the pedal to the floor, placed the handle there, and then moved the seat forward as much as possible to hold it there.

My method for the two person was to pump the pedal 5 times (otherwise, no pressure was built in the system), and then to place the handle there, go under the car, and then quickly open and close the bleeder screw. I repeated this about 6-8 times, and each time, the pedal came back stronger and stronger.

Galeforce and the others, you were right. The pedal feels STIFF. There is like, a 1/4 inch of slop now, as compared to my literal inch of slop. I'm about to go drive it to the store and stuff for a test drive.

Chuck33079 · 06-14-2013, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fountainhead

You know, any time I do a job that requires tool purchase, it's really an investment in yourself and saving money down the line on paying a shop if you're inclined to do the work yourself.

Or you plan projects specifically so you have to buy a tool you don't have. My house makes me do this too often. Buy a tool for a project, put the project on the back burner for six months.

06-12-2013, 03:23 AM	#32 (permalink)
tranceformer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palm Beach, FL Posts: 1,213 Drives: 2009 370Z PW 6MT Rep Power: 267	congrats on the new parts and doing it yourself, James! Don't feel bad, my clutch was showing signs of wear & tear at 26k miles. And my CM took a sht after I had my aftermarket clutch & HD CSC installed. So how do you like the lightweight flywheel???? zefaulter likes this. __________________ Ray* 2009 370Z Base Sport 6MT / 12.860 @ 109.09mph / 1.921 60ft / street tires official 1/4 mile track times

06-12-2013, 08:10 AM	#33 (permalink)
SAmilitaryman Base Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: san antonio, tx Posts: 168 Drives: 09 Nissan black 370z Rep Power: 12	We have a DIY garage on base. It has every tool you could possibly need and a mechanic or two to help out if you need something. It's 5 bucks an hour for a lift and tools are free. I've been in there for upwards of 4-5 hours at a time and save so much money. Im in there for a long time because i'm learning. It took me 3 hours to put on my brake pads and rotors. Why? Because i'm new to working on cars so I refer back to the DIYs on this site and the service manual. I know not everybody has access to a garage or these resources. I'm actually drawing up a business plan to shoot to some guys I know to see if they will finance it to try and get a garage started just like the one we have on base. Welcome to Lackland Force Support Squadron - link to the one on base. GaleForce and zefaulter like this.

06-14-2013, 09:43 AM	#35 (permalink)
Alstann Track Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 882 Drives: 12 PW 370z 6MT Sport Rep Power: 14	Got my master cylinder yesterday, and I just finished tackling the removal and install. Removing the master cylinder was a very easy task - suck out as much fluid from the resovoir as possible, then unbolt it, and remove it along with the hose. The master cylinder is held in place by two nuts in the driver footwell, and is connected to the clutch pedal by a wrist pin. It's pretty simple to remove, but be prepared to break your back and bend in ways you didn't know you could! Since I learned you can't pressure bleed the clutch system, I did a flush through first by opening the bleeder screw, and running 2 small bottles of fluid through the system to get contaminants and the old fluid out. I then opened a fresh bottle of Valvoline fluid, and filled it up to the top, and then proceeded to do a two man brake method. My friend was unavailable today, so I had to make do by myself: The handle of a floor jack is such a magical tool. ^^ I just pushed the pedal to the floor, placed the handle there, and then moved the seat forward as much as possible to hold it there. My method for the two person was to pump the pedal 5 times (otherwise, no pressure was built in the system), and then to place the handle there, go under the car, and then quickly open and close the bleeder screw. I repeated this about 6-8 times, and each time, the pedal came back stronger and stronger. Galeforce and the others, you were right. The pedal feels STIFF. There is like, a 1/4 inch of slop now, as compared to my literal inch of slop. I'm about to go drive it to the store and stuff for a test drive. zefaulter likes this. __________________ 2012 Pearl White 370Z GReddy Twin Turbo

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06-11-2013, 08:10 PM	#31 (permalink)
Fountainhead Track Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: FL Posts: 834 Drives: 2019 Civic Type R Rep Power: 14	You know, any time I do a job that requires tool purchase, it's really an investment in yourself and saving money down the line on paying a shop if you're inclined to do the work yourself. It's ALWAYS best to do the work on your terms instead of when it fails. Very important to keep an eye on the car to catch a problem before it fails completely. Two things you can't waste money on: Tools and education. Besides if I tell my wife I'm saving 1000 dollars CSC changed myself and it requires 200.00 of new tools to change a 90 dollar CSC, she won't say a thing... and I get new tools! Worst case you could rent the major tools if ya have to.