autorized logo Autorized

Answering All Your Car Questions

Tips for replacing the clutch yourself

By Jakob Jelling

Autorized.com

If you wonder if you can replace the clutch yourself, you should first consider how much knowledge you have regarding how to do it and the car pieces involved. Replacing the clutch is not an easy job and you should not try to do it if you don't know how. If you know how to properly replace it and have the right tools in order to do it, then you should still be very careful and pay attention to every step it takes.

First of all, you should have into account the fact that replacing the clutch is different depending on the kind of vehicle you have. Even though it would be not easy in any case, changing the clutch in a front wheel car will be even more difficult than if it is a rear wheel vehicle.

If you have a rear wheel vehicle, then you must remove other car pieces before being able to remove the clutch. In these cases, you will have to remove the drivesaft, the transmission and bell housing in order to be able to reach the clutch. Once you reach the clutch you can unfasten it from the flywheel and then replace it.

When you replace the clutch, you should also pay attention to the other pieces surrounding it and check them. If any other car part looks too old or broken, you should replace it as well. You should pay special attention to the flywheel, the throw-out bearing and the pilot bushing which is located at the end of the crankshaft.

Once you have replaced the clutch, the most difficult step and the one which you should pay the most attention to is the transmission reinstallation. Due to the great weight of the transmission, this step usually involves the use of a jack or other person's help. Besides, you could not place the transmission right on its place unless the clutch is perfectly aligned. Therefore, you must pay attention to placing on its perfect place each piece you have removed in order to be able to reinstall everything and have the car properly functioning again.