Clutch Replacement

[G-man422]

Hello,

My clutch is slipping and I have purchased a Luk replacement clutch kit. My challenge is that I have never done this before. Is there a good "how to" for this? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[FestYboy]

I see you're in the rust belt, that may cause issue.

At any rate, there are 2 typical methods to do the job, I'll cove the most common and practical in detail.

Transmission removal.
You'll need a basic metric tool set and these specific ones:
29mm deep socket (1-1/8 or 30mm works hear as well)
Breaker bar and or impact gun.
Jack stands (2)
Jack with block of wood
Long pry bar (may want a short one as well, like 10")
Heavy hammer
Cold chisel (just in case)
Penetrating oil
Small pair of vice grips

First, as always, secure the vehicle with chocks and disconnect the battery.
Remove the starter harness and disconnect the ground and main trans harness plug.
Loosen the clutch cable adjustment nut at the fork arm (this is where you may need the vice grips and oil) and remove the cable bracket.
Remove the starter.
Disconnect the speedometer cable (19mm open ended wrench)
Loosen the axle nuts and front left wheel bolts.
Secure car on stands with the wheels off the ground and level. Make sure the passenger side axle splines move in the knuckle.
Disconnect the LF LCA at the knuckle and swing the knuckle out so that the axle can slip out and to the front of the car.
Disconnect the shifter linkage (both arms)
Support the trans with the jack and wood and remove the cross member. Leave the mounts attached to the transmission. This is where you're likely to get in trouble as the captured nuts at the lower rad support tend to brake loose and spin in rust belt cars. This might actually be the first step (loosen those 2 bolts) just to see if it's possible. If not, then we need to look into option #2.
Remove the trans to engine support brackets.
Remove the 10mm head bolts that hold the dust shield to the trans.(4)
Remove the lower 2 engine to trans bolts.
Lower the trans until the engine rests on the crank pulley.
Remove the upper 2 engine to trans bolts.
Pry the trans loose from the engine and lower it (65lbs), the driver axle can stay where it is, the passenger side will slide out of the knuckle and drop loose.
Replace the clutch and pressure plate, and throw out bearing.

[WmWatt]

Clutch replacement would be pretty standard so I'd look for YouTube videos for a general overview and then search old postings in this forum for specifics while waiting to see what people post in your thread, for maximum coverage. If you have the Haynes Festiva/Aspire manual it should cover it too.

Festyboy posted while I was typing....

[G-man422]

Thanks for the reply FestYboy and WmWatt. How long would you say this would take for a first timer (considering no major hickups)?

[FestYboy]

4 hrs... In time you can have one out and in in under 2...
At my peak I was able to remove a trans in a junkyard with limited tools in under 45 min. In a shop setting, I believe it can be out in less than 30.

[nonamekid]

Here is another step by step for removing the tranny: http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...n-in-a-festiva

[G-man422]

Thank you nonamekid.

[TominMO]

Great thread here, thanks guys!