Clutch change saga

[FrenchMike]

The fourth is not easy ;have a try from top (spanner 13)



Mike

[EastPete]

Mike

I have slackened the four rack bolts, no problem - access was not too hard. My question was what to tie the rack to before removing the bolts completely.

Thanks for any help you can offer

Cheers

Pete

[FrenchMike]

Originally Posted by EastPete

Mike

I have slackened the four rack bolts, no problem - access was not too hard. My question was what to tie the rack to before removing the bolts completely.

Thanks for any help you can offer

Cheers

Pete

No need from memory (i only lowered the subframe)

[EastPete]

Originally Posted by FrenchMike

No need from memory (i only lowered the subframe)

Mike - I think it needs to be secured, otherwise it can drop off the end of the steering column, and you then have the hassle of trying to re-connect/re-align it. I have heard of instances there this has happened during a clutch change

Pete

[FrenchMike]

Originally Posted by EastPete

Mike - I think it needs to be secured, otherwise it can drop off the end of the steering column, and you then have the hassle of trying to re-connect/re-align it. I have heard of instances there this has happened during a clutch change

Pete

May be if you intend to remove the subframe entirely
for me ,it was only one inch separated from the body...

[Phil-T4]

I use a piece of wood and old seat belt webbing.

[EastPete]

A bit of progress today. I prepared the subframe for removal:

- Removed lower 'teardrop' engine mount (2 X 15mm bolts).
- Unbolted front of exhaust from down pipe (3 x 15mm nuts)
- Unbolted the two cross braces in the central floor tunnel that the exhaust runs in (10mm bolts).
- Unhooked the exhaust from the two front rubber mounts and lowered it to the ground.
- Removed the fixings on the subframe for the power steering pipework and the 'P-clip' for the lower coolant pipe at the front.
- Slackened the bolts holding the rear subframe braces (10mm bolts).
- I secured the steering rack with a couple of pieces of thin rope tied to an old broom handle which I wedged behind/under the wipers (I am sure there are other ways of doing it !). I then removed the 4x13mm bolts securing the rack to the subfame. Note that the nearside/offside bolts are different lengths, so make a note of which side they go back in.

I then cracked the 15mm subframe bolts- some of these were very tight, and needed a long breaker bar to get them moving. I supported the subframe with a trolley jack on the front jacking point, with a couple of axle stands at the rear of the frame. I progressively loosened the bolts, and used a couple of old scissor jacks at the side of the subframe to gently lower it once the bolts had been completely removed, checking all the time it was not fouling anything. Once the rear bolts have been removed, the bracing pieces can be removed as well. Keep the subframe bolts in the right order- they are different lengths, so I put them through a piece of card labelled with the correct position for each bolt. The subframe is quite unwieldy to handle on your own, so two pairs of hands will make removal easier. I was going to get help from a neighbour, but he cried off citing a bad back in this cold weather !

Next task will be to strip out gubbins under the bonnet to get access to the gearbox mount. I am not sure when that will be - I am busy with other things over the next few days, but at least I have made a start !.

To be continued...

Cheers

Pete

[Tourist]

Cheers for the continuing updates Pete - I have a feeling that I'll be following in your footsteps sometime in the future - if not because of the clutch then maybe the slave. I'm guessing I'm still on the original items after 12 years and 73k miles.

Please keep the updates and photos coming!

[COLVERT]

Originally Posted by EastPete

Mike

I have slackened the four rack bolts, no problem - access was not too hard. My question was what to tie the rack to before removing the bolts completely.

Thanks for any help you can offer

Cheers

Pete

PETE !!!!

Didn't you like my post number 19 to you ???---------------



Or did you just want to get to post 26 ?????----Lol.



PS. I'll get you, just see if I don't.

[EastPete]

Originally Posted by COLVERT

PETE !!!!

Didn't you like my post number 19 to you ???---------------



Or did you just want to get to post 26 ?????----Lol.



PS. I'll get you, just see if I don't.

Jon - yes I did and thank you. I did not have any aerolastics long enough for the job, and I thought that the wood across the wing tops would get in the way of removing some of the stuff under the bonnet I have not got to yet (engine cover etc.). We all find our own ways of cracking problems - there is not a definitive right or wrong way of doing anything ! . Thanks for the suggestions - I hope the tone of your post is in jest and good-natured - I do not post on here to get abused !
Take care

Pete