clutch job question

warwickben · 11-12-2008, 04:09 PM

i need to replace my clutch and wanted to know if you guys think it would be to big of a job to do in a garage with a lift. my brothers friend has a lift and alot of tools. or would i be better off just bringing it some where.

***Herblenny*** · 11-12-2008, 04:31 PM

Shouldn't be too bad with a lift and couple of people to help you drop it.

I don't know what the dealer charges to drop a tranny but you'll save that plus you could say you did the work

Should only take about 4-5 hours max... I'm guessing.. but I've never done one on my 8.. but several on FDs.

warwickben · 11-12-2008, 04:55 PM

the main thing iam worried about is how long it would take since i would have to get it done in a day. and iam kinda worried about messing up the shifter boat area. i know shouldn't be that hard but its the newist car i ever owned and want to keep it clean.

Atkins Dan · 11-12-2008, 08:26 PM

just take your time and it will be like any other RWD car you will ever do a clutch to...

Dan

***Herblenny*** · 11-13-2008, 09:00 AM

To be honest with you, unless you know the mechanic well, they might do more damage than you would.

I would personally take your time removing the shifter boot, wiring harnesses, etc and do it yourself vs. hiring someone who doesn't care and trying to do it in a hurry.

Also, it will save you money and get the experience.

And just as Dan stated, it should be like any other RWD car.

warwickben · 11-14-2008, 05:56 AM

iam just debating if i should do it my self tho. since i dont own the lift its at a buddys place. mainly cause if the flywheel needs to be flycut i would have to take a day off work and id be trying up his lift ect ect.

i mite be having to call my lawyer tho. i was reading the mass lemon law and it seems like the dealer has to replace it by law but they wont. i need the lawyer to explain a few lines that are little confusing. it seems like they have to replace any parts within 30 days or 2500 miles. but its a wear able part? but any thing that is un safe they have to replace with in 30 days no matter how many miles i put on it. if it slips when pulling out in to traffic i could get t boned? but does it really count.

***Herblenny*** · 11-14-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwickben

i mite be having to call my lawyer tho. i was reading the mass lemon law and it seems like the dealer has to replace it by law but they wont. i need the lawyer to explain a few lines that are little confusing. it seems like they have to replace any parts within 30 days or 2500 miles. but its a wear able part? but any thing that is un safe they have to replace with in 30 days no matter how many miles i put on it. if it slips when pulling out in to traffic i could get t boned? but does it really count.

How many miles does your car have?? If it was an used RX8 then I'm guessing they either gave you a limited warrantee or they told you "as it is".

It would be hard for you to tell you need your flywheel re-surfaced or not. If so, then I would call around and see who can do it the fastest and if they could do it that day. You might be able to make an appointment and get it to them at certain time as you need to do it in a day. If that's too much and too time consuming.. Hell, that's why I take it to the dealership and why people do it all the time.

Also my dealership give me a loaner so I don't have to waste time getting a ride and such.

Good luck!

PHIL

11-14-2008, 08:20 AM

It is not a hard job to replace a clutch (and a flywheel) on an RX8.

Takes about 5 hours on your back.

Make sure you have your clutch kit, fluid, and a new pilot bearing seal (if u plan to replace the pilot bearing) have everything ready and it shoudl not be that bad of a job for even a beginer to do.

Good luck.

11-14-2008, 10:05 AM

another thing I would recomend is thinking about your options.. If you have any intrest in adding a lightweight flywheel, this would be the best time, get the flywheel and the rear counterweight and just swap it in at the same time as the clutch.

Good luck on whatever you choose and keep us up to date.

***Herblenny*** · 11-14-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpooledupRacing

another thing I would recomend is thinking about your options.. If you have any intrest in adding a lightweight flywheel, this would be the best time, get the flywheel and the rear counterweight and just swap it in at the same time as the clutch.

Good luck on whatever you choose and keep us up to date.

I agree that, that is also a very viable option.

warwickben · 11-14-2008, 04:47 PM

the main thing iam worried about doing the job is messing up the shifter area of the car. other then that i dont have a problem doing this stuff my self. heck i pulled my 12a and trans out of my sa and did a clutch job on it my self. part of it is that this is the newest/niceist car i have ever owned.heck i didnt do any thing the last few months just to save up for a down payment.i just dont want to mess it up. iam going to bring it to my uncles shop. i can trust him he mainly works on high end cars from Europe bmw's, lambos, and scca race cars. so i know he wont mess my car up. the only down side is his work is so slow i have to pay full labor cost.

if it wasn't for the fly wheel id be doing the job my self. the crappy thing is if i new how to cut a flywheel i could do it my self since i am a machinist/welder ect ect. and the guy who taught me how to be a machinist has his own shop

the car is a 05 had 46xxx miles on it the day i drove it off the lot, i haven't even put 1000 miles on it since i got the car 3 or so week ago.

sorry about my ramblings. but i figure you guys can under stand whats it like to buy a new car that was a dream car of your a few years ago. with the mind set ill never be able to get one, then you get one and this happens. i know a clutch is no big deal but its pissing me off.

about the lighter fly wheel id love to be able to put one on. heck if i had it i def would just do the job my self but iam kinda broke we just got pay cuts and working 35 hour weeks now till February.

warwickben · 11-17-2008, 04:56 PM

looks like they dealer will be installing the clutch under mass lemon law. for once mass stupid laws helped me. now i hope i can get them to install the clutch i bought. i could care less if i dont get reimbursed for it.

if the car wasnt so new, i would of just invited local guys down for food and beer for helping with lowering the tranny. (iam a little guy 5' 11" 145 wet)

11-17-2008, 05:02 PM

good for you... and I know the dealer around here WOULD put your clutch in for ya.

warwickben · 11-19-2008, 07:10 PM

finale got the dam dealer to agree to do the clutch job should be dropping the car off Saturday. go me. things are looking up finally getting my own tig welder. so now i wont have to sneak stuff in to work on weekends and i can finally start building all the car parts the new england rx guys want.

warwickben · 11-24-2008, 05:32 PM

so i got my car back today right before they closed. clutch pedal felt softer and took a few stop and go moments to get used to it. so i get home sat around for like 15 mins then realized i need smokes. the store is less then a mile away, and half way there my check engine light came on.
when i got to the store i sat for a few. if my clutch isnt pressed in my idle goes from 1000 to 1500 and bounce back down. iam freaking out.

11-12-2008, 04:09 PM	#1
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma iTrader: (4) Posts: 408 Rep Power: 17	clutch job question i need to replace my clutch and wanted to know if you guys think it would be to big of a job to do in a garage with a lift. my brothers friend has a lift and alot of tools. or would i be better off just bringing it some where. __________________

11-12-2008, 04:31 PM	#2
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (11) Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	Shouldn't be too bad with a lift and couple of people to help you drop it. I don't know what the dealer charges to drop a tranny but you'll save that plus you could say you did the work Should only take about 4-5 hours max... I'm guessing.. but I've never done one on my 8.. but several on FDs. __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny

11-12-2008, 04:55 PM	#3
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma iTrader: (4) Posts: 408 Rep Power: 17	the main thing iam worried about is how long it would take since i would have to get it done in a day. and iam kinda worried about messing up the shifter boat area. i know shouldn't be that hard but its the newist car i ever owned and want to keep it clean. __________________

11-12-2008, 08:26 PM	#4
Atkins Dan Premium Vendor Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (6) Posts: 265 Rep Power: 17	just take your time and it will be like any other RWD car you will ever do a clutch to... Dan __________________ 82 SuperCharged rx-7 {my toy not the daily driver anymore now under restoration} 88 B2200 rotary powered with a 7inch Camden SuperCharger !RIP! Jan/4/2007 2001 626 5-speed 80k on the clock all stock {Truck replacement} 2005 MAZDA6 V6 WAGON now that is a pimping ride all stock for the moment.. Paid off WWW.AtkinsRotary.com

11-13-2008, 09:00 AM	#5
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (11) Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	To be honest with you, unless you know the mechanic well, they might do more damage than you would. I would personally take your time removing the shifter boot, wiring harnesses, etc and do it yourself vs. hiring someone who doesn't care and trying to do it in a hurry. Also, it will save you money and get the experience. And just as Dan stated, it should be like any other RWD car. __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny

11-14-2008, 05:56 AM	#6
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma iTrader: (4) Posts: 408 Rep Power: 17	iam just debating if i should do it my self tho. since i dont own the lift its at a buddys place. mainly cause if the flywheel needs to be flycut i would have to take a day off work and id be trying up his lift ect ect. i mite be having to call my lawyer tho. i was reading the mass lemon law and it seems like the dealer has to replace it by law but they wont. i need the lawyer to explain a few lines that are little confusing. it seems like they have to replace any parts within 30 days or 2500 miles. but its a wear able part? but any thing that is un safe they have to replace with in 30 days no matter how many miles i put on it. if it slips when pulling out in to traffic i could get t boned? but does it really count. __________________

11-14-2008, 08:20 AM	#8
SpooledupRacing Guest Posts: n/a	It is not a hard job to replace a clutch (and a flywheel) on an RX8. Takes about 5 hours on your back. Make sure you have your clutch kit, fluid, and a new pilot bearing seal (if u plan to replace the pilot bearing) have everything ready and it shoudl not be that bad of a job for even a beginer to do. Good luck.

11-14-2008, 10:05 AM	#9
SpooledupRacing Guest Posts: n/a	another thing I would recomend is thinking about your options.. If you have any intrest in adding a lightweight flywheel, this would be the best time, get the flywheel and the rear counterweight and just swap it in at the same time as the clutch. Good luck on whatever you choose and keep us up to date.

11-14-2008, 04:47 PM	#11
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma iTrader: (4) Posts: 408 Rep Power: 17	the main thing iam worried about doing the job is messing up the shifter area of the car. other then that i dont have a problem doing this stuff my self. heck i pulled my 12a and trans out of my sa and did a clutch job on it my self. part of it is that this is the newest/niceist car i have ever owned.heck i didnt do any thing the last few months just to save up for a down payment.i just dont want to mess it up. iam going to bring it to my uncles shop. i can trust him he mainly works on high end cars from Europe bmw's, lambos, and scca race cars. so i know he wont mess my car up. the only down side is his work is so slow i have to pay full labor cost. if it wasn't for the fly wheel id be doing the job my self. the crappy thing is if i new how to cut a flywheel i could do it my self since i am a machinist/welder ect ect. and the guy who taught me how to be a machinist has his own shop the car is a 05 had 46xxx miles on it the day i drove it off the lot, i haven't even put 1000 miles on it since i got the car 3 or so week ago. sorry about my ramblings. but i figure you guys can under stand whats it like to buy a new car that was a dream car of your a few years ago. with the mind set ill never be able to get one, then you get one and this happens. i know a clutch is no big deal but its pissing me off. about the lighter fly wheel id love to be able to put one on. heck if i had it i def would just do the job my self but iam kinda broke we just got pay cuts and working 35 hour weeks now till February. __________________

11-17-2008, 04:56 PM	#12
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma iTrader: (4) Posts: 408 Rep Power: 17	looks like they dealer will be installing the clutch under mass lemon law. for once mass stupid laws helped me. now i hope i can get them to install the clutch i bought. i could care less if i dont get reimbursed for it. if the car wasnt so new, i would of just invited local guys down for food and beer for helping with lowering the tranny. (iam a little guy 5' 11" 145 wet) __________________

11-17-2008, 05:02 PM	#13
SpooledupRacing Guest Posts: n/a	good for you... and I know the dealer around here WOULD put your clutch in for ya.

11-19-2008, 07:10 PM	#14
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma iTrader: (4) Posts: 408 Rep Power: 17	finale got the dam dealer to agree to do the clutch job should be dropping the car off Saturday. go me. things are looking up finally getting my own tig welder. so now i wont have to sneak stuff in to work on weekends and i can finally start building all the car parts the new england rx guys want. __________________

11-24-2008, 05:32 PM	#15
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma iTrader: (4) Posts: 408 Rep Power: 17	so i got my car back today right before they closed. clutch pedal felt softer and took a few stop and go moments to get used to it. so i get home sat around for like 15 mins then realized i need smokes. the store is less then a mile away, and half way there my check engine light came on. when i got to the store i sat for a few. if my clutch isnt pressed in my idle goes from 1000 to 1500 and bounce back down. iam freaking out. __________________ Last edited by warwickben; 11-24-2008 at 05:43 PM..