Clutch change saga

[EastPete]

After three years of trying to get local garages and assorted 'expert mechanics' to get me a decent clutch in my 75 CDTi, I am biting the bullet and changing the clutch myself. I have the Tazu Mk1 master in my car, which seems fine and I will leave in place. I have ongoing issues with a grinding/whirring noise (probably release bearing related) when I change gear, with some judder. The car currently has a National clutch kit in it fitted by a former trader on this forum. I am going to fit a Borg and Beck kit with a metal slave cylinder (currently on its way from DMGRS). I am going to do the job by the book - subframe off etc. and I am going to take my time doing it, to try to get everything spot on. I'll post updates in this thread, to act as a guide to members thinking of tackling the job themselves, and also to ask for advice where needed, as I go along.

I started today by jacking the car up nice and high and firmly supporting it on axle stands under the sills. I removed the undertray and n/s wheel arch liner. I cracked the bottom drop link/ARB joint and the lower arm/hub pinch joint. I then drained the gearbox oil (strange finding No. 1: 2 litres came out - I thought these boxes only held 1.6 litres).

I'll crack on as and when time/energy allows. I envisage spreading the job over the next 2-3 weeks, in between work and family commitments.

Wish me luck - it is bit scary doing this for the first time !

Cheers

Pete

[lesron]

Best wishes
Sure if you take your time it should work out fine
And as they say pratice makes perfect and their will be alot of use ouf there to let you pratice on

[DMGRS]

Hello Pete, thanks for the order - it should be with you shortly.
The Metal Slave in my opinion is the best way forward, hopefully your experience is shared with the other members who have one too.

Good luck with the work, especially in the awful drizzly weather we've had recently.

[EastPete]

Originally Posted by DMGRS

Hello Pete, thanks for the order - it should be with you shortly.
The Metal Slave in my opinion is the best way forward, hopefully your experience is shared with the other members who have one too.

Good luck with the work, especially in the awful drizzly weather we've had recently.

Mat - Parts have just arrived safely
Many thanks
Pete

[Arctic]

Hi Pete.
Good luck hopefully with the good hint's given already the job will go smooth, please keep us informed also if you have time to take photo's all the better, from the pic i saw so far at least you have a dry garage to work in albeit maybe still cold, a few cuppa soups will help along the way, hot tomato with some added rainbow pepper

[Heddy]

Cool, all the best with it. I thought you had the metal slave fitted already, as I have. I think mine has been in nearly 12 mths now without issue. The jury is still out whether the metal slave is best or not. I won't go back to plastic again whatever. They seemed to be ok originally but maybe corners have been cut with todays replacements. Anyways, the gearbox is well heavy so take it steady eh?

[EastPete]

Originally Posted by Heddy

Cool, all the best with it. I thought you had the metal slave fitted already, as I have. I think mine has been in nearly 12 mths now without issue. The jury is still out whether the metal slave is best or not. I won't go back to plastic again whatever. They seemed to be ok originally but maybe corners have been cut with todays replacements. Anyways, the gearbox is well heavy so take it steady eh?

I have had a metal slave in there for about a year - I considered leaving it in and just changing the pressure/driven plate, but since the noise sounds release bearing related, I do not want to take any chances re-using the current slave, so I have ordered a new one. I do not think there is an issue with the slave itself - I think my issues may be down to the quality of the clutch kit that is currently in there (National), plus less than optimal fitting techniques used by previous mechanics that have worked on the clutch.

I have an engine crane that I will use to remove/refit the gearbox, so that should make life easier.

Cheers

Pete

[COLVERT]

PETE.

Don't forget French Mikes How-To on here. Could be very useful to you.

Any extra pics though could be handy.---

[EastPete]

Originally Posted by COLVERT

PETE.

Don't forget French Mikes How-To on here. Could be very useful to you.

Any extra pics though could be handy.---

Thanks - I have seen Mike's how-to. I am actually going to follow the more laborious method of dropping the subframe and completely removing the gearbox. That way, you can clean everything up and make sure it all goes back together without (hopefully) damaging anything in the process. Time will tell !

Cheers

Pete

[Yorksroverfan]

Wow.. Well done. I hope you've got someone on standby making plenty of cuppa's