Clutch install... how hard?
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
Originally Posted by JCOB2
Dope's DIY install guide is great!!! Thank you sooo much Dope. I just completed my first C5 clutch swap. Took me 3 Saturdays. 
Please don't laugh, I know it's a long time, but I think I could do it in half the time next time around (God forbid).
If you are mechanically inclined and have lots of tools, ratchet extensions, and a couple big-daddy jacks, then I say go for it.
The only change I would make to Dope's install guide is the following.
There is one part at the beginning when he talks about getting the e-brake clip out of the retaining bracket, and he mentions that it is a real pain. He talks about using vice grips and lots of little screw drivers to push in all the prongs so it can slip out of the bracket. I screwed around with this for 30 min before giving up and going a different route that I would recommend to anyone.
Just unbolt the mounting bracket!! It is secured by 2 bolts and comes off easy. Once the bracket is off the wheel hub, it's super easy to get access to get that e-brake line out of the bracket.
There are two drawbacks to this:
1. You must pop off your rotor to screw the mounting bracket back in, because these screws secure into the e-brake adjuster assembly, and once you take the bolts out, the assembly will get out of alignment and your bolt holes won't line up anymore. Kind of hard to explain, but it only takes 5 min to pop off the brake-pad retaining bracket and slide off the rotor. In my opinion, much faster than messing around with that darn 1-way locking tab stuff on the e-brake line in a confined area.
2. You must remember to bolt that bracket back on before reattaching the lower shock mount bolts when you're finishing things back up. Otherwise, the shock gets in the way and you'll curse yourself for having to take anything back apart at that point because you are so incredibly sick of having the car apart. Only took me 5 min, but still... Just bolt it back up right after you take it off, after removing the e-brake cable.
Good luck, I say go for it!
Please don't laugh, I know it's a long time, but I think I could do it in half the time next time around (God forbid).If you are mechanically inclined and have lots of tools, ratchet extensions, and a couple big-daddy jacks, then I say go for it.
The only change I would make to Dope's install guide is the following.
There is one part at the beginning when he talks about getting the e-brake clip out of the retaining bracket, and he mentions that it is a real pain. He talks about using vice grips and lots of little screw drivers to push in all the prongs so it can slip out of the bracket. I screwed around with this for 30 min before giving up and going a different route that I would recommend to anyone.
Just unbolt the mounting bracket!! It is secured by 2 bolts and comes off easy. Once the bracket is off the wheel hub, it's super easy to get access to get that e-brake line out of the bracket.
There are two drawbacks to this:
1. You must pop off your rotor to screw the mounting bracket back in, because these screws secure into the e-brake adjuster assembly, and once you take the bolts out, the assembly will get out of alignment and your bolt holes won't line up anymore. Kind of hard to explain, but it only takes 5 min to pop off the brake-pad retaining bracket and slide off the rotor. In my opinion, much faster than messing around with that darn 1-way locking tab stuff on the e-brake line in a confined area.
2. You must remember to bolt that bracket back on before reattaching the lower shock mount bolts when you're finishing things back up. Otherwise, the shock gets in the way and you'll curse yourself for having to take anything back apart at that point because you are so incredibly sick of having the car apart. Only took me 5 min, but still... Just bolt it back up right after you take it off, after removing the e-brake cable.
Good luck, I say go for it!
As far as #2, to make this easier I would unbolt the shock from the top (2 13mm bolts). Then there's no problem re-attaching the ebrake cable. Plus leaving the shocks on the car can get in your way if you keep going in/out of that area while working on other stuff.
Glad you had fun
It seriously took me ~4-5 days to do all the work I did, though it also included installing a new tranny, suspension pieces, little stuff like that that adds up. Plus I had no instructions. Definitely time consuming.
Dope
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 16
From: Nashville TN
The only difficult part is gettting the spline shaft to line back up. Another tip is to cut off some long bolts and then screw them into the bell housing. Use these as guide pins to align the torque tube. Once the spline is in replace the bolts. Once you get that done, you are home free.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
Originally Posted by marlowchris
The only difficult part is gettting the spline shaft to line back up. Another tip is to cut off some long bolts and then screw them into the bell housing. Use these as guide pins to align the torque tube. Once the spline is in replace the bolts. Once you get that done, you are home free.
