NutBucket
Lifer
The time came. The clutch in my 91 Accord was showing signs of wear at 130K. Unfortunately I didn't have the money to buy the motor for the swap so I had to replace the clutch. So I ordered the clutch from a dealer in Arizona (about 25% cheaper and no tax) and went over to my friend's house. He's a fairly accomplished mechanic who offered his services (saved me about $800 in labor). Originally we planned to take out the motor, his usual plan of attack. Last week, we decided to try it the "official" way; just pulling the trans. Mistake #1. What a pain the @ss that was to pull the trans. After spending 2 hours pulling the suspension, intake bits and other miscellaneous things we started lowering the trans only to find it was tight. So we pulled the front cross member. Trans out. So, lets get the flywheel machined and then get the new clutch on. Former, no problem. Latter, that's where the fun begins. I realize I left the throwout I ordered at home. So we hop in the car to go get it (20 mile trip). Then we go to get an alignment tool. After going to 3 stores and calling 4 others, including the dealer, the conclusion is reached that we can't get a tool unless we buy a complete clutch from Pep Boys. Fine. We go back to his place and "customize" one of the alignment tools he has. We get the clutch bolted on and aligned. Next step; replace throwout. Mistake #2. Seems I ordered the wrong throwout, unbeknownst to me of course. Now, we had to go find the right throwout. So, there's another hour. By this time its about 5 pm and we have all the parts. So everything can just be bolted back together, right? Sure, easy. If taking off the trans was difficult, then why would sticking it back on be any harder? Wrong! Balancing act while aligning the shaft etc. So finally its about 6:30 and we have the trans bolted on. Fast forward 3 hours and we have the engine compartment put back together. Thank god my alarm didn't freak out and the car started on the first try.
So what's the moral of the story? Make sure you have all the right parts and have plenty of patience. So, was all this effort worth the $800 in labor I saved. Well, seeing as how my back hurts, my Saturday has been completely used up and how much aggrivation I put myself through, I would say yes. I've never taken apart a car, let alone mine, to the degree I did today. Would I do it again? Prolly. Anyway, I'm completely spent.
So what's the moral of the story? Make sure you have all the right parts and have plenty of patience. So, was all this effort worth the $800 in labor I saved. Well, seeing as how my back hurts, my Saturday has been completely used up and how much aggrivation I put myself through, I would say yes. I've never taken apart a car, let alone mine, to the degree I did today. Would I do it again? Prolly. Anyway, I'm completely spent.
