So my Ap1 (2001) has 121,500 on it - 4yrs of autocrosses and ~500 track miles and the shifts don't seem as crisp as when it was newer. Hey, I'm not complaining, I think over 120k with a stock S clutch is doing pretty damn good.

Since we're in a recession, I'm trying to cut back on the cost. I was quoted $1,557 for parts and labor so I'm thinking of doing the replacement myself

So here are the questions I have:

* How hard is it to change the clutch in an S (w/ car on jack stands not on a car lift)? I remember changing one in my MGB was a pain in the ass - taking out both the engine and trans then splitting them was actually easier than taking the engine out alone (couldn't take the trans out from the bottom).

* Since the pressure plate is $403, half the cost of the parts, I'm considering using the original pressure plate. Is this a good idea? How do I clean up the mating surface of the plate, with steel wool? If there are any scoring marks on the mating surface of the disc, can that be machined or will I have to toss it?

Warren

 

Honestly ... Cheaping out on the labour and doing it yourself is fine, provided you know what you are doing

However, I would change all the parts. The PP is probably pretty dead with all the mileage you have racked up ...

 

MOD...
Please move this to the Under The Hood forum. I accidentally posted it under S2000 Talk.

Warren

 

No no no. You should definitely replace the pressure plate. The only thing that you may want to reuse is the flywheel and that's if it's not warped and can be turned. Turning will run around 80 bucks.

Anyway, what happens with the pressure plate is that as one constantly engages the clutch, the little tabs on the end that act as springs/pressure for friction disc get harder and harder and harder, then one day they snap and break. Highway driving much easier on PP, since one rarely shifts, but lots of local miles is hard on a PP.

Have you ever taken a piece of plastic or metal and bent it back and forth, back and forth constantly.... it's hard at first, then gets pliable, but then you see the metal or plastic get so compressed at the fold it starts tearing. That's what happens to PPs.... So yea, definitely replace it.

 

It's alot of work without a lift. You need to tilt the motor back for the tranny to clear. It's a solid 8 hr job and the upper starter bolt is not fun to get out. I would replace the pressure plate because you dont want to pull the tranny twice.

 

It can be done with a good set of tools and 4 jack stands. Replace everything. It's a good bit of work to have to go back in. As long as your patient the job is very straight forward. You should ask for help getting the tranny in and out. You can do it alone with a jack, but it's so much easier with help.