d1000rr

^^^ I did my clutch on a drive on lift last season... it was my first time ever doing a clutch job but I did it with a buddy who's a mechanic and it took us about 3 - 3 1/2 hours.

800km's later, my release bearing failed during break in and i had to redo it on jackstands in my garage... took me over 10hours with a buddy... was a nightmare lol

sleepR

​​​​​​10 hours? Nightmare? Even with a buddy? That just convinced me. If I ever need my clutch replaced, I'll ask you who to go to in London!

lpcome

I changed my clutch by myself just before the winter. One man job and did a lot of research. Before this project I knew nothing about clutch.

Some of the notes below
1. To remove the flywheel it's better to use a good compressor and air impact gun.
2. I recommend the dual lock 3.5t jack stands which are high enough to work underneath
3. When remove / install the transmission it's practical to use several wood block to jack it up and balance in the middle
4. I use the act pressure plate and oem release bearing & clutch disc. Also new pilot bearing. Align the PP carefully.
5. Previous owner stripped the screws connecting the bell housing between engine and transmission. I have to find special screws 5mm longer to tighten them up(from accord alternator)
6.since the subframes were lowered, I also bought and installed the spoon rigid collars.

Overall I took out and replaced the transmission 3 times due to missing this and that. Eventually I did it. Total time, maybe 3~4 weeks or 40 hours? I learned a lot of transmission and engine/flywheel knowledge.

haga888

I think I got charged $400 to change my clutch which I thought was a bit steep but versus 40 hours I think I got a steal lol.

lpcome

I think If only the clutch replacement that'll be faster. But I've done additional work such as:
1. took out the flywheel and sent to a shop (Bush) to re-surface (replace new pilot bearing after that).
2. replace new transmission mounts
3. sand and re-grease the rod for clutch slave
4. clean and re-grease the shifter
5. flush clutch fluid
6. install spoon rigid collars
7. replace new bolts for header exhaust connection.
8. etc etc...

I believe the previous owner (or the shop) did a terrible job on the clutch which the parts using have design defects. See below the springs dropped out of the holders. I feel good that all the parts I bought and installed should have followed high standards.

starchland

haga888

Based on nothing except what I get charged for other work and backing into how many hours this approximates. I'm not complaining, I know what I get quoted is usually fair and there's other stuff I've had done that I thought was too cheap.

sleepR

Hmmm just googled a roadtrip to Billman. Ughhh trust issues. Clutch on the S2k can't be that hard for a reputable shop... Riiiiight???

zeroptzero

a reputable shop could handle it, but they need to be familiar with the S2000 IMO and there are lots of little tricks to help make things go smoothly. Probably the main reason I did it myself was that I wanted it done right. Torquing all of the bolts to spec is key on reinstallation, accessing the top tranny bolts is a bit tricky, dropping the subframe correctly is important, having replacement driveshaft bolts is helpful. Lubing the throwout bearing in correct fashion by filling the internal recess (lube for life of the part) is really important or you will be pulling the tranny a couple years down the road for a squeaky clutch. Probably one of the biggest mistakes made by aftermarket shops is imporper throwout bearing lube procedures and incorrect lube. Most shops will substitute a cheaper grease as the Honda hi-temp grease is very expensive. Proper hand-torqueing of the bolts and proper lubrication procedures are key details for me which makes me distrust many shops for work on an S2000. The shop needs to have done several S2000 clutch jobs in order to get it right IMO, far different than working on a fwd Civic.

As crazy as it may sound to take your car to Billman distance-wise, it really isn't a bad idea. He has gotten it down to a science and does it while you wait in short order. Definitely one shop I would not hesitate using.

starchland