thinking about trying it myself ...

[BlackVert]

i'm thinking about taking a day off work here and there and trying to do some of my own work.

i need to change the clutch and i want to install gears.

even though i am good with mechanical things, i have done very little work on cars. do you think i can do it? are hand tools all i need or are there special tools like a torque wrench necessary?

 

[91LX_5L]

iv heard of stories of people like you (not much auto mechaincs work done their-selves) who installed clutches and they wish they just brought it to a shop...

 

[Venom351R]

^^^^^^^^ same thing w/ gears, if you dont have a press and things like that then it can be a real PITA

 

[Sleepy McNastee]

I did the clutch with basic tools(except I had to buy some crazy extensions to get to the top bolts of the bellhousing). Its not that bad ...

I still have the stock 3.08's, but I'm definitely going to have a shop do the gears if I decide to upgrade.

 

[HazMat404]

i agree with sleepy. my pops and i did did my clutch along with taking out my whole engine and a t-5 swap and im a very quick learner but it was the first time doing anything of the sort. i wouldnt dare touch a rearend tho. i have no idea how to do it and it needs to be near perfect back there too

 

[Black95GTS]

clutches aren't that bad, I've helped do one on an Integra... you don't realize how heavy they are when you're on your back so be prepared for a serious chunk of metal and you should be alright, its much easier to do with someone else there.
I wouldn't touch gears, you have to deal with the suspension too and the last thing I'd want is a spring popping loose and heading my way at 300 miles an hour while I'm under the car...

 

[BlackVert]

note to self: don't try to do gears yourself. i'm thinking i should install an aluminum flywheel while i'm in there. yes/no?

 

[Sleepy McNastee]

If you have the cash just laying around taking up space, do it.

IMHO , I would only replace something if it was broken or gave a MAJOR bang for the buck.

 

[rudeone707]

even though i am good with mechanical things, i have done very little work on cars. do you think i can do it? are hand tools all i need or are there special tools like a torque wrench necessary?

The clutch isnt so bad, but i wouldnt dare have anyone else touch my car and charge me to do something i could have done myself. For the clutch you will need some extensions and a swivel, you will want a torque wrench to make sure everything gets torqued good, a pilot bearing puller. While the clutch is off change the rear main seal, and the pilot bearing, and use an OEM throw out beaing, also dont forget to resurface the flywheel or just get a new one.

Unless you know what your doing i wouldnt touch the gears. You need to measure depth and all that **** that goes along with it

I wouldn't touch gears, you have to deal with the suspension too

How do you figure? you dont unbolt the shocks and drop the rear end down. And even when i did my springs, they didnt shoot out, you dont even need a spring compressor.

 

[Sleepy McNastee]

Whoa, I thiught you said aluminum driveshaft....

Uh, nevermind.

 

[shelbe67]

clutch you def. can do yourself gears like the nudeone says you gotta measure pinion depth and stuff like thatits not worth it for like 3-400 bucks you should be able to find a decent shop to do it for you so you wont havta worry bout spitting out your brand new gears

 

[Black95GTS]

I challenge you to a duel! Seriously though, if you're on your back under a car I don't see how you're gonna change a ring an pinion with both the tires and the suspension on there. You need to measure pinion depth, backlash, the carrier bearing preload and the pinion bearing preload. This isn't something you can just toss in there, you have to nail these measurements. If you're on a lift then its a whole different story, but I'm pretty sure that Black96vert doesn't have one laying around. IMO, you're better off paying 200 bucks and have a mechanic with all the right tools do it for you.

 

[highhorseb]

I challenge you to a duel! Seriously though, if you're on your back under a car I don't see how you're gonna change a ring an pinion with both the tires and the suspension on there. You need to measure pinion depth, backlash, the carrier bearing preload and the pinion bearing preload. This isn't something you can just toss in there, you have to nail these measurements. If you're on a lift then its a whole different story, but I'm pretty sure that Black96vert doesn't have one laying around. IMO, you're better off paying 200 bucks and have a mechanic with all the right tools do it for you.

You do NOT need to remove ANY suspension equipment to do a gear swap. You have to remove the rear wheels, brakes, caliper brackets and ABS sensors (these will sometimes break)in order to remove the rear axles. I've done several swaps on jackstands, so a lift is far from necessary. It is necessary to check your pinion bearing preload, backlash, and the mesh of the gears. You will also need the availability of a press for the pinion bearing. If using FRPP gearsets, you can typically get away with using the factory shims in the same locations on the carrier and pinion. Some people even reuse the stock crush collar, which I did once with my car without any problems, but it is not recommended. If you are already doing a gear swap, I would spend the extra $40 for a trac-loc rebuild kit. I also would not touch the factory rear main seal unless your current one leaks, as the replacements tend to leak a bit also.