Mazda Rotary Club

Hi guys, this may be a stupid question but is it possible to replace the clutch from your driveway or is it a full up on the ramps\'\' job?

Reason I ask is I think my release bearing is going and will need replacing eventually. Hoping to advoid paying £300 in labour wherever possible.
 
I know some cars you can do at home but no idea about RX7. Has anyone every tried it?
 
All comments welcome,
Dan.

Forgot to say it\'s a FD

Yep, did a full right up on it in the Technical section ;) Complete with pics!
Although it is a fiddle and a 2 man job!

Jono

Thanks Jono

I found your thread just after I posted mine, v.well done with that.
Im quite worried I only have axel stands and that wont be enough to get under it properly ect.

How far off the ground do you think it needs to be?

Cheers,
Dan

There are a few people who have done it from axle stands on here, so it is doable!
Think the pit I used made it more awkward as I was working on my knees all the time and had no lifts etc for the gearbox.... where as you coule use a trolly jack for this job ;)

Jono

I put an Os giken clutch into mine. At home in the garage by myself took a weekend but would recommend you have a hand should bring the time down. And always good to have another set of eyes. If i remember right I only jacked up the front end. As jobs go it wasnt a bad one, little awkward getting the box back in but thats it. Good luck

ive had the gearbox on and off 6 times now with trying to fit a cluch they sent me wrong that wasnt even for an FD. got the new clutch sent and fitted like a dream. 07960525204 if you have any questions or get stuck... but i did it on axle stands. :)

Thanks very much for all the comments.
I have a standard set of axel stands but I was thinking of buying two of the draper \'tall\' ones, max heigh of about 870mm I think so im hoping that\'ll really help. Found them for £66 per pair on ebay. Will link if anyone is interested.

As advised I have got hold of a friend who will lend a hand for the weekend.
Neither of us have done this before so should be good expirence.
 
I think for the time being I will only replace the release bearing, one I know how to do it, second time should be easier rite... lol.
 
Here my next question in regards to the chattering noise which I think might be the release bearing. I can now hear it as I drive off in first. As the car warms up I tend to not hear it as much and by the time im in second I cannot hear anything except for the exhaust... :$...
Would you still [FONT=\'Verdana\',\'sans-serif\'][FONT=\'Verdana\',\'sans-serif\']diagnose [/FONT][/FONT]this as a release bearing?
 
Thanks,
Dan

not sure what happened with the end of my message.
- Would you still diagnose this noise as a release bearing fault?

Does the noise go when you put your foot on the clutch peddle?? this is the norm for a release bairing! also, being the box is off, change the clutch as it will save you a ball ache later ;) but be warned there is a right & wrong way for the friction plate to go in.... it will fit in both ways, but one way it will work & the other you wont be able to disengage the clutch to select a gear ;)

Jono

i replaced the clutch with a new exedy clutch kit... when i pressed my clutch it created a chattering noise... i knew it wasnt the release bearing because it was brand new....so i removed the gearbox again and replaced the pilot bearing inside the eccentric shaft.
Problem solved!
you must replace the pilot bearing when you remove the gearbox. Its like £10 or something silly but if the gearbox is off just do it.
pilot bearing problems can lead to engine failure.

Quote from: Jono FD3;654973Does the noise go when you put your foot on the clutch peddle?? this is the norm for a release bairing! also, being the box is off, change the clutch as it will save you a ball ache later ;) but be warned there is a right & wrong way for the friction plate to go in.... it will fit in both ways, but one way it will work & the other you wont be able to disengage the clutch to select a gear ;)

Jono

Yeah once the clutch pedal is pressed down the noise stops. You can hear the noise in netural and first gear. So annoying. I wasent planning on changing the clutch since I dont think it\'s that old. I understand it makes more sense to while appart but she if coffing black smoke occasionally so Im trying to avoid cost wherever possible just encase.
If I take it off and it looks warn it can stay off the road a few days while a clutch is ordered.
I\'ve heard its a pain trying to find the right clutch, anyone else found that?

I will get that little bearing also.

Dan

Got my clutch from the US from Aimcoclutch (I think it was) on ebay.com and it was bang on! damb site cheaper than in the UK too!!
Also got the pilot bairing with the kit! alsong as you get a clutch for a twin turbo FD3s you will be fine, as if you just say RX7 turbo, you could end up with an FC clutch!!

Jono

Quote from: Jono FD3;655037Got my clutch from the US from Aimcoclutch (I think it was) on ebay.com and it was bang on! damb site cheaper than in the UK too!!
Also got the pilot bairing with the kit! alsong as you get a clutch for a twin turbo FD3s you will be fine, as if you just say RX7 turbo, you could end up with an FC clutch!!

Jono

Ok, thanks v.much, i\'ll have a look :)

Dan

Regular axle stands on their top setting are fine. A mate to steady and help with wiggling the box(!) goes a long way.

S.