Is replacing a clutch something an avrage person can do?

Question

I can buy a new clutch for $110 or I can pay a shop almost $1000 to replace it. I can't afford the $1000 so I have to replace it myself. I have a Chilton's and a Hayne's, but it looks like a lot of work. Can someone give me some advice. I need a way to get to work. It is an '85 supra with the 5MGE engine if that helps.

Answer 1

If you are mechanically inclined and have the facilities and tools to do the job, yes, u can. just be sure to get the flywheel resurfaced at a machine shop. If you have any doubt, have a reputable repair shop to do it.
The shop that gave a price of $1000 to do this is severely overcharging and should be reported to the Better Business Bureau. It does not cost that much to replace a clutch.

Answer 2

Yes an average person who is handy with hand tools and has good common sense can replace a clutch. Just be extremely careful and use the proper tools and jackstands to support the car. Also if possible do the work inside your carport or garage out of the weather and on a level surface. Use a transmission jack to remove the transmission. Follow the directions and pictures in the Chilton's Manual and you can do it but again be real careful. I have replaced several clutches in my life time, some have been easy and some have been hard but I've saved a lot of money by doing it myself. But again be careful because you could get hurt, I know a guy who lost a finger when he tried to remove a transmission without a jack supporting it and it fell and crushed his finger.

Answer 3

Welcome to car ownership. Of course an average person can do it. It's like anything else, one small step at a time. You'll sure learn a lot. If this is your first mechanic experience, it will take you longer than you think so get some alternate transportation going first. Manual trannys really aren't that bad once you get in the mood. Buy the tools you need as you go, don't cheap out on tools. Jack the car up so you can set under it and support it super good so it doesn't drop on you. Replace the front and rear tranny seals and throwout bearing too. There's great rewards in knowing how to fix things. Pretty soon you'll be able to build something that most people can't have. Actually $1000 seems too much for that job, you could just ask around for a better price. Good luck.

Answer 4

In a supra, you can change the clutch yourself in a DAY if you follow every step in your chilton's manual to a T. I helped a guy do this online just a few weeks ago, and he was so damned proud of himself I thought he'd tear his shoulder out of joint patting himself on the back. It LOOKS like a big deal, but it's actually a very straight forward process. And pretty simple once you understand the basics of what you're doing. Just run the car up on ramps, chock the back tires, drop the driveshaft, take the linkage loose from the transmission (shiter, and clutch), put a jack under the tranny, remove the crossmember, remove the bolts through the transmission case into the engine block, and pull that sucker out of there. There's your pressure plate bolted to the fly wheel, and the clutch is in between them. Simple. Easy. Take your time, and put everything back EXACTLY as you found it. If you have a digital camera, take lots of pictures as you disassemble the thing, so you can see how it goes back together. LABEL EVERYTHING. Get a magic marker and a roll of masking tape and leave yourself notes so you don't forget what goes where. FOLLOW THE CHILTON'S MANUAL. Best of luck.

Answer 5

Oh, definitely have knowledgeable help if you plan on replacing the clutch yourself. If you have no auto mechanics experience, putting the clutch back together will probably be a difficult and confusing experience. But it's probably a good one. Be sure you have the proper tools to do the job before you start...and make sure to document your work if you don't have a step-by-step of the process in your repair manual.

If you really can't afford to have the clutch replaced by a shop and don't feel comfortable doing the work yourself, I'd try your local community college's automotive service repair technology program. If they are doing engine and/or transmission work, they will be more than happy to replace your clutch...and all they'll charge you is parts. Such programs are always looking for work for the students.

Best of luck!

Answer 6

Lack of money is the reason anybody learns to work on their cars. Replacing a clutch is something you need to know. A Chilton's is a well written manual. Don't rush the job, expect to use up a weekend on your first try. A good set of jack stands and a hydraulic jack (tranny jack if you can afford one) is mandatory. Go for it, you'll be sore, but you won't be sorry.

Answer 7

you can do it in about 8 or 9 hours.If you have done something like this before, Make sure you don't need any special tools and if so buy or rent them before you start, you might want to ask a freind or two to come over just in case you need help. But go for it thats the only way you will learn how to do it,And the reason I know is I stayed at a Hoilday Inn express last night hahahah Just go and fix it.+

Answer 8

if you have any experience with cars you could attempt this.
bare in mind only if it is a standard transmission

what you will have to do is drop youre drive line from trainny to rearend
remove everything from tranny:starter gear shift assembly etc..
keep track of how you remove everything write it down each step,this is cricial to reinstalling tranny
make sure you replace cluth,throughout bearing,resurface plate that clutch mounts to(this can be done for about 40.00 bucks at a machine shop
bleed clutch well when finished

good luck

Answer 9

Go to Autozone and buy a book on repairs or diagrams for your make of the car. Or simply ask them. They're usually helpful. Or try to search for some diagrams on the internet. It won't hurt to try yourself. I don't know crap about cars but I can replace parts like that if I have a diagram. It never hurts to try. If you can't do it yourself...you can pay big money to get it fixed. Either way...you can save if you at least try and do your research. I'm a stupid female and I have changed my own alternater and can change my own oil if needed. You can find the info if you search and ask around.

Answer 10

If you are an aspiring mechanic, I guarentee, the first thing you DON'T want to do is install a new clutch! Chiltons or not, if you don't know your way around the transmission of a car, PAY SOMEONE to do it for you! Do you have a friend of a friend...?