Clutch Replacement procedure

[Stevo1111]

Hey guys,
I have a 2001 Liberty RX and when i bought the car the previous owner stated he had the clutch replaced in 2010, no receipts to prove, its done 190,000 now and it doesn't feel like theres much left of it. Once i dropped the clutch after revving it up in 4th to hurry the power up a bit which resulted in an almighty clutch slip followed by the horrible burnt clutch smell, learnt my lesson there. That was a few months ago and its still hanging in there fine, has not slipped since. So im really not sure how long it has left in it. Anyway, i'll be replacing the clutch myself as i've done it a few times, but never on a subaru. A few people have told me that the engine needs to be taken out to do the clutch, which doesn't seem correct and the flywheel bolts need a special tool to be taken off. I know I need a new flywheel with a clutch kit and have had many quotes from 750 to 3500 for just the clutch kit and new flywheel. Subaru quoted me 1000 for a genuine one, so im not sure what to get. Is there any cheapish kits i can get for under 1000 and is there anything I need to know before doing the job. Thanks.

[Jack_Keaka]

Hey guys,
I have a 2001 Liberty RX and when i bought the car the previous owner stated he had the clutch replaced in 2010, no receipts to prove, its done 190,000 now and it doesn't feel like theres much left of it. Once i dropped the clutch after revving it up in 4th to hurry the power up a bit which resulted in an almighty clutch slip followed by the horrible burnt clutch smell, learnt my lesson there. That was a few months ago and its still hanging in there fine, has not slipped since. So im really not sure how long it has left in it. Anyway, i'll be replacing the clutch myself as i've done it a few times, but never on a subaru. A few people have told me that the engine needs to be taken out to do the clutch, which doesn't seem correct and the flywheel bolts need a special tool to be taken off. I know I need a new flywheel with a clutch kit and have had many quotes from 750 to 3500 for just the clutch kit and new flywheel. Subaru quoted me 1000 for a genuine one, so im not sure what to get. Is there any cheapish kits i can get for under 1000 and is there anything I need to know before doing the job. Thanks.

with the boxer engine there is 2 options. 1) take the engine out. 2) take everything off the bottom side to get at it. (very annoying either way)
i had mine replaced about 7months ago and for the clutch kit and flywheel and labour it came to $1500. that was with a cheap kit (was cash strapped at the time)
for parts talk to PhatGT (on here somewhere) - he can get stuff cheap from Japan.

[Stevo1111]

So option two, drop the tranny and go for it? Easier said than done but is it easy enough to just remove all the shafts and linkages etc, unbolting from the engine and will it just come out? Was you're cheap kit an excedy clutch my any chance? I've heard some pretty bad things in other threads about them.

[Jack_Keaka]

So option two, drop the tranny and go for it? Easier said than done but is it easy enough to just remove all the shafts and linkages etc, unbolting from the engine and will it just come out? Was you're cheap kit an excedy clutch my any chance? I've heard some pretty bad things in other threads about them.

no it was a 'Coppermix' its uber gay and i hate it (not to mention the guy did a bogey job and its bee playing up since). if you have a car lift to be able to drop the tranny then go for that option but if you can't raise the car its probably easier to take the engine out.
from what i have come to learn after wards is that i should have gone for a Exedy heavy duty clutch with a single mass fly. I've not heard bad things about them? maybe someone else can shed some light on that one...

[Dropz]

if you have a dual mass flywheel you need a special torx bit, also its a good idea to hit the bolts 2-3 times with a hammer first to help crack them off. I've snapped a specialty tool because I failed to do this....

Dropping the gbox is the easiest way, don't take the engine out. It took me about 1hr at home to get the box out. can take 30-45 minutes at work with a hoist and a better air compressor for my tools haha.

You don't NEED a flywheel, you could just get it machined and refit it which is the cheapest option.

[Jack_Keaka]

you could just get it machined and refit it which is the cheapest option.

unless, like mine, it had already been previously machined and was beyond repair

[Stevo1111]

if you have a dual mass flywheel you need a special torx bit, also its a good idea to hit the bolts 2-3 times with a hammer first to help crack them off. I've snapped a specialty tool because I failed to do this....

Dropping the gbox is the easiest way, don't take the engine out. It took me about 1hr at home to get the box out. can take 30-45 minutes at work with a hoist and a better air compressor for my tools haha.

You don't NEED a flywheel, you could just get it machined and refit it which is the cheapest option.

Every mechanic i've been to have said the dual mass can't be machined? Whats the deal with that? I have access to a car hoist so ill drop the tranny. As for the tool, whats the name of it so i can get one off ebay or something? Cheers.

[Jack_Keaka]

Every mechanic i've been to have said the dual mass can't be machined? Whats the deal with that? I have access to a car hoist so ill drop the tranny. As for the tool, whats the name of it so i can get one off ebay or something? Cheers.

you can machine a dual mass, not an easy process. just get a solid fly.

[Stevo1111]

Ill just get whatever comes in the kit, i cant see myself still driving the car when it needs a 3rd clutch replacement unless something absolutely devastating happens, which we shall not discuss

[brainy]

You need a t50 torx bit to get the flywheel off.

Highly recommend the solid mass conversion. With the flywheel in the upright position, putting it back on is a serious pain and something I gave up on after many goes. The 9 lugs just wouldn't sit right to go in all the way around. I guess to line it up properly, u would need the engine out and laying down.

The gen3 to which we did the clutch and flywheel conversion to, revs quicker and is quicker as well.

Curious to know, do u get that dual mass flywheel squark noise?

Have u already ordered your clutch? If not I can dig up the details on the company in Pakenham.
I think the exedy clutch and flywheel kit was about $750.
Jaydece put me on to them, they were awesome.

Brian

[Stevo1111]

You need a t50 torx bit to get the flywheel off.

Highly recommend the solid mass conversion. With the flywheel in the upright position, putting it back on is a serious pain and something I gave up on after many goes. The 9 lugs just wouldn't sit right to go in all the way around. I guess to line it up properly, u would need the engine out and laying down.

The gen3 to which we did the clutch and flywheel conversion to, revs quicker and is quicker as well.

Curious to know, do u get that dual mass flywheel squark noise?

Have u already ordered your clutch? If not I can dig up the details on the company in Pakenham.
I think the exedy clutch and flywheel kit was about $750.
Jaydece put me on to them, they were awesome.

Brian

Would it be possible to get the flywheel on with two people? One holds it in the right position while the other one bolts it up? My clutch bearing makes a squeaking noise because its going bad, thats about it. Autopro quoted me the same for the excedy clutch, is the flywheel that comes with it a solid? Thanks for your help man.

[Dropz]

The flywheel will be solid if one is included in the kit.

[Stevo1111]

Okay cool, probably go with that.