5 Tips For Replacing A Clutch

If you are replacing your clutch, pressure plate, or flywheel, here are 5 tips to do it right. if your clutch is worn, burnt, or slipping, replacement may be needed. Or you might be considering a performance clutch. Whatever the reason for you to replace your clutch, you want to be sure you replace it correctly.

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[baladar]

To HumbleMechanic: I've watched almost every video of yours, since I have an MK3 Golf Variant with an AEX engine with 020 transmission, and I'm a mechanic too, with a small shop in a village in Hungary. Your vids are great, and I think you deserve your name.
Volkswagen is a german car brand, however the supply of parts are not that good here in Europe. I saw there are many places in the US where you can order or buy every single part for a VW, it doesn't really matter which type or year the car is. For example: it's obvious that there are many bolts in the car that must be replaced every time you take the engine or the transmission apart, because these bolts yield if you do your job as it needs to be done. The issue is there are some types of bolts that are very hard (sometimes impossible) to obtain, like the bolts that hold the crankshaft and the clutch pressure plate together, or the ones that hold the clutch pressure plate and the flywheel together (it's a reverse clutch). These bolts are not ordinary ones, you can't just buy them in a hardware store. The M7x50mm bolts are like white ravens, and if you order a clutch set that should contain these bolts in the package, you have to deal with the annoying fact: you won't get these bolts, it doesn't matter which brand your ordered clutch set is, the package won't have these included. It's very annoying and sometimes it makes the work even harder, because you need to talk with a machinist who can make the bolts, and you can forget the specifications the factory ordered, if the threads wore out on the originals, or the bolts are yielded already. Plus it costs more than it should.
I saw many websites in the US that can sell such parts, but here we can't order from there, the soup could cost more than the meat in it. The worst thing of it is I could order some parts of a german car from the US, but not from a local supplier. The shipping could cost more than the parts themselves.

[larrydimond]

Good video. Straightforward, to the point, no unnecessary chatter about the wife, kids, dog, or anything else. Good job. Ty

[chiil]

Don't forget the paint marker... I always mark the bolts/nuts with a paint marker (different colors) as I go through the tightening stage (green), then onto the torque stage (yellow). Just my personal preference and makes it easy to remember visually which ones were tightened and torqued.

[thecoolface]

Probably goes without saying but ALWAYS replace the pilot bearing when replacing a clutch, and its never a bad idea to replace the rear main seal since you are in that far.

[moosemobileautorepair]

This is one of the best videos I have ever seen for clutch replacement/installation. Very detailed and concise. Thanks for the tips Charles. Keep up the great awesome work!

[amirkarimi]

Do the rear main seal, look for any unusual play in the gearbox shaft, look for any leakage from the gearbox, when disassembling the clutch check the flywheel for any uneven surfaces to see if it needs to be resurfaced or even swapped with a new one.

[allenstrandberg]

Do the rear main seal while you're in there

[HumbleMechanic]

I can't wait to be able to test this clutch out!

[underwaterdick]

Great tips thanks. I have changed the clutch on my Golf TDI AHF and my Leon TDI ASZ and although I followed similar practices, advice like this could save someone from having to redo their hard work prematurely.

[ridgid]

Thanks for the video. I'm at the transmission removal stage. It was nice to see your calm and positive feedback. I got this!

[PistonShack]

One of the best automotive rapier videos I watched on YouTube. Totally resonating with a way I do my repairs.

[stevenb]

OK so I got a question. Just did a 2015 scion tc 6 speed clutch replacement. Car started the first time. Shut it down, went to restart and sounded like the starter was binding up or not lining up with the flywheel. Removed and redid the process for the installation along with a New starter. Same result. This has me stumped

[rafthirty]

Awesome video, I learned a lotta tips! I’m ordering parts for a 2000 Ford ranger with 197, 000 miles. What besides the clutch kit should I be ordering? Kit includes the throw out bearing, alignment tool, pressure plate

[houl]

All golden nuggets of advice! Upgrading the notoriously weak stamped out clutch fork is the only thing I think you could mention.

[baileyphillips]

I feel like a little extra tip should be to grease the pivot on the clutch fork. Many times have I seen/ heard a squeaky clutch simply due to the fact that there is no lube where the pivot is.

[morgar]

Good Video. Lots of good tips. One I would mention is pressure plate balancing to the flywheel.

[cameronjansz]

Ahh its great watching this video AFTER doing my clutch and seeing everything i did wrong. Reused the flywheel bolts, rattlegunned the flywheel bolts, didnt replace throwout bearing, didnt break in the clutch... Lol

[rookieteacheruncertified]

It's a good idea to think about replacing rear oil seal to your engine while your in there it's behind flywheel, you would hate to have an oil leak and have to pull it back out. Changing pilot bearing should be done as well.if your vehicle has a internal clutch cylinder it should be changed as well. One last thing when using a clutch alignment tool make sure tool is all the way in and that the weight of the clutch disc does not bind the alignment tool as you tighten the pressure plate. When pressure plate is properly tightened and clutch disc is properly aligned with tool the alignment tool should pull out easily. Which will help in the reinstallation of the transmission. Hope this helps Good luck

[crimpcreep]

Is good idea to do rear main seal, mine was in a Frame that had 2 bolts holes on bottom for oil pan that were stripped. So I got New Housing too. Also did crank (gear) seal/ housing, crank gear, which was bad, all the seals on transmission, fuel injector o- rings, new oil pan gasket/baffle, water oulet housing, new CV joints, rebuilt front and back brake calipers and updated All shift rod bushings. 97 Jetta 2.0. Took 3 weekends, but car is running great now.

[spcdegrace]

just ordered a SMF and 6 puck sprung clutch for my mk4. excited to get going on the job this weekend. going to rnr the rear main seal and replace the gear oil in the trans while im at it. cant wait to feel a more aggressive engagement