Preparing for a Clutch Change

[Kev.O]

I need to change my clutch, which I'm thinking of getting a garage to do (not just any old garage btw) and I want to make sure whilst I/they got the box down I get everything that's needed done at that one time. I've got my clutch which came with a pilot bearing and throwout bearing (not sure what the other small bear is for).
I have some V160 gearbox oil. Is it worth me doing anything else whilst I'm there? Bear in mind the gearbox is only 20,000 miles old. Is it worth changing the gearshift bushes, maybe to solid ones like these?
Is there any real benefit to fitting different gearbox mounts like these?

[Gambit]

No idea Kev.
I just wanted to say it's a shame something so shiny can't be mounted externally to go with the rest of your bling.

[Martin F]

I take it your CW clutch didn't recover?

Personally I wouldn't fit solid bushes to either the shifter or the box crossmember (less so the crossmember) because I don't want any of the additional noise these will introduce to the cabin.

I think solid mounts for these sorts of things are getting a bit hardcore, but accept that solid mounts on the shifter tripod would probably improve the feel a fair bit, at the sacrifice of more shifter vibration and noise. May be worth replacing your tripod so that the rubber mounts are new, but I was suprised when I did mine that actually the rubber bushes weren't that bad.

Do you know if the snap rings and various washers were replaced when you had your CW clutch fitted?

If not i'd buy all new as they are relatively cheap.

[Kev.O]

Originally Posted by Martin F

I take it your CW clutch didn't recover?

Personally I wouldn't fit solid bushes to either the shifter or the box crossmember (less so the crossmember) because I don't want any of the additional noise these will introduce to the cabin.

I think solid mounts for these sorts of things are getting a bit hardcore, but accept that solid mounts on the shifter tripod would probably improve the feel a fair bit, at the sacrifice of more shifter vibration and noise. May be worth replacing your tripod so that the rubber mounts are new, but I was suprised when I did mine that actually the rubber bushes weren't that bad.

Do you know if the snap rings and various washers were replaced when you had your CW clutch fitted?

If not i'd buy all new as they are relatively cheap.

TBH Martin, I don't want to get all the way to the dyno, only for the clutch to slip again when Ryan introduces more torque. The clutch is almost outside of it's maximum torque rating.
When I spoke to Ryan the other month, he recommended I change the clutch.
I changed the clutch the first time around and I never replaced the snap rings or various washers, so I'll order these up.
I think I'll pass on the solid mounts as I don't want any increase in noise.
As for the tripod rubbers, do you really think they will need doing, remembering that the box is less than 7 years old and has covered around 25K miles?

Thanks for your input Martin

[Martin F]

The box may be less than 7yrs old but it doesn't necessarily mean that the shifter tripod is. It's a bit of a hard one to call, because as I say when i saw the state of mine I wouldn't have bothered changing it if i'd looked before hand.

[Kev.O]

Originally Posted by Martin F

The box may be less than 7yrs old but it doesn't necessarily mean that the shifter tripod is. It's a bit of a hard one to call, because as I say when i saw the state of mine I wouldn't have bothered changing it if i'd looked before hand.

I don't think I'll take the chance. I'll order a new shifter tripod when I order some parts from Mr.T.

Out of interest Martin, any idea what the float is for in the top of the clutch res?

[Martin F]

Not 100% but I believe it has one of two purposes, either as an aid so that you can see the level easier, or as a safety device to stop air being drawn in if the fluid level drops.

Be nice to know for sure. My new reservoir came with one in as well.

[Kev.O]

Strange question I know, but is your one the same shape all the way around? Ie the shape of a minstral?

[Martin F]

LMAO...yep, looks just like a plastic Minsterel

[Kev.O]

Hmm, just as I thought. Mine no longer looks like that. The clutch suddenly went straight to the floor the other day after a long drive. I'm wondering whether it's a sign that the fluid has cooked, maybe it's an indicator also? My turbo to manifold gasket had blown, so there was effectively real hot exhaust gases being directed towards the res, which I'm guesing should have over heated the fluid, but I'm just clutching at straws (No pun intended).
The clutch worked fine after I stopped the engine for a few mins. Very odd!