Clutch job, flywheel questions

[mchieff]

Hey guys, my clutch is starting to go so i'm going to be putting in a MBK-7223HD or the VR4SO version.
Questions revolve around the flywheel, and the rest that i need/should do.
Basically i'd like to assemble everything before doing it and the flywheel is always the headache for these jobs.
I've got a place that does magna flywheels on exchange - is it OK to source one of these? I've read we or the magna's have a dual mass flywheel - anyone offer clarification on this please.
Another option is the Extreme Clutch lightened flywheels, any opinions on this or alternatives to this brand out there?
My others on the list are the clutch dampener removal pipe from Meek - generally agreed to be a good idea. Also the rear main seal should be done, transfer case/gearbox fluids can't be avoided i suppose (only just did these :cursing
Anything else people think should be done while i've got the chance (reasonably though, i wont be rebuilding the box just cause its off)

 

[matchtheclown]

A word on the MBK-7223HD.

It's not a 'direct' replacement in that the pressure plate is a little lower than our stock ones. It will move your clutch engage point quite close to the floor. It doesn't matter it works fine... but it does do this. An evo clutch with the fly wheel machined down will leave your pedal in a more central position.

This is meeks advice btw.

 

[mookers]

A word on the MBK-7223HD.

It's not a 'direct' replacement in that the pressure plate is a little lower than our stock ones. It will move your clutch engage point quite close to the floor. It doesn't matter it works fine... but it does do this. An evo clutch with the fly wheel machined down will leave your pedal in a more central position.

This is meeks advice btw.

This is the first I've heard about the pedal position changing. I actually have a 7223HD and when I had it put in, I didn't notice any difference from stock. That is not to say there wasn't a difference though - but I didn't notice anything.

 

[mchieff]

Hmm, then that only raises more questions.
The VR4SO is the evo disc in the magna plate - how would this fare?
How would the Extreme flywheel go with the Evo clutch on it (as the evo is 4mm higher)?
Any opinions on the Extreme HD kit (KMI24003HD - Organic disc, HD cover 1000kg clamp)?
Custom built is always good - i'm waiting to hear on one but if anyone has an old stuffed standard clutch i'd love to get my hands on one!

Oh - just got pricing on the extreme stuff - flywheel 400 and clutch 700

 

[matchtheclown]

Really I can't help much past what I have told you. Chris @ meek talked to me about clutches for about 20mins showing me the difference between the pressure plate I supplied and an evo one and why exedy didn't do the extra bracing on the presure plate for the magna etc. etc.

He didn't like how the pedal moved so close to the ground. Driving wise it's fine.. but if I wanted to adjust my pedal position I might run into trouble because it might not have the travel I needed in the right direction.

I don't know much about clutches. If you could get Chris on the phone at meek (which is rather tough). You might be able to get more straight on this. I beleive he is actually chasing exedy for part numbers on what they are using for the 7223hd and what he thinks it should be to be a 'real' direct replacement'.

 

[mchieff]

Bump for the magna exchange flywheel and the Extreme flywheel - do these definitely fit?

 

[mchieff]

So noone knows if a magna flywheel will fit the legnum?

 

[matchtheclown]

It will fit fine. The mbk-7223hd kit is a direct replacement, your clutch pedal will just have a different engage point... if you were anal it might knot your knickers. Hasn't worried me at all though.

 

[mchieff]

Alright - so Extreme clutches are crappy from the general opinion - anyone got an opinion on the crmo lightened flywheel?

 

[mchieff]

Lightened extreme (the brand) flywheel opinions?
4.6kgs compared to 7.3 stock for 400 bucks?
Is this dear or cheap or even a stupid idea?

 

[VR-04-TT]

I don't think anyone in Oz has done that. It was something I was looking at doing but I never got to it.

My thread on the lightened flywheel

 

[mchieff]

Yeah, i may have blatantly pilfered your idea - the slipping clutch has just sped up the process!!

 

[lathiat]

Magna flywheel does NOT fit on a legnum, the magna flywheel is 8 bolt, the legnum 7 bolt. Found this out the hard way today.

Fortunately a friend came to the rescue and machined my flywheel at 6am on a sunday for me to refit the existing one :>

 

[sn00ze]

Lol lucky kid Trent. Will be changing my clutch soon also have never done one on a vr4. Any little tricks or words of advice on removal of box? Procedure of steps etc?

 

[lathiat]

Answer: Don't

 

[sn00ze]

Lolllll cheers for being so helpful. It's gonna take something pretty badass to scare me. I've got four hoists at work and have done some pretty shitty jobs a la Holden astra and vectra clutches= subframe dropped incl. Steering rack etc. And the radiator sits in the subframe on those too. Great fun they are I promise.

 

[lathiat]

My personal recommendation would it would be a lot easier to drop the k frame and the whole engine out as one. If you have a couple tranny jacks and a hoist. There are quite a few bolts in total bitches of a position, i.e. 2 of the transfer case bolts you need 1 meter+ of extension bar you poke through blind while someone on top guides them onto the bolts.. so you really need 2 people IMHO.

 

[sn00ze]

Lol yeh I understand but I guess I'm a mechanic for a reason, I was too lazy before and paid hills Motorsports to do it and look where that got me.... The clutch they put in lasted me all of 9 months and I'm betting it's not even a hd like the specified on the invoice. My boss works here too so that's two people. I'll try save the 7 or 8 hunjee or even more some are charging

EDIT* just to confirm though you did drop the box with the engine still in correct? Did you drop the subframe etc also?

 

[Taylor]

You can Drop the motor and box out at once without losing the sub frame, it is alot easier to get the transfercase bolts off on the ground however The job is totally doable without dropping the motor. If you do decide to drop the lot then you will need to disconnect your radiator and remove it, I also advise unbolting and pulling the ac condenser up out of the way. (ive had a PS pump go through one) you dont need to discharge the ac system, you can let the pump hang there

Otherwise my advice to you is to go get a short 17mm spanner, like the 10mm long type jobs and a power bar with two long extensions and a 17mm socket.

Remove the cross brace and undo the rear roll stopper. take off the downpipes from there you need to work at removing the top three xfer case bolts. With both rollstoppers removed you should be able to rock the engine on the two main mounts and get your tools up in there. In the past I have removed the rear rollstopper and the mount on the gearbox to give me even more room, Its really not that bad if you just take your time and be patient with it.

Couple of things to remember:

Disengage the retainer spring on the clutch through the little bung on the bottom with a screwdriver, then cable tie the fork back so it cant accidentally be clipped back in again.

You need to pull the through shaft out the passenger side. use a 12mm bolt and slide hammer if you have one at your disposal otherwise there are a few other tricks.

The worst is getting the transfer case off. From there its pretty smooth sailing. I cant stress how important taking your time and having as much light as possible under there is.

Ive had a gearbox off 7 times, twice dropping the lot and and the other 5 just the box, (1 being an auto, never again!!) I can go from having a complete car to gearbox off in three hours, but I know where everything is and what size every bolt is under there!

 

[sn00ze]

Cheers for the tips will take all on board for this. Sometimes an s15 seems so appealing, gearbox out in well under an hour. Rear diff in under an hour. Anyway nuff sh*t, I'll tackle this pretty hard this w/e, I've got a selection of hoists and a boss with mad skills and 35 years in the trade so anything I'm having dramas with he'll help sort out. Like you said just need to take my time and think logically and I'm very confidant it will be sweet