So, I’m Gonna Try to Change a Clutch . . .

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

So, I’m Gonna Try to Change a Clutch . . .

Post by FRUNKenstein » Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:33 pm

I know it’s not unusual for an amateur mechanic to change a clutch. But, at 57 years of age, I’ve never done it. I’ve paid for new clutches in the ‘87 944 Turbo and the ‘87 X1/9 in the past couple of years. The ‘73 914’s clutch has had a chatter since I got it, and after a daylong drive a few weeks ago, I decided it’s time to swap it out.

I ordered a tall transmission lift rated at 1,100 pounds off eBay for $230 with shipping. It arrives this week.

I ordered an 18-piece clutch kit from one of the 914 aftermarket parts specialist - www.autoatlanta.com. It includes a new flywheel (914 flywheels don’t refinish well, apparently) and a whole bunch of other seals and clips and washers and bits that are best to replace WYAIT. And a booklet on how to change a 914 clutch. That was about $867 with shipping. It arrives this week also.

There are good DIY guides for 914 clutch replacement online, also. I’ve got a decent set of tools, and a 4-post lift. My son, max$wag, who is a senior in college studying mechanical engineering, will be home from college on December 16th. I told him I’d wait for him to get here before starting the job. I figure it will be good experience for him, plus good help when I run into the inevitable unanticipated problem. I’ll keep this thread updated with thoughts, lessons learned and progress.

Here’s the victim, er, uh, patient:

BAD28089-943B-4A4C-BE61-41FA6CE149FE.jpeg
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: So, I’m Gonna Try to Change a Clutch . . .

Post by FRUNKenstein » Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:39 pm

Here’s the transmission lift:

774C7B56-F9D6-470C-A02B-9542601243E0.jpeg
774C7B56-F9D6-470C-A02B-9542601243E0.jpeg (120.02 KiB) Viewed 1286 times

Here’s the clutch kit:

05ED9DFF-06F6-4602-A32A-2AE877932FBD.png
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
32wildbilly
Never gonna run around and desert you
Posts: 5759
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 2:46 pm
Location: Kneebraska

Re: So, I’m Gonna Try to Change a Clutch . . .

Post by 32wildbilly » Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:41 pm

How does that work in a 914? Do you drop the engine or the transaxle assembly? I've never messed with a mid-engine car.
FRUNKenstein wrote: Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:33 pm I know it’s not unusual for an amateur mechanic to change a clutch. But, at 57 years of age, I’ve never done it. I’ve paid for new clutches in the ‘87 944 Turbo and the ‘87 X1/9 in the past couple of years. The ‘73 914’s clutch has had a chatter since I got it, and after a daylong drive a few weeks ago, I decided it’s time to swap it out.

I ordered a tall transmission lift rated at 1,100 pounds off eBay for $230 with shipping. It arrives this week.

I ordered an 18-piece clutch kit from one of the 914 aftermarket parts specialist - www.autoatlanta.com. It includes a new flywheel (914 flywheels don’t refinish well, apparently) and a whole bunch of other bushings and washers and bits that are best to replace WYAIT. And a booklet on how to change a 914 clutch. That was about $867 with shipping. It arrives this week also.

There are good DIY guides for 914 clutch replacement online, also. I’ve got a decent set of tools, and a 4-post lift. My son, max$wag, who is a senior in college studying mechanical engineering, will be home from college on December 16th. I told him I’d wait for him to get here before starting the job. I figure it will be good experience for him, plus good help when I run into the inevitable unanticipated problem. I’ll keep this thread updated with thoughts, lessons learned and progress.

Here’s the victim, er, uh, patient:


BAD28089-943B-4A4C-BE61-41FA6CE149FE.jpeg
Never gonna make you cry...

User avatar
Einsteiger
Posts: 455
Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2018 11:40 am
Location: Overland Park KS

Re: So, I’m Gonna Try to Change a Clutch . . .

Post by Einsteiger » Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:43 pm

I would be happy to act as the event photographer to capture the carnage for future generations to learn from. :)
Kevin
1999 C2 - Vesuvio Gray Metallic
Eastern Kansas

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: So, I’m Gonna Try to Change a Clutch . . .

Post by FRUNKenstein » Sun Nov 28, 2021 7:12 pm

32wildbilly wrote: Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:41 pm How does that work in a 914? Do you drop the engine or the transaxle assembly? I've never messed with a mid-engine car.
Apparently, some guys drop the entire assembly and then split the tranny from the engine when it’s out. That way you can access the engine for cleaning and other services. But, to do the clutch, all you really need is to drop the tranny. That’s my plan.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: So, I’m Gonna Try to Change a Clutch . . .

Post by FRUNKenstein » Sun Nov 28, 2021 7:15 pm

Einsteiger wrote: Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:43 pm I would be happy to act as the event photographer to capture the carnage for future generations to learn from. :)
Absolutely! Might be fun to get Fred to organize a tech session in my garage. As long as we stay in the garage, my wife should be fine with it.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
32wildbilly
Never gonna run around and desert you
Posts: 5759
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 2:46 pm
Location: Kneebraska

Re: So, I’m Gonna Try to Change a Clutch . . .

Post by 32wildbilly » Mon Nov 29, 2021 5:38 am

Just be careful and pics would be appreciated if the "clutch party" does take place.
FRUNKenstein wrote: Sun Nov 28, 2021 7:12 pm
32wildbilly wrote: Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:41 pm How does that work in a 914? Do you drop the engine or the transaxle assembly? I've never messed with a mid-engine car.
Apparently, some guys drop the entire assembly and then split the tranny from the engine when it’s out. That way you can access the engine for cleaning and other services. But, to do the clutch, all you really need is to drop the tranny. That’s my plan.
Never gonna make you cry...

User avatar
02TX996Cab
NG (Second 100 Outposters!)
Posts: 298
Joined: Fri May 18, 2018 8:09 pm
Location: North Central Texas

Re: So, I’m Gonna Try to Change a Clutch . . .

Post by 02TX996Cab » Mon Nov 29, 2021 5:59 am

If the 914's engine/transmission layout is anything like a Beetle's, it should be a fairly straightforward job with only a modest use of "colorful" language. (The diagrams on AutoAtlanta appear to show a four-bolt connection of the engine to the transaxle, identical to my old Beetle's layout.)

Before you start, take a look at the condition of the rubber seals that (attempt to) close off the gaps between the engine/transmission compartment and the rest of the bodywork. If they're in bad shape (dry, brittle, already torn, etc.) you'll want to replace them when reinstalling things. You'll need them on hand before you start -- they're not a stock item at your local AutoZone.
Proud owner of a Flat6-powered 2002 996 Cab, 2016 GT4, 2019 Ford F-150 "Country Cadillac", and 2005 Ford Focus (not so hot hatch) daily driver. And a Wright ZTO 52" to keep several acres of grass-like substance neat and tidy!

User avatar
5chn3ll
Six shots...or only five?
Posts: 4640
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 4:35 pm

Re: So, I’m Gonna Try to Change a Clutch . . .

Post by 5chn3ll » Mon Nov 29, 2021 8:14 am

I'm just here for the pics

Understeer: You will hit the wall with the front end.
Oversteer: You will hit the wall with the rear end.
Horsepower: How hard you will hit the wall.
Torque: How far you will move the wall.

Gone hunting with Alec Baldwin and Dick Cheney. Back soon.

User avatar
FRUNKenstein
Curator Extraordinaire
Posts: 3938
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:02 pm
Location: Wheat field, dammit, wheat!
Contact:

Re: So, I’m Gonna Try to Change a Clutch . . .

Post by FRUNKenstein » Mon Nov 29, 2021 8:14 pm

02TX996Cab wrote: Mon Nov 29, 2021 5:59 am If the 914's engine/transmission layout is anything like a Beetle's, it should be a fairly straightforward job with only a modest use of "colorful" language. (The diagrams on AutoAtlanta appear to show a four-bolt connection of the engine to the transaxle, identical to my old Beetle's layout.)

Before you start, take a look at the condition of the rubber seals that (attempt to) close off the gaps between the engine/transmission compartment and the rest of the bodywork. If they're in bad shape (dry, brittle, already torn, etc.) you'll want to replace them when reinstalling things. You'll need them on hand before you start -- they're not a stock item at your local AutoZone.
Will do - I’ve already got the car on the lift so it should be easy to take a look.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

Post Reply