My buddies 86 SE 5spd just brunt up a clutch. He wants to use my help to replace the clutch since I helped another friend do one on his V6. Now is there an easier way to do the 4 cylinder clutch? When I did the v6 we took the rear driver side suspension arm completely off so the trans could come out the wheel well.

I have heard rumours that if you take off the intake manifold from the 4 cylinder then you can just drop the entire cradle and engine down and it will clear? Anyone know from experience or is this rumour bogus?

Also if anyone has any hints, tips or information sources on rebuilding a clutch on a 4 cylinder it would be much appreciated!

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Alex

stored for the winter

On my 1988 4-cylinder, was able to swing the cradle+ engine down far enough to extract the transaxle through the LHS wheelwell, similar to what you say you did with the V6. Removed the LR suspension.

Did not remove the intake manifold... but did have to remove a little short piece of tubing that stuck directly out of the aft side of the manifold - otherwise, it snags on the sheet metal on the aft firewall as the cradle swings down. Think the tube was part of the PCV system, if I recall correctly.

On pre-1988 models, it might be possible to take out 3 cradle bolts and "rock the cradle" to get the tranny out - but on 1988s, the cradle is hard-mounted (no rubber cradle bushings), so you only pull the 2 rear cradle bolts, and lower the aft end fo the cradle. Therefore, it may be possible to do the job on a pre-1988 Fiero without yanking out the little tube... it's not a biggie to pull out the tube, though, so I'd just pull it. Of course, if you really want to take off the intake manifold, that just about guarantees it'll clear, with room to spare !

Good luck !

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Drop the cradle.

rent a cherry picker and drop it. Easiest, fastest, cleanest. Takes only a couple hours and so much easier to do and work on it!

yea thats what I want to do. The unforunate thing is that I most likely won't have access to an engine crane or "cherry picker". It should be much easier with an 86 cradle since it will swing down.

If Im just doing it with a floor jack and jack stands is it still possible to not have to go through the wheel well?

There are a ton of equipment rental places around. Engine hoists are in their inventory so just pull out the yellow pages and call around. The forty bucks or so it will cost for a weekend is worth it!!!

It is sooooo much easier.

David

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His Fiero: 1984 2M4 Coupe

Her Fiero: 1984 2M4 Convertible