yeah if ya havent noticed my pic is a rear cradle bolt thats just trying to get the old one out... imagine trying to get that flush sheared bolt outta the frame... still havent that northern illinios rust is a killer
Yep, last fall is when I took mine out for the first time. I believe I damaged my elbow and have yet to heal completely. Took more strength than an arm has and a rebel yell heard throughout the neighborhood.
[This message has been edited by White 84 SE (edited 04-03-2010).]
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09:01 PM
Apr 3rd, 2010
White 84 SE Member
Posts: 812 From: Chicago, Illinois USA Registered: Nov 2008
Alright, for sure.... The factory manual indicated possible problems with the driven disc (ie clutch plate), fork and bearing assembly, clutch disc binding or warped and clutch to flywheel bolts loose. so here's the clutch in pieces.... The bolts were fine Here's the housing: A good look showed me that the fork was solid and not distorted the bearing rolled freely as does the replacemant although this required some cleaning and some new grease.
So the prob was in fact the clutch disc getting bent and then snapping completely and the debris getting caught up in the splines etc.
I think the mystery is solved although it has yet to be put back in service. More to come.------------------ 84 Duke, Holley TBI, Manual Trans 4.10, CompuCam, White
[This message has been edited by White 84 SE (edited 04-04-2010).]
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05:35 AM
phonedawgz Member
Posts: 17106 From: Green Bay, WI USA Registered: Dec 2009
Ha ha ha. Sorry, I have to laugh. I've taken my trans off the cradle 3 times already this year. Its only april. I did it 3 times last year and twice the year before. In 3 years its the 3rd trans, second clutch/flywheel, and the 4th time on the current trans. Be happy you only have to do it once.
I'm finally starting to get the hang of getting the trans to line back up but it took a lot of practice. Sometimes it drops right in. Other times you fight for an hour and you get nothing. Last time it fought me. I got frusterated and kicked the engine.... it fell in. Honestly, that just pissed me off more! Uughhh is right!
Glad to see it coming back together for you. That old disk looks terrible. Worse then I was expecting.
[This message has been edited by Fieroseverywhere (edited 04-09-2010).]
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09:32 PM
Apr 10th, 2010
White 84 SE Member
Posts: 812 From: Chicago, Illinois USA Registered: Nov 2008
Yea, it wasn't that hard to get it lined up and get some bolts on.... But it seems pretty hard to get everything in place so it can be buttoned up. Haynes manual seems best....get two 4" top bolts on but not tightened (the rear cradle bolts work) and then slide into place. It just seemed to not work. Removing the slave cylinder was important to get one of the bolts in. I think it was a good idea to use the 4" cradle bolt and one of the regular size bolts. That way one of them can be closed to have about a 3/4"" gap. That way the wiggling seemed more productive. After I did that it seemed the lower bolts came easy. With the lower bolts and one of the uppers semi tight the rest were easy. But I think that was key, getting the 2 topmost bolts in. One a 4" cradle bolt in a good 10 threads used as a guide pin the other a regular but only about 5 threads allowing wiggle room.
------------------ 84 Duke, Holley TBI, Manual Trans 4.10, CompuCam, White
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08:56 AM
White 84 SE Member
Posts: 812 From: Chicago, Illinois USA Registered: Nov 2008
Some guys suggest just dropping the entire engine cradle and transmission. I would have to agree at this point. It is a lot easier to drop the transmission into place than to try to lift it into place for anyone without prime dedicated lift equipment. The cradle acts as a guide that way.
------------------ 84 Duke, Holley TBI, Manual Trans 4.10, CompuCam, White
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09:04 AM
Apr 12th, 2010
Fieroseverywhere Member
Posts: 4242 From: Gresham, Oregon USA Registered: Mar 2006
Some guys suggest just dropping the entire engine cradle and transmission. I would have to agree at this point. It is a lot easier to drop the transmission into place than to try to lift it into place for anyone without prime dedicated lift equipment. The cradle acts as a guide that way.
Absolutely. Only once did I try to remove the trans while in the car. This was at a wrecking yard and was the only way. I would never try this at home as it just takes was too much time. Dropping the cradle I can change a clutch in 4-5 hours.
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10:35 AM
Apr 23rd, 2010
White 84 SE Member
Posts: 812 From: Chicago, Illinois USA Registered: Nov 2008
Just wanted to close this thread properly. Recap: Turned out needing a clutch replacement which I did DIY. It was pretty hard for me but I learned a few things. 1ST... It is better to drop the entire cradle than to just drop the transmission only. This has to do with moving things around and the use of dedicated tools vs. the kinds available to a shade tree mechanic. 2ND...Those cheapy torque wrenches are good for most things but for some tight spots the kind that click when set are more usable.
Other than that the 84 Fiero will turn 26 this June and it runs better than it has in 15 years. So, I figure it was worth the efforts.
------------------ 84 Duke, Holley TBI, Manual Trans 4.10, CompuCam, White