Clutch replacement tips tricks and Q's
#1
Senior Member
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: May 2009
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 983
Total Cats: 23
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
So i just finished my clutch replacement basically following samnavys instructions found here:
https://www.miataturbo.net/showthrea...ch+replacement
It did take a long time, but was my first time touching the transmission of the drivetrain. Along the way i found a few little tricks that might help out some other people.
1. Make sure you have a quality Universal joint for your sockets. I broke one, it sees a lot of torque.
2. If you are using a rope pulley through the shift hole, which you should be because its awesome, you can close the driver side door on the rope to hold it for you.
3. Duh, remember where all the bolts came from, it took me like 20 minutes to figure out where the one longer transmission bolt went.
4. Change your transmission gear oil! i put in redline mt-90 and its like butter now.
5. When you spill oil out the rear of the transmission when you're putting it back on, which you will, you can just use a hose through where the shifter goes to fill it with a funnel, no stupid pump necessary.
Now for my question.
I put the new clutch on and the pedal was super soft, and wouldnt shift through the gears when running, so i adjusted the screw and got it so where it shifts now fine. But theres still a huge soft spot before it engages.
1. Keep adjusting the screw till its good?
2. I need a new clucth slave?
3. Bleed the system theres air in there.
Thanks.
https://www.miataturbo.net/showthrea...ch+replacement
It did take a long time, but was my first time touching the transmission of the drivetrain. Along the way i found a few little tricks that might help out some other people.
1. Make sure you have a quality Universal joint for your sockets. I broke one, it sees a lot of torque.
2. If you are using a rope pulley through the shift hole, which you should be because its awesome, you can close the driver side door on the rope to hold it for you.
3. Duh, remember where all the bolts came from, it took me like 20 minutes to figure out where the one longer transmission bolt went.
4. Change your transmission gear oil! i put in redline mt-90 and its like butter now.
5. When you spill oil out the rear of the transmission when you're putting it back on, which you will, you can just use a hose through where the shifter goes to fill it with a funnel, no stupid pump necessary.
Now for my question.
I put the new clutch on and the pedal was super soft, and wouldnt shift through the gears when running, so i adjusted the screw and got it so where it shifts now fine. But theres still a huge soft spot before it engages.
1. Keep adjusting the screw till its good?
2. I need a new clucth slave?
3. Bleed the system theres air in there.
Thanks.
#6
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I ended up filling my 5 speed with a long aquarium hose I stole from my wife, ran it basically against the downpipe and up the driver's side of the car. The cone on the end of the trans fluid bottles fit the end of the hose, other end in the trans. Not bad.
Incidentally, all fish are now dead.
Incidentally, all fish are now dead.
#7
Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chatsworth, SoCal
Posts: 948
Total Cats: 1
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Have a great day,
Jared
#8
Senior Member
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Killen, AL, 35645
Posts: 794
Total Cats: 10
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Not that I don't believe you, but can anybody else confirm this? Does that mean I need to fill my 6-speed up to the shifter turret, or fill it up to level with the fill hole on the side of the transmission?
#9
Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chatsworth, SoCal
Posts: 948
Total Cats: 1
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The previous owner of my car tried to do the fill through the turent and ended up overfilling the trans by half of a quart. it is still best to fill it through the fill hole on the drivers side of the trans. You can use the turent but be carefull not to over fill.
Have a great day,
Jared
#11
Senior Member
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: May 2009
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 983
Total Cats: 23
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
To mgerrofieau I am an 18 year old kid and although i completely fabricated my own turbo setup, this was the first time ever doing something this big to a car. It is scary at first, but its not that hard truthfully and theres not many ways to mess up.
#12
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have a feeling we're talking about different holes here. ![wink](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/wink.gif)
You're talking about the driveshaft hole. I'm talking about the hole that the shifter goes into.
You can leave the driveshaft in when you drop the tranny to keep the oil from leaking out there. I had decent luck with a latex glove and a bunch of rubber bands.
![wink](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/wink.gif)
You're talking about the driveshaft hole. I'm talking about the hole that the shifter goes into.
You can leave the driveshaft in when you drop the tranny to keep the oil from leaking out there. I had decent luck with a latex glove and a bunch of rubber bands.
#13
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
5 Speed, fill through tranny fill port until fluid comes out, close fill port, then fill fluid in the shifter turret seperately.
6 speed, remove fill plug in tranny. fill tranny through fill port -OR- through shift turret until fluid comes out fill port. then close fill port.
#16
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Almost everyone forgets to fill that turret up, and yes, you NEED to fill it. I think people online have recommended putting ATF in it, but I put proper gear oil in it. I used to use ATF, then when I did my last motorswap and drained the tranny oil, I realized the ATF seaped from the turret into my main transmission fluid. It was nice and red, and not healthy at all.
#17
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I will confirm his information.
5 Speed, fill through tranny fill port until fluid comes out, close fill port, then fill fluid in the shifter turret seperately.
6 speed, remove fill plug in tranny. fill tranny through fill port -OR- through shift turret until fluid comes out fill port. then close fill port.
5 Speed, fill through tranny fill port until fluid comes out, close fill port, then fill fluid in the shifter turret seperately.
6 speed, remove fill plug in tranny. fill tranny through fill port -OR- through shift turret until fluid comes out fill port. then close fill port.
Clutch replacement is very easy. Just make sure you don't cheap out and not get the alignment tool.
#18
mkturbo.com
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/admin.png)
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 15,189
Total Cats: 1,685
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
This is full of WIN since I haven't filled my 6 speed yet, or put in the shifter. It hurts your feelings when the motorcraft synthetic stuff spills. No competition in this area. Two qts from FORD was $50.
Clutch replacement is very easy. Just make sure you don't cheap out and not get the alignment tool.
Clutch replacement is very easy. Just make sure you don't cheap out and not get the alignment tool.