2003 nissan almera petrol.i am an elevator installer by trade but have worked as a fitter in a hire center for the last two years.i would have a good understanding of all things mechanical and im used to stripping machines and changing parts on anything from generators to chain hoists and mini excavators.i have never worked on a car clutch however and im wondering should i leave it to a professional or have a go myself?
Well its tricky of course but if you have good mechanical knowledge and understand some hydraulics then all you would need is the right tools and the time, and you can find diagrams online of your specific model and the break down of it, i did mine with a repair manual in about 5 hours i am by no means professional just someone that has learned through experience and is glad to share it.
You will need a good car jack to be able to work underneath the car and you need two people to lower the gear box, and replace it later.
Best find a buddy who has done one. You supply the beer. It's not hardest thing to do, but without a lift it's a pain... Be absolutely sure it's the clutch before you start. If it's a hydraulic clutch it can be the hose or the slave cylinder. In that case it doesn't want to disengage.
No beer until the job is done! I am a DYI type myself, and have owned a lot of second hand (or more cars). From seeing the problems others have made, it is my conviction that beer and mechanical work do not mix. If you can find an engine hoist to rent (or buy) at a reasonable price, and have a second car to use for a parts runner- give some thought to doing it yourself. The sticking point on this job will come at one of two places (based on past experience)- 1. Pilot bearing. There is a special tool/s that may be needed. Some times they don't work because the old one is too far in (see the beer issue). So I have resorted to a die grinder more then once to get the old one out. Please don't do all this work with out replacing it, failure to do so can ruin the input shaft on some transmissions (see the beer issue). 2. Resurfacing the flywheel. If done soon enough the glaze will at least need to be broken for the new clutch to seat and work right. Other wise clutch chatter happens. If you have waited too long to do the job it will need resurfaced (the reason for a back up car). Of course if you get a spare fly wheel in advance (used or a light weight one) this can be avoided. Of course there will be something that goes wrong (putting the clutch disk in backwards, lost bolts, difficultly separating the assemblies or any one of other things). But if all goes close to plan, it is a four hour job. If things go wrong there might be a days delay waiting for parts. So plan accordingly.
