Clutch Job Instructions

[fatman1683]

Greetings,

The throwout bearing on my 2000 7.3 started screaming today, so I figure I'm going to need a clutch job in the very near future. After checking prices, it seems I can get the parts for around $4-500, but I'm not sure whether or not this is a job I can do myself.

I fancy myself a passable shadetree mechanic, but a clutch job is outside of my experience. If anyone has any documentation or guide to clutch replacement, I'd appreciate it, if only to convince myself that I'm not qualified to do this and take it to a shop.

Also, how long can I drive the truck with the throwout bearing complaining before I experience some kind of catastrophic failure? I'm not planning any cross-country trips, but it's our family's only four-wheeled vehicle, and trying to bring home groceries on my motorcycle is a pain.


Thanks!

[95dieselsmoke]

If your clutch is ok then all you will need is the throw out bearing. Dont hesitate to do it yourself. I am a driveway mechanic at best and I did it with ease. The trick I learned to save some time is to unbolt the crossmember that the tranny sits on and leave the tranny attached to it and simply slide the tranny and crossmember back. That way you dont have to pull the tranny out from the truck. Its a rather simple job and if you are even the slightest familiar with a wrench, then you can do it.

[tdevinejr]

go for it man there's isn't a better learning tool than experience

[fatman1683]

Thanks for the votes of confidence, and I agree, there's no better way to learn than by experience, but what I really need is instructions or some kind of guide on how to actually do the job. As I said this is my family's only four-wheeled vehicle, so I can't afford to guess at it and possibly screw something up.

If anyone knows where I can find a guide or instructions, short of ordering a factory service manual, I'd appreciate it.

[tdevinejr]

it's just a clutch not that hard just remove everything holding tranny in place. shifter, electrical conn., transfer case,the cross member, bell housing bolts,drive shafts and starter i believe then simply slide tranny back remove old clutch and have the flywheel turned while your at it, change pilot bushing , the rest of the instructions should be in the clutch kit, such as torque specs and such and make such to use the proper alignment tool and take your time then just reinstall the tranny and everything else you removed from it. see simple just don't get overwhelmed and take your time you will do fine, just have faith