need help ASAP clutch install...engine doesn't spin
 

i started this same thread on another site and am kinda in a bind so i decided to post it here as well for more help

here is the link to the other thread


ok so this is my first clutch job ever

according to the miata.net garage when my transmission was almost completely mated i spun the engine with a ratchet with driveshaft installed and tranny in gear to make sure it would spin the wheels...and it did

but when i got the tranny even closer to the engine (aprox 2-3 exposed threads on bellhousing bolts) the engine wont spin period...not even with tranny in nuetral

i know i saw a post about this somewhere but i cant seem to find it

i replaced the flywheel with a f1 chromoly and an exedy oem replacement clutch

the side that had the springs sticking out further from the disc i installed towards the tranny

i just checked the clutch arm on the tranny and it moves freely

im guessing thats a bad thing but am not really sure

thanks
jared

p.s. with tranny in nuetrel i cant even spin the driveshaft although there is a little play in it

currently i am attempting to pull the tranny off to take another look inside

i have all the bolts back out again and am having trouble getting the tranny out

i have 3 people here including myself

any tips would be appreciated

thanks
jared

Did you use a clutch alignment tool when you tightened up the pressure plate to the flywheel?


Separate the transmission from the engine, inspect for conflicts (including a misaligned clutch disk), and try again. Never expect to have the tranny go together with the engine on your first try when you've never done it before.

If the clutch disk is 2mm off it won't go together. Proper tools are nice.

I have never rotated the engine with the trans only partway in. I always just got it to mate correctly and tightened all the bolts. I have never had it not work. When trying to reinstall the trans make sure that you put a jack under the front of the engine and jack it up as high as you possibly can. This will tilt the backend downwards and make it easier to get the trans in.

yeah i used the clutch alignment tool...

i am still stuck on separating the tranny from the engine if anyone has any tips/tricks
i tried pry bars and nothin

I don't think a prybar will work because you are pushing from one side and it does not come out straight. I pulled my 6 speed yesterday in about 15 minutes. Basically what I did was get my trans jack jacked up to just barely below the trans. I then started wiggling the tail of the trans a little bit. Then jacked up the trans jack tell it was pushing up just a bit and the trans literally just slid back and out.

i had 2 pry bars and i could not quite get them up to the middle of both sides they were more toward the bottom but not on the bottom..it def did not work

lucky you
even the first time i pulled the tranny when it as definetly installed properly it was a HUGE struggle

trans is still in
im hittin the hay and callin off work tomarrow
if anyone has more tips they would be greatly appreciated

thanks
jared

Don't feel to bad about not being able to do it easily. The first time I changed my clutch it took about 18 hours with 3 people. Now I can do it in less then 3 working by myself.

Do you have a transmission jack? If not I highly recommend going to harbor freight and picking one up. Definitely makes the job easier.

Basically the jist is just manhandling the trans around tell it comes out. The more hands on it pulling is usually better.

Make sure your clutch is aligned with the tool and the pilot bearing is free and seated square in the flywheel bore.

one other thing to check is that the clutch actually freely fits on the transmissions input shaft... just in case its the wrong clutch disc center section.

yeah i found a thread on another site where someone had that exact same problem with my exact symptoms

i will definetly check that as soon as i figure out how to get the tranny separated

thanks
jared

My only reason for thinking that... is if it was hard to get on... and a bitch to get off (assuming all bolts are off) then it might have forced/pressed itself into the clutch disc.

Ugh.

maybe that wire harness that runs over the top of the trans behind the engine is clamped to your ring gear....

tranny is out got it with the prybars

now it takes 2 arms and a retchet to spin the engine

did i damage severely?

what do i do from here?

i have the clutch off
the spline is damaged a bit but are being repaired

i tried turning it over with the key but with the transmission out the electronics in the car wont even turn on

what do ya think?
what do i do from here?

thanks
jared

is there a way to jump the starter?

Probably because the starter isn't hooked up anymore either...

Take the clutch, pp and flywheel off

Have a beer
Look at it and make sure nothing looks off.

Have a beer
Put torque flywheel back on and spin the motor to verify everything is good

Have a beer
Verify the clutch allignment tool sits in tightly and assemble the clutch, spin motor again, this will make you feel better. Also verify the release bearing is on properly at this time.

Have a beer
Grab the transmission and slowly raise it up (I usually put it on my chest and push it up from there, I use my knee to keep it level while going in) Rock it a little side to side/back and forth till you feel the splines mate up. When it mates, push it in as far as possible by hand (you should be able to get it pretty tight against block)

Have a beer, wipe a little sweat off, curse yourself that when you buy a house, it will have a lift in it.
Throw all the bolts in, connect starter, give it a crank.
When it starts and goes in gear, go back in the house, clean up.
Don't drive, you've drank too much.

I might have forgot some steps in there

You did install a pilot bearing on the new flywheel right? So that the alignment tool actually has something to line up with?

Just trying to rule out possible little things that could be forgotten.

Can you post any pictures of how it looks damaged?

yes sir
thanks though

+1

Post pictures of what your working with.

The 1st clutch job I did was a pain due to lining things up properly, but that gets easier with experience over time. First time can be quite aggravating indeed. Good luck. :bigtu:

should i just put everything back together and see if it goes?
or will that make a bent crank (if that is what it is) worse?

pics might be comin
flyheel is off

Test fit clutch disc onto transmission.

Also make sure stuff like the splines are all lubed up for reassembly. Assuming stuff isn't to damaged from whatever happened.

Lots of pics... every bit helps us help you.

ok i would like to start by saying thanks to all for all your suggestions

EVERYTHING IS NOW OK

i had my friends father come over(an experienced shade tree mechanic)i told him i would give him a weber progressive carb if he could figure it out (i had one lying around from the bug and it fits his toyota truck) so i didn't have to really spend any money for labor but at the same time it wasn't free

he got the tranny off in like 15 minutes or maybe less even (with pry bars)

after that though the engine was still locked:vash:
and the splines were slightly damaged on the clutch(less than 1/4 in worth)
we repaired that with a file

but the engine was still locked
so he was thinking that maybe i pushed the crank back a bit:idea:
so he put the flywheel back on and started prying the flywheel out away from the motor
half hour later
THE MOTOR IS FREEEEEEEEEEE;)
she spins nicely

then we (or my friends dad i should say) installed everything and the tranny slid on like butter:bowrofl:

i got 4 bolts holdin the tranny on right no and with it in gear putting a ratchet on the nose of the motor it spins nicely

i am sooooo releived

thanks alot guys

Odd. Crank should not be able to move so far as to lock up the motor. Thrust bearings allow for some play... but ... weird.

BUDDY, MAKE SURE THE THRUST BEARING CLEARANCE IS WITHIN TOLERANCE. As splif-time says, the crank shouldn't move that much to bind the motor up. Thrust failure sucks, ask me how I know.

oh so maybe the harness was behind the flywheel. that's my vote still.

How is your oil pump? Excess play in thrust bearing can cause some painful failures. Are you aware that as soon as you push the clutch in you will likely be in crank bind again?

Now you need to pull the engine...

Moral to this story:
Never force anything.

What year is the car?

Thinking 99 thrust failure?