Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Keep it on topic, it will make it easier to find what you need.
Post Reply
User avatar
blurple124
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 3:46 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider

Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by blurple124 »

Hey Everyone!

I've been away for a while, but thanks to BEEK, I've finally got a refreshed transmission to install in my baby!

Trying to get the clutch replaced before the new tranny goes in, but having some trouble. The old clutch is off and we are trying to get at the bearing to replace it. I thought it just slid out, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Does the flywheel need to come off?

How do I replace this bearing?

Image
Image


Thanks!
Charlie
1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800 - Antonia
1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sport
User avatar
azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by azruss »

that looks way too big for a pilot bearing.
So Cal Mark

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by So Cal Mark »

there are two different pilot bearings and generally you use a puller to remove it. There are alternate methods for removal though
Exit98

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by Exit98 »

It will come out. I did it and I'm sure no mechanic.

This link will help:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... lit=+pilot
User avatar
blurple124
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 3:46 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by blurple124 »

Thanks for the input.

I'm with azruss, though, this new bearing seems bigger than the hole there, and it looks like the outer race on the old one is tucked behind the flywheel is this an optical illusion? It looks like the flywheel has to come off in order to replace this; am I wrong?

Mark, what two bearings are you referring to?
Charlie
1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800 - Antonia
1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sport
Jimb
Posts: 740
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by Jimb »

Its a shame to get this far into a rebuild and not resurface the flywheel.
It will never be easier than now. Also before reinstalling the new pilot bearing it helps to freeze it first
Jim
vandor
Posts: 3996
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
Location: Texas, USA

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by vandor »

The pilot bearing is the same size as the hole in the flywheel, but I believe the plate under the flywheel bolts will keep it from coming out.
If you are this far into it you should consider removing the flywheel and replacing the rear crank seal. The flywheel should be surfaced or at least made rough with some fine emery paper.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
Jimb
Posts: 740
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by Jimb »

my pilot bearing (1985.5) was a press fit into the flywheel, it was not held in by the plate you refer to...which is why I suggested freezing the bearing.
Jim
User avatar
azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by azruss »

i"ve heard of some real oddball removing method. I think i removed mine by blowing compressed air down the middle of the bearing. I think other have used a grease gun and forced it out that way.
76was124
Patron 2019
Patron 2019
Posts: 620
Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 4:43 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Detroit Area

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by 76was124 »

Ditto the "resurface the flywheel" while you are at it. Also, this link should helphttp://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... se#p209480
Current 81 Spider 2000
Previous 76 Spider
Exit98

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by Exit98 »

When I did my clutch last year I put in a Miller's Mule lightened flywheel. Big improvement.

A/R has them too.

Now's the time.

Did you read the link about using Wonder Bread to get the pilot bearing out?
majicwrench

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by majicwrench »

I use a bunch of diff tools depending to get em out. Basic slide hammer works.

I would try Wonder Bread before grease, although I have never done either (maybe the grease decades ago)
You would then be one of the few people in the world that fixed their car w Wonder Bread!

I would not surface that flywheel "just because". Did it chatter before?? Just like a head, you only have so much metal to work with, the moment you shave it you have changed the geometry of the system. I go over flywheels with a sanding board.
76was124
Patron 2019
Patron 2019
Posts: 620
Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 4:43 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Detroit Area

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by 76was124 »

majicwrench wrote: .... I would not surface that flywheel "just because". Did it chatter before?? .
@majicwrench....Looking at the full picture I wasn't sure that flywheel had been used in a long time......will that surface clean up well enough with a block and stay truly flat? If so, I probably could have skipped resurfacing mine
Current 81 Spider 2000
Previous 76 Spider
vandor
Posts: 3996
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
Location: Texas, USA

Re: Clutch Replacement: Urgent, please!

Post by vandor »

> my pilot bearing (1985.5) was a press fit into the flywheel,

83-85 pilot bearing is smaller than the earlier ones, so it comes through without removing the flywheel.
I wonder if that's why they changed the side.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
Post Reply