View topic - Clutch replacement

Hey,
I have a supercharged 2002 X with a bad throwout bearing. I plan to do a full clutch replacement with new clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing and pilot bearing. After getting quotes for well over $1000 I plan to do it my self. I am pretty comfertable working on cars, I have rebuilt engines, replaced timing belts as well as some suspension work.

So here is my question.
After reading the manual and researching the job it sounds like i need to drop the torsion bars. However, after looking at it during the last oil change, it looks like you could get the crossmember out with out to much trouble without droping the torsion bars.
Has any one actually done this job and know weather or not it is actually nessary to drop the torsion bars? I have search the forum here and it seems that alot of people know you have to remove the T bars, but how many have actually done this job and know for sure?

You don't necessarily have to drop the t-bars. On my last clutch change (don't ask) they dropped the transfer case and went in that way. The Nissan method is a bit of a "shortcut." Either way works. If you do drop the t-bars, just count the full turns in backing out the adjuster nut and put it back the same amount on re-install.

I'm planning on replacing the clutch in my 2001 XE in a couple of weeks. See here:
http://xterrafirma.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=5642

Given your post above, what do you think would be the "easier" way to do it:

Remove T-bars, drop trans and T-case together
or
Separate T-case and trans, leaving T-bars in place

?

If dropping the T-bars, which is a better method of getting them back in the right place, counting turns, or marking their positions before disassembly (or both)?

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2001 XE V6 5spd 4x4
Just Blue


...and a Bimmer

Now that I'm in the middle of it, I can answer my own question:

Removing the T-bars was not a big deal at all. I measured the positions of the adjustment bolts before I took the bars out.

It would have been much more difficult to separate the trans & t-case. Plus, removing the exhaust downpipes would have been much more difficult with the t-bars in the way.

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2001 XE V6 5spd 4x4
Just Blue


...and a Bimmer

Its easier to just take out the t-bars, than to take out everything that they are attached to, etc.



BTW - If you slather the splines with anti-sieze compound before reassembly, it makes further t-bar work a breeze.

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-TJ


TJ's Build Thread ---> http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11532

Thanks for the replys everyone. Unfortunitly the wife had an "incident" involving a Ford Focus on the highway (the Focus lost BTW), so the clutch will have to wait for now.