Esprit V8 clutch replacement
Discussion
All, I finally replaced the replaced the clutch in the Esprit this weekend. The job turned out to be easier than expected. I removed the entire exhaust system and slid the gearbox down and out the rear by gradually raising the lift as I slide the gearbox down to a thin piece of plywood as a skid.
Overall, a huge sucess and for the first time ever the car shifts wonderfully (even with badly worn synchros). It no longer sticks in to gear, getting into reverse is just normal (go into reverse) where before took multiple tries including fully going into 3rd to try and get everything stopped in the box.
The problem was mainly a badly rusted spline on the first clutch disc and less rusted spline on the second clutch disc. And of course the spline on gearbox input shaft was bad.
Engine/Clutch:
Gearbox Front:
Old Clutch:
New clutch:
Regards, KM
2000 V8
>>> Edited by kmaier on Wednesday 23 February 17:17
>>> Edited by kmaier on Monday 14th March 23:54
Overall, a huge sucess and for the first time ever the car shifts wonderfully (even with badly worn synchros). It no longer sticks in to gear, getting into reverse is just normal (go into reverse) where before took multiple tries including fully going into 3rd to try and get everything stopped in the box.
The problem was mainly a badly rusted spline on the first clutch disc and less rusted spline on the second clutch disc. And of course the spline on gearbox input shaft was bad.
Engine/Clutch:
Gearbox Front:
Old Clutch:
New clutch:
Regards, KM
2000 V8
>>> Edited by kmaier on Wednesday 23 February 17:17
>>> Edited by kmaier on Monday 14th March 23:54
Thanks Ernest, if only webshots was consistent, last night all four picture links worked, now only one does. Hopefully the following link will get to all of the pics.
http://community.webshots.com/slideshow?ID=278765149&key=AZudIF
Regards, KM
2000 V8
http://community.webshots.com/slideshow?ID=278765149&key=AZudIF
Regards, KM
2000 V8
I would be interested in exactly how you took the box out, as I thought could only come out the top! Well that seems to be the way everyone else has done it! The 4 cylinder must be the same set up as it is the same gearbox.
Nice job though.
You don't have any pictures of it comming out do you?
Phil 98gt3
Nice job though.
You don't have any pictures of it comming out do you?
Phil 98gt3
98GT3 said:
The 4 cylinder must be the same set up as it is the same gearbox.
Phil 98gt3
Phil,
Yes the gearbox is the same but the chassis hoop under it is different (a little wider)on the V8. After having taken mine out a couple of times, I don't think it would go out the bottom on a 4 cylinder but I haven't tried it that way either.
Cheers,
Jim
95 S4s
Thanks for the accolades, but replacing a clutch is just that, nothing more. In most cases I would consider the Esprit easier to replace the clutch on than most normal cars either FWD or RWD in standard layouts (and I've done these before too).
As Jim pointed out, the rear frame on the 4-cylinder version is different and may prevent removal of the gearbox with the method I used. As I did not have a hoist available and I am working solo here, I managed accordingly.
I'm still a bit miffed at Lotus and the dealer for not properly diagnosing the gearbox failure back at 18K miles (even when I specifically told them to check the clutch) and have sent a note to Lotuscars UK with a link to the pictures... have not heard anything yet and to be blunt don't expect to as the car is no longer in warranty.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
As Jim pointed out, the rear frame on the 4-cylinder version is different and may prevent removal of the gearbox with the method I used. As I did not have a hoist available and I am working solo here, I managed accordingly.
I'm still a bit miffed at Lotus and the dealer for not properly diagnosing the gearbox failure back at 18K miles (even when I specifically told them to check the clutch) and have sent a note to Lotuscars UK with a link to the pictures... have not heard anything yet and to be blunt don't expect to as the car is no longer in warranty.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
ErnestM said:
You always make it look so easy...
...I wonder if the wife would mind moving to West Palm so I could avail myself of a knowledgable Lotus guru...
ErnestM
Hi Ernie,
No need for you and Tammy to move. You have your own local guru with his own shop. His name is Jim Knowles and he now has PLENTY of experience removing gearboxes in Esprits.
ErnestM said:
You always make it look so easy...
...
ErnestM
Hi Ernie,
No need for you and Tammy to move. You have your own local guru with his own shop. His name is Jim Knowles and he now has PLENTY of experience removing gearboxes in Esprits.
karlfranz said:
You always make it look so easy...
...
ErnestM
Hi Ernie,
No need for you and Tammy to move. You have your own local guru with his own shop. His name is Jim Knowles and he now has PLENTY of experience removing gearboxes in Esprits.
...yes, but West Palm also has Worth Avenue so that would keep Tammy happy as well. I wonder if the Breakers does "extended stay"
ErnestM
karlfranz said:
Hi Ernie,
No need for you and Tammy to move. You have your own local guru with his own shop. His name is Jim Knowles and he now has PLENTY of experience removing gearboxes in Esprits.
Very true, Jim is excellent and his Esprit shows it. He tends to drive a bit fast however
.. what's up with that? Regards, KM
2000 V8
jk1 said:
Very true, Jim is excellent and his Esprit shows it. He tends to drive a bit fast however
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Man this is definitely a case of pot/kettle/black if I ever saw one..........
Yes, I'm laughing here too...
Exactly how long did it take us to get from the Homestead to Boynton again?? Regards, KM
2000 V8
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