Repair work on a Ford Escort????

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Repair work on a Ford Escort????

Posted: 3/13/2006 9:01:01 AM EDT

I own a '94 escort with about 176k and she needs some work

With new 2001 1.9 liter engine installed a few years ago all i need to do is replace some worn out components................clutch[yup it's a manual]..........and someday maybe the tranny.

so my question is, is the clutch replacement job something i fix on my own? what about the transmission? I am on a budget still being in highschool and every dime counts.........

I refuse to take it to a dealer cuz every time my sister[the former owner of the car] took it there for a "$15" oil change they always ended up doing over $100's worth of extra repair..

Just look'n for some advise.............Thanks...........

SB

Posted: 3/13/2006 9:49:08 AM EDT

[#1]

Clutch replacement is not really diffucult, just time consuming. If the transmission needs replaced, I would do it at the same time as the clutch, since you have to partially remove the tranny anyway. If you have decent mechanical knowledge and the right tools, a clutch and tranny replacement would probably take you and a good buddy a Saturday to do. When you do the clutch make sure you have the flywheel machined, or replace it, otherwise your new clutch will wind up as scrap metal very quickly. If you opt to machine it, make sure you know how much material is removed because you may need to shim it for proper clearance. To buy a salvage yard tranny, a new clutch and having the flywheel machined would probably be in the neighborhood of $300-500 depending on what extras you need, i.e. fluids etc. One other thing you might consider is whether the clutch master and slave cylinder are working properly also, as these two components not working properly will cause a clutch to fail also. Hope this helps.

Posted: 3/13/2006 11:13:29 AM EDT

[#2]

Clutch isnt a job to be taken lightly. Ive had more than a few cars towed in to the shop from people attempting to put a clutch in themself.

I would make sure you have someone ON HAND whose done at least one one a frontwheel drive car in the past.

Why do you say it needs trans work ?

Posted: 3/13/2006 12:13:24 PM EDT

[#3]

well, to answer your ?'s I have little "mechanical" knowledge..........I'm not stupid though........on the other hand that comment might have proved that I am

...................Really what I need to know is this something I am capable of doing?

Probly wont do this cuz the car isn't worth $500.............heck that's what I paid for it a year or two ago..................

The reason I think the clutch needs to be replaced is it seems to slip when I'm excelerating............the tranny................cuz the shifter feels very loose........and the slots for the gears are pretty sloppy............I've driven a couple other manuals in the last couple years and none of the were any where near as sloppy as mine.

Just looking for some wisdom from the arfcom repair crew before i get in over my head................

Thanks again guys.........

SB

Posted: 3/13/2006 3:01:47 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
well, to answer your ?'s I have little "mechanical" knowledge..........I'm not stupid though........on the other hand that comment might have proved that I am...................Really what I need to know is this something I am capable of doing?

Probly wont do this cuz the car isn't worth $500.............heck that's what I paid for it a year or two ago..................
Its not what you paid for it. Its what will it cost you to repair or replace the car. Ive poured hundreds into a 500.00 car because it would have costed me thousands to replace it.

The reason I think the clutch needs to be replaced is it seems to slip when I'm excelerating............the tranny................ Sounds right, everytime it slips it is hurting the flywheel unless its slipping because its oil soaked. Is it leaking oil ??????
cuz the shifter feels very loose........and the slots for the gears are pretty sloppy...........Sound like it could be the bushing or linkage to the shifter. Cheaper and easier than the trans
.I've driven a couple other manuals in the last couple years and none of the were any where near as sloppy as mine.

Just looking for some wisdom from the arfcom repair crew before i get in over my head................
If you have done any of the following rebuilt axle shafts,head gaskets,rebuilt a 4 barrel,timing chain replacement Id say you should be able to do a clutch. Since I cant tell what you can or cant do I fear the worst.

Thanks again guys.........

SB

Do you have the manual for the car ?

Posted: 3/13/2006 3:55:37 PM EDT

[#5]

An owners manual, yes....................a rebuild manaul that explains this kinda stuff no...............

Posted: 3/13/2006 4:05:21 PM EDT

[#6]

o yea it is not leaking oil.............it also seems to vibrate alot.................almost like it is idling alittle to low is there some way to get to idle faster or does it give me better mileage so i should enjoy it............??

Posted: 3/14/2006 6:04:40 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
o yea it is not leaking oil.............it also seems to vibrate alot.................almost like it is idling alittle to low is there some way to get to idle faster or does it give me better mileage so i should enjoy it............??

Since its not an oil soaked clutch and your you and having fun I would bet you are correct the clutch is burned up.
The more it slips the more damage you are doing to the flywheel. If its been slipping for awhile plan on replacing the flywheel too.

Idle could be anything from needs a tune up to a bad injector even a leaking vacum line would cause a poor idle.

Posted: 3/14/2006 6:44:17 AM EDT

[#8]

you guys are great................I'm finally getting some answers to some of the ?'s i've been wondering about for quite awhile..................haven't decided for sure what i'm gonna do but atleast now i have an idea what i'm getting into............

Posted: 3/14/2006 5:41:40 PM EDT

[#9]

For the slop in the shifter it is likely worn shifter bushings. I have dealt with a few mid ninties Escorts and haven't had to change forks in any of them. The shift forks are what would be worn inside the tranny to cause a sloppy shifter. That and forks are made of hardened steel, the shifter bushings are made of rubber.

Changing the clutch in a FWD is not that hard in my mind, but I have done it many times (I have built a few FWD trannies as a matter of fact). If you decide to do it, take your time and read the manual first, understand each and every step before you start work. A Haynes or Chilton manual are fine for a clutch, if you don't have one of these get one and read up on the procedure. Also plan for the car to be out of commision for several days, it should only take you a few hours, but you will need to send the flywheel out to be ground, and will probably find a half dozen things while you are doing it.

Also I would highly recomend you change the rear main oil seal while you have the tranny off, even if it isn't leaking.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Repair work on a Ford Escort????

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