change clutch?

i have a 1.5 dci, and i don't know if they're similar mechanically, but i had to drop my sub-frame to change my clutch. take off the front bumper to gain access to the front bolts of the sub-frame. undo the bolts that hold the steering rack to the sub-frame and tie it up to something so that it is supported when you drop the frame. undo any pipe-work bolted onto the sub-frame. can be tough to knock out the ball-joints on the axle(might as well change them as the frame is off, as it is so easy with the frame off - the bolts for the ball-joints must be done up very, very tightly). after draining the gearbox take out the n/s hub and drive-shaft. i had to take out the battery compartment to gain access to the top of the gearbox/clutch-housing, also had to remove a bit of pipe-work from the intercooler to be able to see all the bolts on the gearbox/clutch-housing. i set up a make-shift counter-balance to take most of the weight of the gearbox so that i could lower it myself. proud of myself for that! have labeled containers for all the bolts you will have accrued, so that you know where they go!
it's a long job.

robin.
March 2009