installing clutch kit on '91 GMC Sonoma

AC clutch? Drivetrain clutch? Posi-traction clutches?

Give us a clue...

I assume your referring to the transmission. Look at

for a factory service manual. That being said, you may not want to attempt the job if your unfamiliar with major component removal. Additionally, it's a lot of work if you doing have a lift and transmission jack.

Regards.

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Sorry, didn't think of the various possibilities before I posted. OEM drivetrain clutch, engine is 2.8L V6.

Thanks

Mike Patterson Please remove the spamtrap to email me.

Thanks for the link.

While I -am- unfamiliar, this is a learning project on a spare vehicle, and I do have ramps, jackstands, and a floor jack.

If it turns out I'm in over my head, I can always take it to my local mechanic.

Thanks

Mike Patterson Please remove the spamtrap to email me.

You might be ok if its a project car. You'll need the factory service manual, engine support, transmission jack, a good tool set, extensions, and if you can swing it a 3/8" air ratchet & 1/2" air impact sometimes come in handy. I don't think my body could handle doing it without a lift, but your milage may vary. I had a roommate in college do the clutch on his 95 Sonoma in his front yard. He reported it was not an enjoyable experience. I believe it took him 2 full days.

It's not what I'd consider a difficult job, but it's made much easier if you have a well stocked toolbox, a 2 post lift, a relatively tall transmission jack, and a couple of air tools.

Recommendation: Start with the manual.

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While I won't argue that it's a *VERY* good idea to have the FSM, just on general principles, I can't see any crying need for it when doing a clutch swap. Then again, a Sonoma is a newer ride than mine, and probably has more gizmos and gadgets to get in the way.

AKA A couple of concrete blocks and two-by-fours for me...

Handy? Yes. Neccesary? Unless you're swapping a Semi's clutch, hardly. (not to mention the darn things are a single-purpose item, with a pretty major price tag. If you simply *MUST* have one, find someplace and rent it.)

Indubitably...

Yep, plenty true.

I've gotten to the point where a clutch job on my ride is about a 3-4 hour, one-man task - That's just pulling it up under the roof of the hay-shed and going at it with hand tools and a floor-jack. It helps that it's (A) RWD, and (B) The tranny is light enough I can almost toss it around like a block of styrofoam. (About 80 pounds, give or take a couple - toting it from shed to shop is a cake-walk to someone accustomed to tossing hundred pound bales of hay and bags of grain.)

The very first time, when I didn't have a clue what bolts needed to be turned (and hadn't yet figured out that turning one of them requires 4 extra joints between elbow and wrist so that you can *GET TO IT*, let alone *TURN* it) and similar, I managed to puzzle it out in a little more than a day and a half. Second time, when I suspected clutch problems (but found that none existed... turned out to be a rear brake dragging, despite sounding and feeling like it was coming from the front of the tranny. Since I was in there anyway, and had everything needed, I went ahead and gave it a new clutch, needed or not), took about 8 hours, total, spread across three days of other projects at higher priority. Third time (we're doing an engine swap, so lets do the clutch while we've got things open) doesn't really count. The last time (The grenaded clutch episode about a month after doing the engine swap) took me a bit less than 4 hours.

Practice DOES make perfect, I guess :)

I have a decent toolbox, and don't mind buying what I need (always take any excuse to buy new tools!).

I was planning to do the work with the truck up on ramps or jackstands, and using a floor jack to drop/lift things as necessary.

I have a compressor but no air tools other than a spray gun and a nail gun. Darn, guess I'll have to buy an air wrench.

Bidding on a manual on ebay now.

Talked to my mechanic today, he offered to give me advice if I need it. (We get along pretty well.)

Mike Patterson Please remove the spamtrap to email me.

Sounds like your well on your way.

Good luck.

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The single thing I haven't seen mentoned, yet I consider to be an absolute "MUST HAVE" is an old transmission input shaft OR a clutch disk alignment tool.

While they are included in *some* clutch packs or kits, that is not a universal truth.

You will find it nearly impossible to re-install the transmission without having the disk properly aligned with the pilot bearing.

You can buy a cheapie wooden one at many of the "retail" automotive stores.

Bob Paulin - R.A.C.E. Racing Chassis Analysis Services

Thanks, I'll make sure to get one.

Mike Patterson Please remove the spamtrap to email me.

Its not a horrible project. Get a factory service manual off e-bay if you possibly can. Also replace the rear freeze plug(s) while you have the tranny out. These loved to leak on that engine.

Steve B.

"Bob Paulin" wrote

I would agree for the "novice". I can tell you though, that I haven't used an aligning tool for 20 years now. Once you learn how to center the clutch by eye....you don't bother with the tool. I do collect all the plastic ones that come in the clutch kits. I have a box of them under the bench.

Ian