Hi all, just after some advice. The clutch on my 380 has recently started to slip and needs changing. I am thinking of having a go at it myself. I have changed clutches in other cars in the past and have some experience. I am just trying to get a little motivated..

Has anyone any experience with changing these that they would like to share?

My general questions are:

Would they recommend doing it oneself? How difficult is it?

What things to look out for in doing it?

What are the basic steps? I have the 380 manual but it doesn't go to that detail.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance .

Check the internet for videos on how to do the clutch on a front wheel drive car. That will give you some idea of the equipment needed and the problems you may encounter.

Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhPhfnqXhjM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF4hO-G3YxA

pull wheels off..pull driveshafts out...pull transmission out of car...wrestle with the modern thrust bearing setup..

You have a hoist to use for the day? Full toolkit and someone to help?

Aweful job....well worth paying someone else top do it.

In the end i dropped the entire front crossmember, lifted the car up and worked on it at ground level.

aweful design aweful gearbox...just aweful.

aweful design aweful gearbox...just aweful.

Say, aren't you the bloke with about a dozen of these vehicles? lol

I have to admit though, a rear wheel drive clutch swap is a walk in the park in comparison.

Thanks all for the feedback.

Basically I have reasonable tools, including axle stands and car jack...unfortunately no access to a hoist. I can get help as required but I have plenty of time...can get access to a spare car.

What makes it so awful? Is it where things are located and difficulty to get to? How different is it to any other front wheel drive car? I guess one has to do one to find out. The videos don't look too bad.

Also, any idea on what one could expect to pay to do the job?

I've done the clutch job on a TS using just a engine hoist to hold the gearbox suspended in mid air once pulled away from the engine while I changed the clutch.
Biggest nuisance is clearance for various things.
Unhooking the thrust bearing before separating the gearbox from the engine can be a problem according to some, but I haven't done a third gen pull type clutch, so I'm just going by what I've read on this forum.

Price to get it done? Ring around and ask for a rough quote. If you go for an independent, ask if they have done one of these before. Less chance of it going wrong if they have previous experience.
If you are anywhere near Mal ask him.

Say, aren't you the bloke with about a dozen of these vehicles? lol

I have to admit though, a rear wheel drive clutch swap is a walk in the park in comparison.

I sold the only manual one I had, after replacing the clutch........(and putting it back together after written off, supercharging it etc)

I will never ever buy a manual 380 again...they are rubbish.

Just for you Madmax...the whole process with pics...
http://www.380db.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1560&posts=6&start=1

Thanks for the pictures, Zilo.

I'd be paying someone to do that job, I think! lol

Thanks for that, most definitely looks like worth getting someone else to do. cheers.

Thanks for the pictures, Zilo.

I'd be paying someone to do that job, I think! lol

Yeah, bugger that. I've done Cortinas, Toranas, Geminis, Falcons, Dunnydoors....we all have. But if it came to doing anything with a transverse motor i'd be booking it in - especially after looking at that!!