Clutch replacement

[thejum57]

My 1986 Comanche needs a new pressure plate. If I do any work it will be the whole deal...clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing. It's a 2wd 2.5. Are there any pics of any bolts on the top of the transmission??? And can these be accessed from the engine compartment...under the hood? Any pics would be appreciated. I will have to do this on ramps or jacks. Any help would be Awesome! 

Thank you!

 

Jim

[eaglescout526]

After doing such 5 too many times, I have removed the top bolts both ways. The easiest for me is to undo the top two from the engine bay before removing the trans cross member. They are pretty accessible with either a wrench of any kind of a short socket ratchet.

[mjeff87]

On a 2.5, yes you can get to them from the top.  Take them out first, then the rest of the bellhousing bolts.  When reinstalling, replace them with regular hex head bolts/washers.

[70barracuda]

 I just did a clutch and trans replacement on my 2.5. Bolts are easiest from the engine bay I found. Overall was not bad. Also, I did the bread trick for the pilot bearing and worked perfectly. 

[JustEmptyEveryPocket]

8 hours ago, 70barracuda said:

bread trick for the pilot bearing

This all the way. Don't even bother with getting a puller tool. And instead of getting a bolt that is the correct diameter, I used a socket. Put a 6" extension BACKWARDS on the socket (meaning the extension is stuck into the open socket where you usually have it on a bolt head) and use that to hammer the pilot bearing out. Bread was so much easier than grease to clean up afterwards and you don't need a perfect fit to get enough hydraulic pressure.

[fiatslug87]

Wet toilet paper also works well.

[JMO413]

I used the bread trick and it worked great.

[eaglescout526]

I'm the only one who did the pilot bearing the challenging way and removed the whole damn fly wheel like a dingus. Oh well. Course that whole replacing the pilot bearing led to the pressure plate not having any room to engage.