Clutch Assembly: Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2001 Mazda Tribute, 2001 Mazda Protege, and 2001 Mazda 626. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Disconnect battery cables. Remove battery and tray. Mark and unplug harness connectors as necessary. Remove air cleaner hose, resonance chamber, and air cleaner. Raise and support vehicle.
- Remove lower engine splash and side shields. Remove front wheels. Remove and set aside clutch release cylinder, leaving hydraulic line attached. Disconnect speedometer connector. Remove ground wire from transaxle. Remove starter. Disconnect body electrical ground wire. Remove upper transaxle-to-engine bolts.
- Install Engine Support Bar (49-G017-5AO) on Protege and 626, and Engine Support Bar (49-E017-5AO) on Tribute. See Fig 2. Drain transaxle fluid into proper container. Remove front stabilizer bar. Separate tie rod ends from knuckles. Remove lower ball joint pinch bolts. Pry downward on lower control arms to separate lower ball joints from spindles.
- Disconnect exhaust pipe from manifold. Remove axle shafts. See appropriate FWD AXLE SHAFTS. Remove engine and transaxle crossmember. Remove shift control rod-to-transaxle bolt and nut, and slide control rod aside.
- Remove shift extension bar mounting bracket bolt, and slide extension bar from bracket. Lower transaxle with engine support bar. Position and secure transmission jack under transaxle. Separate engine mounts. Remove transaxle housing bolts. Pull transaxle away from engine. Install clutch aligner to retain clutch during removal.
- If reusing pressure plate, mark pressure plate and flywheel for installation reference. Remove pressure plate retaining bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern. If removing flywheel for resurfacing, remove and install bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern. See Fig 3.