My First Clutch, Help!

I think I need to do my first clutch change! I noticed some judder when I last drove the vehicle and now a little pool of oil is on the floor and looks like it is coming from where the engine meets the gearbox.

I take it a kit is my best option with release bearing? I am worried about the oil leak and what this might involve.

I am also worried my vehicle might have had some later parts fitted and wondered if the engine number or gearbox would tell me which clutch I need incase a later box or engine has been fitted. (2 1/4 petrol).

Finally, do I need a special tool to align the clutch?

Thankyou for any help I think I may need it!

Try the introduction section first, it makes things go smoother

when you get the clutch out it will have a serial number or part number stamped into it somewhere just take the old fekker with you when you go for the new one to get a good comparrison if your unsure

also ive got one of these and its done the job on any and evry clutch ive ever done its never let me down in 4 years and ive never needed any other make of centring tool

Draper Clutch Mate Universal Clutch Aligning Tool : Tooled-Up.com

I assume that the oil leak is the rear main seal. This oil leak has probably contaminated the clutch and is causing judder. I wasn't brave enough to to mine - nor did I have the facilities to be fair and I paid for it to be done earlier this year. 1980> models have a different (probably more reliable) rer main seal design / assembly.

I had clutch judder and a pool of **** on the floor. Initially I thought it was the clutch but I've changed the gearbox and engine mounts and its good as gold now. Think oil might have been from the gearbox flapping around whenever I set off.

Thanks for your help and suggestions. The reason I wanted to try and get the right parts before stripping the vehicle down was because I only have a few days to do it and will probably need all the time i can get!

I have been looking into the rear crankcase oil seal and it looks a very involved job. I dont mind taking the sump off but If the crank has to be removed then its not a job for me. I am assuming it is engine oil and will check out the gearbox mounts as that sounds a much better option.

Would i be able to tell from the oil on the floor if it is gear oil or engine oil?

Thanks again!

youll be able to tell from the smell of the oil

if it smells sweet like sugary and black itll be engine oil
if it smells fishy itll be gearbox oil

Crank does not need to be removed but you do need to take off sump and every thing off the back of the engine and the main cap. If its only a small amount of oil live with it, contamination of clutch enough to affect function is unlikely the oil spins off the rear of flywheel hits housing and runs out the drain.On series 2 release bearing is virtualy unbreakable on series 3 an easy change.

Thanks again for all your help, it is engine oil that is leaking out from the vehicle.

I think that the leak is too great to ignore. I cleaned the floor under the vehicle and just over night without touching the vehicle I have a puddle about 4 inches across.

Can you confirm if the oil is coming from the little threaded hole in the front edge of the bell housing underneath? This would confirm it's the rear main seal.

If you're still driving her, check engine oil levels frequently as oil could be leaking heavily when running.

+1 there's a lot of places round there where oil can dribble from gearbox, transfer box, bell housing, rear of sump etc. Remember too that it might be blowing back and collecting on the cross-member and then dribbling off. Best work out which it is before attacking it.

One good hint, not sure if in haynes book or handy tips book I have: put down a cardboard box or similar on floor overnight and without moving place a vertical measure up to see where its coming from and try and trace the exact source.

Also, as has been said it can be worse when you are driving but also, strangely, sometimes only happens after you've stopped. My "normal car" ****es gearbox oil after a run but will go all day running without losing a drop, guess the seals expand when warm or something....I've got bored of topping it up and getting complaints from the neighbours. That gearbox must have done a good 30,000 miles with no more than a mug full of oil in it!