clutch replacement help

hi all, td4 manual 2004 facelift, after using the search function i couldnt get any answers. im about to replace the clutch, flywheel and slave cylinder. can anyone tell me does the ird have to be split from the gearbox, if so does the subframe bar that supports the wishbones have to come off. had a quick look and thought i might get away with splitting the ird (but leaving in the area) from the gearbox if i can move the gearbox across enough to get my spanners into the clutch. if it all has to come out does the exhaust downpipe need removing as well.
Another question is there a gasket that needs to be renewed if you split the ird from gearbox as its weaping out from that joint or will it be leaking from the ird seal where the drive shaft enters the ird.
Thanks for any help. trying to keep the cost down as we intend to sell the car soon. thanks ben

When I did mine I pretty much followed the Rave CD.

From memory (did mine a couple of years ago) I only just had enough room with the IRD and subframe removed so I doubt there will be enough if you leave it in place, not that i'm saying it's impossible.

It's a swine of a job where you need to move the whole engine to gain enough access to remove the bell housing. I also couldn't remove the gear linkage which made the job a bit more fun!!

Good luck, and like I said take a look at the Rave CD.

There's lots of folks on here who will no doubt be able to give you more tips than I can.

Disconnect the hyraulics at the quickrelease(lol?) connector.

Drop the centre out the subframe , can leave the wishbones on. IRD out , its only like a few bolts on o/s and 4 holding it into the gearbox. Then there is a 15mm bolt behind that, that needs removing. Rest is the standard bellhousing and starter bolts removal.

Support the engine as your going to have to drop it to its max travel to get the gearbox out with the selector mechanism on the top, still on. Else you need to remove that via removing the fiddly rollpin, which is a pita, but makes the easier to get the box out.

thanks for the advise, regretfully i dont have a rave and i intend to have it done asap so cant really wait for one to arrive, ive done normal cars before so im hoping it should be straightforwardish. is there any secret bolts i need to search for, i heard theres an outward one on the bell housing thats not normally known of.

Do a search for Rave CD, it can be had online and downloaded for free. I'd post a link but not sure what the rules are here.