2002 Ford Focus Clutch Replacement Video (Part 2) - EricTheCarGuy

[@labradormcgraw2409]

This is a fantastic four-part video! I watched this over and over in preparation for my Focus' clutch job. I sailed through in five hours - even did the throw-out bearing! Thanks a million, Eric!

[@spelunkerd]

The way you do these, without the dealer-specific tools, is growing on me -- that's the way real guys do it in the wild, ha ha. Though I was a little worried, watching the transmission teetering off balance on a sliding, twisting block. Even that sends the important message to take care, a message that most of us will understand. Messages like that sink in a lot better than the 'perfect world' video. Thank you again for a great contribution -- best clutch video I've ever seen.

[@shmio]

Just wanted to stop by and say I purchased your video and enjoyed it thoroughly. I don't have a Ford Focus, and probably will never be swapping out a clutch on any make of vehicle. I watch your videos to improve my thought process when tackling automotive issues of my own. It's truly worth every cent to me. Just glad I could support you and your family over the holidays. Take care, and thanks.

[@kennethsaville7978]

I love these ETCG videos his videos are the only ones i can find where he literally goes step by step to show u how to do something. Take it from someone that knows absolutely nothing about cars, I've watch his video on changing a starter once and i was able to do it myself. So thanks Eric keep making your videos cuz you're the best.

[@fckurvtc]

Eric, I am glad to see these type of videos back and you have been very informative as usual. One thing you left out was to mention looking out for pilot bearings. I know this is a make/model specific video, but it is always a great idea to mention things like pilot bearings for the people watching your videos using it as a "reference" to know what to look for in similar jobs. Again, great video series and thank you for sharing you're knowledge to those of whom are fresh in the field!

[@shanejoseph1700]

Im using this video 12 years later great video but to the next guy that uses it do not underestimate what a tough job this is Eric makes it look easy i had many breaks to stop and feel sorry for myself and the short cuts i tried to take just caused me more trouble follow the videos step by step

[@sergiogarcia4032]

Exactly, I just finished doing this and I had to move the transmission damn near sideways to get it out

[@TheELiTeintruder]

i like his vids because he shows the hassle one can run into working on cars ,not just romove and replace ,,he shows exactly whats goin on ,keeping it real fucking love that ,cause thats how it is,,the thing i find about being a mechanic for 17 yrs is that you become good at solving all the problems you run into trying to get the job done,,not just good at doin the job thst the difference with experience,,,peace eric u tha mannn

[@epiphaknee]

"Back to the transmission..." Great camera work (excellent angles)! It makes it so much easier to understand what is happening.

[@35057]

Craftsman sells some of those pinch clamps. Set of three, cheap and they work pretty good. I use them regularly. And the seatbelt is a damn good idea! Gonna have to remember that one!

[@johnbrakingground]

Eric this couldn't have worked out better for me. This is the exact same year and car that I am doing a clutch on. Like you I have done a bunch of clutch jobs before but man its nice to watch the whole job in the comfort of your home before going outside in the cold and figuring all the tricks out yourself. Thanks

[@disherofpain]

My mechanic doing clutch and valve cover gasket for 500, including machining flywheel.. I came here to see if this is a diy possibility.. thanks Eric I know feel absolutely 100% comfortable paying this amount for warrantied, professional work on this

[@1busterchops]

Yeah I was thinking of doing my clutch on a c max but watching this about half way in was enough to put me off

[@MajorGamersUk]

Been in the motor trade for 27 years now, I have to say I like your style clear good video Nice work mate good job well done.

[@spawntohell]

A good idea on cars that changing the clutch is a actual pain(like this one) and not the fastest job to do is also to remove fly wheel and change the rear crankshaft seal while at it 10£ very well spent; as if clutch got worn is not much of life in that seal and will most likely start to leak way before the new clutch will worn down again. Great video Eric, as many of new small cars like this is a bit of work involved to do a clutch.

[@wessendorf15]

just switched the clutch out in my 97 ram v8 with a perfection clutch set man such a great kit. smooth andd fast shifting. perfection is the way to go!

[@ericthecarguy]

@Vanuatoo Yes and no, it's actually spreading the load over the entire length so not as much weight as you think is placed on the fenders but consider also that the strut towers near where the brace is placed holds up the front of the car.

[@mastergx1]

I did a clutch job on my dads focus and this helped a lot. The hardest part of the job by far for me was removing the through/pin bolts for the lower ball joints. I managed to get them out using the "screw the nut on flush and whack it with a 4 pounder till your hands fall off" method but not before completely destroying them. I had to go and buy new ones which, luckily, my local auto shop had in stock. I think it would have gone more smoothly if id had an air hammer, I think that's one of the major advantages to having a compressor as there really is no comparable counterpart to the air hammer in cordless electric. I tried smacking it out with an SDS on hammer only mode but no dice. An SDS is nowhere near as powerful.

[@bmxguy08]

pro tip when you pull the clutch line off (or fuel line etc...) I use those rubber vacuum plugs/caps and slip them over the line so it doesnt keep leaking everywhere.

[@GraniteBees]

Just bought this video. I don't drive a focus, nor do i even have a ford. I drive GM vehicles, but i like to support you, and your family. Plus, its still a great learning tool, especially the how to drive a stick video! haha Take care Eric

[@fastst1]

Eric, the pass side axles are easy, so you use a piece of 3/4 x 3/4 hardwood and slip it through the trans and tap out the left axle, and the block holds all the bits in alignment. as there is a small possibility of dropping the spider pin.

[@ericthecarguy]

@shmio Thank you so much for your purchase AND your endorsement I really appreciate it.

[@madeleinegillett5892]

We use gearbox jacks at dealer to support the engine from underneath with a rubber block. Support from underneath is fine as long as it's solid

[@TheELiTeintruder]

hey eric,im stripping cars for the last 17 years in ireland,ive done hundreds of focus,si find the easiest way to remove the drive shaft axle from the gearbox is to use a chisle .wedge it in the small gap where thw axle meets the gearbox and then whack it with a hammer ,pops out easy no damage ,,love ur vids to..keep dirty,,

[@luisn.7258]

Hell yeah man, I just saved hundreds by watching your videos... KZbin#1

[@burningoceans5066]

Sighhhh yeeesh i feel your pain. Took me 4 months to get an axel out of my integra. 4 months of my trying for hours at a time then quitting. Until my buff brother in law helped me get it out last Christmas. The other side took me a half hour to do all alone, luckily it didnt give me the same problem.. my bro only visits once a year lol

[@ericthecarguy]

@eleeter No, that would just pull the inner joint apart and I don't want to have to deal with that. Those cars that you did that on must not have had the axles in very well as I've never known that to happen.

[@ericthecarguy]

@Bobkejt As for flywheels that's not really true. I've actually done quite a few without any problems. Think about it, if the pressure plate bolts to it the distance between it and the flywheel would be constant no matter how much you removed from the flywheel.

[@daviscc65]

Thank you Eric. You've helped learn a ton in these videos.

[@ericthecarguy]

@thepopeis1 Yea auto repair doesn't fall in a 'script' and to be honest I like that about my videos too. Thanks for the comment.

[@wallenls1]

I like in a way that you dont have a lift. Shows what us everyday guys have to go thru

[@ericthecarguy]

@Michiganborn1969 It has rubber feet and the weight of the engine helps keep it in place. 3D sounds cool.

[@rickpreston3327]

A cable wrapped around the drivers side axle and attached to a slide hammer work great too

[@SuburbAllied]

when watching this episode, i got the though that i would really love to see Eric pick apart a whole car (that is no longer in use), piece by piece and explain it, as he did with the engine. It might be fun for Eric as well, as the car is getting to the junk yard anyway, so he could use some violence without guilty feelings... xD

[@ericthecarguy]

@logyscott It was boxed wrong, it had the correct number but the kit was not correct.

[@ericthecarguy]

@Lillie1986 I normally don't do that because I've seen axle seals get messed up doing it that way so I usually just remove both axles but thank you for your input.

[@kenman1717]

this video is great. it applies to so much more than ford. alot of chevs are very similar in many aspects. have to say i've never dropped out on the floor, well except for on a one ton flat deck, but always on a hoist for cars.

[@davyfreeman]

when taking the driveshafts out (axels as you call them, im english..) would it of not been easier to just undo the hub from the struts instead of taking off the ball joint, ive done it this way before and worked out easier, with just enough room.

[@ericthecarguy]

@spelunkerd Thank you very much for that great comment. I feel the same way, it is much better to show the 'trials and tribulations' over the 'perfect world' set up. Thanks again.

[@ericthecarguy]

@Jx1x3 I did actually, the full video is the timing belt.

[@opl500]

FWD cars look about as fun to work on as a punch to the groin

[@alansmilealot]

the mk3 golf I have looks really simple. lots of space in the engine bay.

[@bocarniang165]

opl500conn ford tourneo connect

[@bocarniang165]

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[@bocarniang165]

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[@seanwatts8342]

How about a V8 FWD - yes, they're real.

[@ericthecarguy]

@GraniteBees Thank you so much, have a great holiday.

[@ericthecarguy]

@Tautvydas960 Ha! Ever done one on a FWD Nissan? It's really a matter of perspective in my opinion, some are harder than others to be honest I don't think this one was all that bad. Thanks for the comment.

[@smatchimo55]

took me all day but just finished up dropping my first tranny on a 2.0 focus and got it alll back together with only one broken fender liner clip. woop woop. needed 2 jacks available and extra set of hands getting it back in though

[@Romegyptian]

Hey around 15:30 I noticed that a pair of tough nylon gunsmithing punches would come in really handy, they're tough enough to maybe knock that axle out but are nylon and won't mar or damage anything

[@Toltecatl]

Great vid Eric, THANKS!!! Question: The transmission fluid drain is mandatory or is it just to lighten up the job? Say for example you change your tranny fluid and 1 or 2 months later the clutch dies... Just re-use or bite the bullet and buy new fluid?

[@eleeter]

Love this video, very detailed. Am not impressed with the replacement throw out bearing assembly, looks cheap. On the one axle that didn't want to come out, can't you just pull out on it sharply/quickly? I've done this on several mid 90's Japanese cars maybe that does not apply here. Not sure you should be putting any lubricant on the throw out bearing, centrifugal force will spit the grease all over the friction material, no? Again great video!

[@ericthecarguy]

@TickyTack23 Very true, thanks for the comment.

[@ericthecarguy]

@foreighnimport91 Hard to say as ABS doesn't normally do things like that in my experience, I'd be checking the brakes themselves to see if everything is moving and operating as it should.

[@logyscott]

Another great vid. But how did you get the wrong clutch, did you not order for the correct car?

[@ericthecarguy]

@fordfan855 You are most certainly not alone.

[@lathiat]

Something I really like here is an old timing belt, slip over the end of the transmission and use an engine crane to help lower it down and up into place.

[@RichardNash100]

You need a balljoint separator tool - or fork and sledge hammer to get most lower tracking arm ball joints apart. That is best way not to damage the lower joint gaitor also. might not be recommended but I have seen people using 2 no 2" x 8" timber joist to use as the strut bar support - if you are only doing one job and dont want to buy a steel one - and it works ok 2 timbers bolted together that is UK class c24 timber though

[@Boodieman72]

Been watching your videos for a while now, seems like you need a transmission jack, probably would make your life easier.

[@ericthecarguy]

@Jeffmtbr No, I'm actually a pretty cheep guy, if I can get by with something I do for as long as I can.

[@danspratt2]

Your videos are awesome :) in regards to that metal clip which holds the clutch line on, i changed an engine on a Ford Fiesta i had and lost that clip during that process, i bent a piece of welding wire into the same shape, worked like a charm :)

[@tintanton6]

Approximately how long would it take you to replace a clutch without recording?

[@ericthecarguy]

@IIGrayfoxII I'll do my best, thanks for the comment.

[@soilmanted]

Generally it's recommended that you put molybdenum disulfide anti seize compound on the face of the throw out bearing, just the thinnest amount you can, and use multipurpose grease on the splines, not too much. Run the clutch disk in-out on the splines to spread the grease.

[@ericthecarguy]

@1974Alfa5Spd I think that one was from a Maco set that I had.

[@ericthecarguy]

@Acuransx135 Noted, thanks for the comment.

[@salpta]

When putting the moly-grease on those splines towards the end, are you just putting it on the first third of the spline length, or are you trying to apply it to the entire length?

[@ericthecarguy]

@beeterolds I can't remember honestly but I don't think the second kit was Federated.

[@ericthecarguy]

@nunorpedro Hello Portugal! Thanks for the comment.

[@andrewmylyf]

u can just normally put a jack underneath the pan but put some supporting wood block on it..that will work just fine

[@98eck]

Question about the flywheel. What if it appears to have hot spots? Is machining going to be effective or does the flywheel need replaced anyways?

[@ericthecarguy]

@Paulo00014 Actually it did pretty well, I might just do more of these in the future as it makes everyone happy.

[@glen2196]

I had that trouble. couldn't get N/S shaft out because of a circlip on the inside of the shaft. took out O/S which has no circlip shaft then hammered the N/S Shaft out through the diff from the O/S with a long bar and hammer. Being left hand drive your N/S and O/S are round the other way!

[@ericthecarguy]

@DJDevon3 Parts 3 and 4 are going to be posted in the coming weeks, your choice really.

[@Paulo00014]

thanks Eric. So, this way made some profit or not really?

[@Nutter1138]

So, what about the side differential gears and their alignment? I'm going to be doing this job and the manual puts the fear of God into you that a special tool must be inserted into the transmission where the axles locate in order to prevent misalignment of the side gears - however that may actually occur I'm not sure?

[@ericthecarguy]

@CHIBA280CRV I'd rather get a lift and get a stand up type. Thanks for pointing that out though.

[@FLIP203CT]

with all the $ u make i wud get a lift lol but i watched a few of ur videos n i like how u work im a tech myself and with a lift theres tricks that could save u time but i respect your hustle

[@Ryan96se]

not sure if it was mentioned or not but it is a good idea to replace the pilot bearing on the flywheel side

[@conwayjames1]

Hi Eric. I have to say your videos on youtube are great, the only difference is I have a ford Puma which is sonething like the Ford Focus and there was never a workshop manual made for the Puma. Still Good videos on the Focus. James.

[@kev187mofo]

the mk4 fiesta should be the exact same as the puma, basically the same car, different body

[@Condr324]

Eric: you rock, and so does your channel!

[@ericthecarguy]

@Mr44centz It's all in how YOU feel about it.

[@Vanuatoo]

Eric, fenders are so strong that they can support engine?

[@ericthecarguy]

@pfleeger2010 Yes I have, I'm secretly doing it with ETCG just don't tell anyone.

[@paul16731]

hey eric napa has a nice slide hammer set comes with a bunch of stuff cheap to under 100.00 i have had in service for more then a year now still works just as good as the day i got it check em out

[@Daddychill945]

How much miles did the clutch last

[@midlantic1]

Your a good Dude Eric, thanks for the video as well as all the help you give to us your fans!

[@KellyHawkins]

If I ever get a Focus, I'm getting an automatic. I had no idea what was involved in changing the clutch. Is it this nasty in most front wheel drives?

[@ericthecarguy]

@martian953 Happy Holidays' yourself, thanks for the comment.

[@IIGrayfoxII]

@Mr44centz It depends. If you just do city driving an auto may be better with the constant stop starts. Manual is good for those who enjoy driving and don't care about constant shifting in the city,

[@Acuransx135]

just a friendly piece of advice. Advance Auto has a loaner slide hammer you can rent so you don't have to buy one.

[@ericthecarguy]

@fckurvtc I thought I mentioned it somewhere it might be in part 3 but thanks for pointing that out.

[@jmenon10k]

you could have gotten the other axle out easy once the other one came out. Get a long bar and you can access it carefully through the gear box. As long as your sure you have it on the end of the other axle a light tap would have knocked it out

[@TickyTack23]

Note to anyone removing an automatic transmission, obviously not performing a clutch replacement, They are a lot heavier than manual transmissions, and you will have a struggle getting it to drop from the car safely.

[@beeterolds]

Awww man you got that clutch at Federated! I used to work for them.. Is this a Perfection Clutch kit?

[@randomidiot8142]

I've used those little plastic finger pads on die grinders and had them remove material, despite the insistence of my boss saying plastic can't remove metal.. as sparks fly while he's using it..

[@paulleggett9735]

I know I'm late to the party on this one, but is it worth doing rear crank seal whilest we are here and how long would that take do you think?

[@Thebowzer221]

Eric, U have a engine puller in the back corner of ur shop. Y not use it to support engine n then pull transmission?

[@innocentoctave]

The plastic-fingered abrasive brush ETCG uses to clean up the flywheel surface appears to be 3M's Scotch-Brite Roloc Bristle Disc.

[@Acuransx135]

@EricTheCarGuy You're welcome. Do you have any info on replacing the purge valve on an 01 Hyundai Accent GL?

[@kurama10271]

Eric i need a word from the wise lol if you aren't supposed to use a screwdriver what should you use?

[@angela-vo8eo]

How long does it take to do all work in completion of putting in a new clutch

[@1SirCarlton]

assuming you were sent the clutch kit for the DOHC 2.0 instead of the SPI 2.0 like you have?

[@RandallFlaggNY]

@EricTheCarGuy I had that last year with a brake hose for my mom's '89 Sable.

[@ericthecarguy]

@RandallFlaggNY I love my Elvis clock, I love the Ramones too. If I keep up with my 'clock' collection it will start to look like the opening scene from Back To The Future.

[@davide30541]

i've seen the 2 parts, 1 hour aprox of video, but the whole job, took like double that right?