2002 Ford Focus Clutch Replacement Video (Part 1) - EricTheCarGuy

[@Skrattmannen91]

Watching this today 9 years later and just have to comment and mention that your videos are great ! // Greetings from Sweden

[@knunne1]

I don't own a Ford Focus but I bought the video, partly because I wasn't willing to wait for the remaining episodes, partly because I enjoy watching how a professional approaches & works thru issues that would probably take me hours to figure out and partly because it cost me less than my lunch today. Thanks for the video its thorough and detailed the only thing missing (from my experience on big jobs) is the swearing!

[@a1b2c3d4anditsme7sfr]

Hi Eric, I'm leaving this post to say THANK YOU. I am an IT. guy in South Africa and watching your videos I managed to replace my own manual clutch kit and all seals except spigot seal. Thanks a million

[@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!

[@Montanamomma406]

Labrador McGraw what size is the clutch? 8 or 9 in have to replace mine and don't want to buy the wrong one

[@seanwatts8342]

*HEY, Labrador* did you have to drop the sub frame? (big black metal piece under the engine)

[@MarissaNorton]

​@@seanwatts8342no, but it probably won't hurt the Job

[@TheGoodDevil7]

God bless you Eric. I think it's amazing that you make videos to help others and don't expect anything in return. Most of the things you make videos about could take a lot of time and money to learn and I know we have to take it with a grain of salt because not all cars are the same, but it's helpful info. Let's just hope people don't wreck their cars trying to do this though.

[@Mickey_Bauer]

Man i'm watching this video at midnight and i don't even own a ford nor i need to replace the clutch. It's just freaking entertaining. Anyone else finds this entertaining? He's just cool and easy to listen to.

[@coopersutton1]

I envy your position

[@TheShawn006]

When I took my trans out, I used an instructional video, but it was more like "take this out"... "now take this out"... "and now take that out". Not very fun… and when I got lost there was no way for me to reconnect. You on the other have provided all kinds of little thought processes that might help if the viewer gets lost or stuck. Bravo and keep up the good work!!!

[@GammaCruxis]

I agree about the safety glasses. Nothing ruins your day faster than having wads of crud rain down into your eyes while working underneath there. Especially as you're breaking stuff loose. Great vid. Keep it up!

[@handyman1224]

Excellent video and has definitely convinced me to just PAY someone to change my clutch out. thanks for a precise video

[@redolentofmark]

You can’t pay someone to learn you something. This isn't the Matrix

[@redolentofmark]

It's a learn by doing

[@wellsnolan2599]

I know it's pretty randomly asking but do anybody know a good place to stream new series online?

[@timothygeiger8271]

@@redolentofmark his point was so he didn't have to deal with the hassle & work of doing it idiot! A shop will most likely have the correct tools, not to mention better facilities than he would probably have. Its a no brainer for most people, but some "geniuses" can't comprehend that.

[@michh8901]

I know this is an old upload, but thanks for the great videos! I just purchased the full length video because you did such a great job! About to attempt this tomorrow

[@videowatcher83]

Still riding a Focus and my clutch is now starting making problems. Thx for posting this video, it helps me to think about try to fix it by myself or sell the car.

[@TheShawn006]

It makes the viewer feel like they are right alongside with you, which is what an instructional video is all about.

[@vilden12]

Thank you for this video! By accident a saw this video and a sew what kind of transmission the car had. i have the same, lid and wire. I couldnt find the tap for the transmission fluid to come out. Now i know and its done, thanks Eric, you saved my day!!

[@Wannaplayagame87]

just wanna say thank you EricTheCarGuy youve made my life at college so much easier and understandable

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Shop did mine in ONE DAY, rear main, flywheel, clutch, hydraulic release, all of it. I supplied parts, $950 total.

[@TheShawn006]

Hey Eric, great job with the video… I can't wait to see the rest. This is exactly how I wanted to shoot my 4T65E-HD trans removal video, unfortunately I didn’t have enough time or the best location (outside). I like how you are honest, open minded, and not afraid to speak your mind. I like the way you connect with the viewer saying things like "I Think" or "I have my doubts" or just what's going on in your head.

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

This is brilliant. This is totally unique, it is not about what to remove it is about how to solve the problems that arise. I like the fact that you do not have a lift because I do not have one.. Off to have a look at your website.

[@sschertell]

very instructive, very entertaining, i really enjoy there parts where something doesnt quite go as planned when you hit a snag, because that is just more insight on things that can happen and how to go about resolving those issues as well as the project at hand, thank you for your videos and look forward to seeing the rest. THANKS ERIC!

[@LACounty8l8]

true, when I have nothing to do, I come and see Eric's videos, he's just a good honest mechanic.

[@KillerZero259]

eric, you're too generous!! and yes, i still bought the full length version!!! supporting you is a great cause!!

[@aurasystems]

Still watching your videos Eric.

[@justinak3051]

Jack up ball joint, shove 10mm in between the B.J. and spindle then lower jack... also works on Subaru's.

[@trevorsilvers9247]

I have a 2005 Focus Zx4 ST and although the fit between the subframe/control arm location to the transmission is crazy tight, we got it done. Had some bolts that were problems and needed to be cut out, while some we got away with a stripped nut tool. Layout was similar, but the approach was the same. Spent closer to 15 hours or so due to trips to the store, missing sockets, and those problem areas. Changed out the CV joint/oil seals, (one was leaking bad), changed out a CV joint grease boot that was split open, of course had to install new single mass flywheel in the process. Got a new Stage 1 clutch in and boy does it grab nice!!! Be careful not to use anything over a 1/4” ratchet on the throw out bearing bolts to not crack the aluminum, be oh so careful. Got the clutch for $260 with the flywheel and bearing. Mechanics wanted $900-1400 just for the clutch, no flywheel or joints etc. They wanted another $250 for the flywheel and everything extra. So as long as I didn’t spend 2 weeks on the project I saved a lot of cash! Was it a pain at times? Yes. Was it worth it in the end? DEFINITELY YES! You could get a cheaper clutch kit as well, as low as $150 or so.

[@ericthecarguy]

@MrJKCampione Thank you! I'm glad to hear the download time was in that range and that you liked the video, makes my day really.

[@mrman17]

The last time I did one of these, the lower balljoint pinch bolt was seized in, the driveshaft (axle) was seized in the hub, and the driveshaft would not come out of the gearbox, so I had to drop the box down with the hub, driveshaft and lower suspension arm still attached. Oh the fun I had trying to get that back in...

[@tonyn9858]

hi it seams a lot of people have trouble getting the ns driveshaft out. its sort of put me off having a go tony uk

[@technoidtype]

Wish, I found this video before I did a starter on the 2002 automatic split port engine. Great video! its nice to know exactly how things come apart and what order to do it in as to not break things. Your videos provide such good angles and lighting. Eric you should do a video on valve seats, since this engine has a bit of a reputation. Its not my car but I have trouble throwing in the towel and seeing all my hard work go to waste because this engine decides to drop a valve and destroy the sidewalls.

[@PMGaming101]

i have been looking at your videos for the last 1 month or so and man you are one of the best if not the best on here , no bull and you can tell this is second nature for you ! all in all thanks Bro !

[@shaNk9x]

Good guy Eric, sells the video and still gives it to us for free.

[@ohtari]

Eric, thank you so much for uploading these videos. Over Monday, Tuesday and a few hours Wednesday, my father and I changed the clutch on my 2001 Euro spec focus hatchback. Using your videos, everything went fairly smooth, albeit with some complications due to rust. Getting the transmission back on was a real pig though! Well done for doing it alone. I've since bought the full video from your website, which is little in way of thanks for the money you've saved me. Please keep making videos. :)

[@smatchimo55]

lol have used that same jack for years, hate how it just shoots down 90% of the time!!!! PS some of the best close up camera work ive seen yet on mechanic stuff. thanks!

[@McKaamos]

I totally agree on the cutting the shield next to the exhaust. Those bolts on the pipe get rusty and easilly snap. Especially the nuts on the pipe clamps. They break half the time and then you need to get a new one. It's not expensive but it uses valuable time.

[@colinaglae2605]

Another big thanx, Eric. Brilliant video & gave us a chance to see why these Focus r not very popular !!

[@Dedlokdrum]

Same here, I love learning about everything to do with cars, and these videos are entertaining and interesting, plus you learn loads!

[@robinsonsauto]

Eric, i have done many of these and i must say your video/manual is very well edited and performed. from what i could see in part one I would recommend it, like always thanks for sharing your knowledge with others, Will

[@spelunkerd]

The great part of these videos is the problem solving, seemingly in real time. I would have bogged down trying to take the exhaust manifold off, and possibly having to deal with broken studs and bolts that never needed to be removed. It would have taken me far longer. The way you did it here is a simple weld and you're back in business hours sooner.

[@ericthecarguy]

@bourkeygx Thing about that is that you don't often get all the fluid out and when you go to remove/replace the trans you can end up making a big mess as a result. Of course if you have a lift and a trans jack that's not really a problem. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@Michiganborn1969]

Looking forward to parts 2 - 4. Will come in handy if our Eric decides to keep his '02 Focus. I also second that comment on the shop wall clock. Awesome.

[@oudijzergek]

Hello Eric, I'm not going to read 212 comments to check if it's been commented before so .... You take of the negative battery terminal first because it is attached to the car (neg. ground) By doing that when you go to remove the positive connection you can hit the car body with the metal part of the spanner without shorting the battery and heating up the spanner. If the vehical is pos. earth you do the pos. first. Also when putting back use reverse order !.

[@ericthecarguy]

@AverageCarMods Please do, good luck with the car, it's not too bad to drive in my opinion.

[@Snuffuluffagus22]

Is this Ford Focus the Zetec model? Do you know if all mk1 Focus' have no spigot/pilot bearing?

[@Kovalero228]

Friend, this is a very good video tutorial on replacing the clutch. If you have a head on your shoulders and a good tool, it is possible to replace. Thank you friend, again. Yes, and thanks for the quality video. Good luck

[@25Newengland]

wow a clutch job on this focus makes a clutch job on a honda look like an oil change

[@galaxymode]

Exactly changed the clutch on my 8th gen civic in like 12 hours, and I thought that was hard.

[@lauratwo16]

Eric your videos are superb for the detail & tips you share with your loyal viewership. Sometimes I wonder how you keep your sanity dealing with poor engineering design decisions such as placing a clutch slave cylinder trapped within the bell housing instead of externally? Yes I was forced to wrench this job w/out air tools stuck at a friends house merely to replace a failed slave cylinder. Ford has seen fit to take a 15 minute job and turn it into hours of needless labor for a simple slave R&R.

[@MRIlls]

Eric you are like the Bill Nye of automotive repair!

[@melvinacevedo5101]

what's up bro I will like to know you I miss with cars myself and you're a beast you know your stuff I appreciate what you do for everybody out there

[@GG90.]

An excellent reason to own a older car from times much simpler.

[@soldiersvejk2053]

Excellent video. In fact jacking up the car alone will take a lot of efforts.

[@roylwchez]

Eric, I strongly recommend you wear your safety glasses at all time!. You only get one pair of eyes. Wearing in your videos hopefully will inspire others to do the same. I'm thinking ETCG safety glasses merch!

[@steppooncc]

Eric, forget to let you know that i have bought the video ' 2002 Ford Focus Clutch Replacement Video'. I hope you can keep making more videos in the future. I will come back to you if i need any inquiry about fixing my car. Thanks, Eric.

[@MoneyMarcMes]

This was a great video!!! I wanna see more next week Eric! Manuel transmissions are a nightmare in my book and I only drive automatic. Ford Focuses are very difficult to work on as well as everything is so tight. Awesome video!!! Thanks, Marc

[@jonathan83hs1]

thanks Eric you are an inspiration to I'll mechanics including me who is still learning but catching up quick so keep up the good work.

[@JustASaab]

ive got a 2003 focus and i need my clutch changed, gonna follow this step by step and change my clutch

[@ericthecarguy]

@joshds25 Yes. You might be misinformed if you think that is a bad thing as it doesn't harm the battery at all unless you set it down very hard on small rocks or something that can damage the case.

[@shafikhan7571]

Thanks this was very helpful. I replaced the clutch plate first time in my life and it has gone good but the bleeding clutch fluid was a little tricky because when I have done everything Red Brake Light show up on the dash diagnose did not work maybe my OBD ELM327 not very or I don't know? finally, I took test drove very carefully and after many breaks paddling the warning red light gone from the dash. Ford Focus 1999. Thanks once again.

[@13FravelJ]

Hey Eric, I just took the ASE Steering and Suspension certification test and I past it with a 30 out of 40 questions correct.

[@VitorBarbosa]

I'm 2 months late but I do the same. Most of the times I just pick some of these long videos, lay in bed and just chill... and it's also educational ehehe :)

[@Benjo0008]

Shweet, thanks Eric for that great video. Now I have to buy the other parts since I can't wait for them to come out!

[@shingleful]

the new shop is huge

[@steppooncc]

I like your approaches to fix a clutch.step by step, detail, clear, and good explanation. good tutor, eric. keep it going ^_^. We are watching you @_@.

[@seasonedtoker]

you can use a silicone spray when prying plastic or rubber parts to act as a penetrating fluid. works great.

[@JohnzCarz]

Eric, great job as usual - can't wait for parts 2-4!

[@spenningtor]

I changed the clutch in my focus thanks to you eric .....cheers!!!

[@murmaider2]

Thank you for this Eric, if i had more money I'd buy everything you have to offer.

[@AverageCarMods]

Thanks Eric! I'm probably going to buy the video as well anyway though because my girlfriend might be getting a Ford Focus soon!

[@imbrandon16]

0:30 My grandmother used to have an elvis clock with the swinging legs like that one you have on the wall behind you... she's dead now... has nothing to do with the elvis clock, just thought i'd include that.

[@MisterMattyMo]

I am definitely still buying this. You deserve the 6 bucks! :]!

[@punkrockloser7]

wish this video was up when I did my clutch on my 01 zetec lol. once you figure out how to play tetris with the transaxle getting it in is easy. thumbs up for putting it up.

[@35057]

I've only done a couple FWD transmissions, some easier than others, but man..... I really don't miss working on cars for a living.. BIG construction equipment is much easier to work on! XD And I normally shy away from placing a vehicle on the pinch welds, but they are a strong point.

[@erikb8701]

I'm assuming you meant, "You are never safe" instead of "you aren't never safe" cause that's a fantastic double-negative. and I agree with the mighty car mods comparison.

[@Project_88]

man, you are a great technician, but the worst marketer to sell this vid. Thanks for the great vid, bro !

[@fusionstar916]

Eric, the red 3.5 ton low profile jacks from Costco for $100 is a great buy. It lifts quick, and drops slow and controlled. Had mines for 3 years with no leaks. Just saying since I saw your jack drop the car pretty quick and scary.

[@garyaxtell6367]

This video is very informative but would of been nice for him to tell you that it's an ib5 gearbox found in the 1.4 up to the 1.8. The 2.0 models use the mtx75 gearbox which is much larger and stronger. Just in case anyone was wondering.

[@bradenanderson5087]

2.0 being the 2 liter engine? or are you referring the "second generation" Mark 2's? Also, is the mtx75 any harder to get out?

[@MikeF421]

The 2.0 SOHC still uses the IB5, the DOHC uses the mtx75

[@Aguirre693]

Cant stop looking at the elvis clock 0_o

[@wnight55]

I noticed it right away, knew it had to be Elvis. I want one.

[@Providenceangle]

Done a few transmissions. Ford Freestar comes to mind... Nothing fun about taking it apart or putting it together... Even with a lift.

[@vettefever67]

This guy is the man. Thanks Eric.

[@CaptainRudy4021]

According to my Haynes manual, there's no drain plug. You drain the fluid by removing the axles.

[@jimmyweider3113]

Hey guys if we click on the ads for Eric we can make him some money ;)

[@seanwatts8342]

After 14 years _TIME_ beat my clutch, not miles. A dried out clutch hydraulic system no longer holds fluid pressure ... aaaannnddd it's been 115,000 miles so the entire clutch system and not just the master and slave cylinders are going to be replaced - *THANKS ERIC*

[@ratdude747]

@YotaFan1 yeah, it is. he moved it from his old shop. IIRC, it was a valentines day gift from someone.

[@inSpihr]

Just fyi everybody this is the ib5 transmission, there is an mtx 75 transmission in my 2000 zx3 manual.

[@cbobcbob100]

great job---i need toyota repairs videos in the future

[@365bigjoe]

im gonna watch it just on youtube because im a student and i sporadic on cash...id wouldnt mind if you did more like this

[@dscroged]

hey eric a trick for truck ball joint get a socket or steel bar that fits peftect where u put your bar and lower the car onto something to compress it and it pops right off work great on my vw or suburu..

[@bradenanderson5087]

Totally, using the weight of the car to pop things like ball joints out, as long as you're being careful, is a nice easy way to do it. I use the same trick to get the strut assemble out of the steering knuckle, but in reverse, just loosen bolt, then jack up strut from floor until it comes out :)

[@RandallFlaggNY]

Eric, do you have access to the technical documentation for the car? A how to like Chilton or Haynes or whatever the pro's use?

[@ericthecarguy]

@McKaamos My thoughts exactly, thanks for the comment.

[@evoGage]

Thanks for the video Eric! Looking forward to the remaining parts.

[@crabhab]

Thanks Eric I need to do the clutch on my 2007 Focus with it's MTX-75 tranny. This will help!!

[@splashibanez92]

Depends on how much oil the engine is burning. A liter/1000km is the limit of normal. More than that and you most likely have a piston ring problem. Try using a thicker oil (15w-40 or 20w-50, depending on your engine) first to see if it slows down the burning!

[@deeman52586]

I LOVE YOUR SHOP CLOCK!!!!!!

[@ericthecarguy]

@Oozingmachismo24 In fairness that was due to the rust on the exhaust, if I had removed the exhaust that would not have been necessary.

[@CtheKidie]

@fusionstar916 The Torin? I'm also thinking about getting that. Nice to hear that it works well.

[@YotaFan1]

Is that an elvis clock on the wall behind you? the thing with legs moving back and fourth? If so can you show it closer it looks awesome.

[@ericthecarguy]

@FEAR6655 Good point, thanks for the suggestion.

[@93bradley]

shop looks sick man!

[@ColorNULL]

lol i like how you take all the time to remove plastic covers and such but wont drop a chuck of exhaust to get to 2 bolts. gotta say. good videos though :)

[@SuuOnYaBike]

Eric, can you do an engine mount check and or replacement?

[@amanyimmesghen9166]

Thanks for the video very much, I learned a lot. I do have some questions, though: 1: When jacking the car up, if it's fine to rest the jack stands on the pinch welds, wouldn't it be okay to jack the car up from the pinch welds as well? That's where I normally jack the car/place jack stands, but that's only ever been for swapping tires/brake work. And sort of related, I always wondered if pinch welds get crushed over time, having such a heavy weight over such a small area. Does that happen?

[@Roushfan5]

Hey Eric, you have any videos of fuel injector replacement? One on a 1991 Nissan Maxima especially would be accripated.

[@SpikeyBoy333]

Leave MCM out of this they are just pure and absolute awesomeness. They just provide info in a more entertaining way. Not to bring down Eric in any way you cant compare the two shows as they aim to provide info in two different ways.

[@arilariel]

that looks like a lot of time and energy required! how much if you take it to the mechanic to replace the clutch?