We'd used our Focus as a daily driver. We'd dyno tested it. We'd taken it on a full-fledged road course. And, in our last update, we rallycrossed the poor thing.
Finally, mercifully, we pulled it into the garage and changed the clutch. Our 250,000 mile daily driver was long overdue, but we just couldn't stop driving it long enough …
I love you guys, and I understand how you make a living, but lately these blurbs sound a little like Ricky Bobby after a race.
mazdeuce wrote: I love you guys, and I understand how you make a living, but lately these blurbs sound a little like Ricky Bobby after a race.
Ditto. Though for the sake of all that is good, please do not start hashtagging E36 M3.
Why would I need a clutch if I have a torque converter? Jeez, let's try entering the 20th century with transmission technology...
In reply to Knurled:
Death before slushbox. 
I have actually been reading less of the GRM staff posts because of the "Rickey Bobby" like content.
I don't understand the negative reference here. I see a short statement that the project car's clutch has been replaced with a link to some pictures. Nice idea about keeping track of the bellhousing bolts by the way.
Yes I agree on the "no hashtagging" thing however.
Appleseed wrote: In reply to Knurled: Death before slushbox.
Damn right!
since when is putting a clutch in a fwd econobox considered "major surgery" by car people?
you pop the axles out, drop the trans, take out the old clutch bits, put the new clutch bits in, put the trans back in, put the axles back in..
Not everyone is a superdork; some folks actually need encouragement that they can do big mechanical jobs on their own in basic workspaces.
This is the kind of E36 M3 that turns newcomers off to the car hobby, not to mention you look like trolls sitting in the corner of someone else's restaurant drinking the free coffee and bitching about how bad it is.
Margie
novaderrik wrote: since when is putting a clutch in a fwd econobox considered "major surgery" by car people? you pop the axles out, drop the trans, take out the old clutch bits, put the new clutch bits in, put the trans back in, put the axles back in..
I'm sure you've done it a ton of times, and can knock out the job in a few hours. To the rest of us it's a major undertaking that could take an entire weekend. Wrestling a FWD trans out of a car, on your back with no help is the very definition of PITA.
dean1484 wrote: I have actually been reading less of the GRM staff posts because of the "Rickey Bobby" like content.
Did I miss Tom talking about packs of wild dogs that control most of Holly Hill?
Marjorie Suddard wrote: Not everyone is a superdork; some folks actually need encouragement that they can do big mechanical jobs on their own in basic workspaces. This is the kind of E36 M3 that turns newcomers off to the car hobby, not to mention you look like trolls sitting in the corner of someone else's restaurant drinking the free coffee and bitching about how bad it is. Margie
i disagree... saying that something as simple as a clutch swap in a late model fwd car is a major undertaking is what pushes people away from the hobby. yeah, there's somewhat heavy and awkwardly shaped stuff involved and yes, you need to have a few tools and yes, you might run into a few things along the way that might fight you... but it's not difficult to anyone with a basic level of mechanical ability and the willingness to stick it out and get it done.
Love these how too type articles for 'simple' things. I always learn something from them, even if it's just a reminder of how to teach someone.
And I really should have put a or two after my initial comment. It was really meant to be very tongue in cheek and if it came across otherwise I apologize.
Gearheadotaku wrote: Wrestling a FWD trans out of a car, on your back with no help is the very definition of PITA.
Nah, out is easy. The definition of PITA Is wrestling it back IN. :)
True, very true
Is that 250k on the original clutch? Pretty impressive, if so. I consider myself a pretty accomplished mechanic, even in present company. A clutch replacement on a modern car is not a trivial job, and I would crack a beer with satisfaction after buttoning it back up.
Wow, I didn't realize how terrible I made it sound.
"It doesn't take a million-dollar shop to perform major surgery on your car; it takes patience and simple hand tools."
I don't see where I'm telling new people not to work on their own cars.
As far as all the links, it's the new integrations we set up between project updates and the forum. We've always linked a lot in updates, and they now carry over to the board. That's an automated post up top.
I do not see the Ricky Bobbyness in any of these things. IDK, maybe I'm just ignoring it?
W/e, I don't mind these post updates; frankly I read more of the content on the site becasue of them.
I think it's in the phrasing. Saying "we're pretty happy with our e-Bay motors prolong super lubricants garage work today" sounds like Ricky Bobby. Saying "we picked up a clutch on eBay motors because they're our go to for we need it cheap and now" sounds different. Incidentally, I think one sells your affiliate better than the other. Saying what you use without explaining why sounds like straight up advertising, not simply being helpful to your readers.
Either way, somehow I had never thought of using screwdrivers to hold things together like that, always preferring to swear and attempt to thread in bolts, so I really did learn something useful, and I appreciate it.
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
The blurb gives an idea of what you did, the parts you used, and why. Sounds good to me. The article is perfect for a college-aged kid that is more likely to own an old Focus. It isn't for a bitter, cheap bastard complaining about the free coffee.
I may need to put a clutch in mine someday, so I'm happy to see this. It has an odd and heavy set up, and I may want to install an aftermarket set up with a lighter flywheel. Maybe an LSD at the same time.
Why did you use GL4 fluid? I put that in my Vanagon, but it requires GL4. My transmission rebuilder recommended that i did not use GL5 The manual also calls for GL4.
Tom wrote the article. He's a young guy so maybe he wrote it for his peers. He didn't write it for old guys like myself who've done a whole bunch of clutches on a whole bunch of different cars. Yet I still read how-to's like this so I can see what's up with a car I haven't done yet. Having said that, remember this kid did a 944 clutch. By himself. Like five years ago.
As far as the product references, they're in the business of selling magazines. GRM has always been a model of restraint when placing products.
Hey Tom, poke holes in your bolt position card and stick the bolts through just in case someone accidentally knocks it over. If you decide to put a heavier-duty clutch in it, do the rear main seal while you're in there. It won't last for the life of the new clutch.
Oh jeez guys, stop with the hate. Even if GRM staff is getting kick backs from these blurbs, I'm fine with it. As long as the magazine stays in print. Or at least makes a healthy jump to the site. I just don't want to lose GRM. And if that means TINY and I mean T-I-N-Y little blurbs here and there, I'll take it.
You think that's bad? I used to have a sub for super street mag. And then all of a sudden the magazine turned into half ads, half Asian chicks, and half actual automotive content. (That's 150%...) And even more disappointing is that as of today that mag is half its size...
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