Ford Repair: Clutch Installation, clutch alignment tool, grease pencil

Question
If it is possible could you briefly explain what procedures would be required to replace a clutch in a 94 Ford Escort?  Car has 100,000 miles on it.  Along with the clutch, would I need to replace pressure plate,throwout bearing, pilot bearing?  

Answer
David,

To reach the clutch components, you will need to remove the transmission, leaving the engine in the vehicle. If the engine is being removed for major overhaul, then check the clutch for wear and replace worn components as necessary. Remember the components to the clutch are relatively low cost compaired to the removal of the transmission to gain access to the clutch (if you are having it professionally done).

I will presume that you are leaving the engine in the vehicle- You will need to remove the transmission from the vehicle, making sure that you support the engine, preferably with an engine hoist. If you are using a jack for the purpose of supporting the engine, make sure that there is a piece of wood positioned underneath the engine between the jack and the oil pan to spread the weight of the load.

You will need to use a clutch alignment tool to support the clutch disc during the removal. Inspect the fly wheel and the pressure plate for indexing marks (these are usually an "X" or an "O" or a white letter) if they are not visible, mark them your self with a white grease pencil so that the pressure plate and the fly wheel are in the same alignment during installation. Turn each bolt 1/4 turn at a  time to loosen the pressure plate-to-flywheel bolts, working in a crisscross pattern until all spring pressure is relieved evenly, then hold the pressure plate securely and completely remove the bolts, followed by the pressure plate and then the clutch disc.

I strongly recommend replacing the pressure plate, throw out bearing and the pilot bearing as well as the slave cylinder when replacing the clutch as these components will be worn out as well and if they are not replacxed at the time you replace the clutch, your old parts will wear out the new clutch rapidly and you will be back at the same spot you are now.

I hope that this helps and if you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Good Luck,

Ken