Hi All,

 

Newly registered but I've gotten some great information from this forum in the past. The clutch on my 2003 Outback 2.5 is about to go out. I've seen that it isn't terribly difficult to replace, but wondered if there are any good articles on it here on the board? Also, the factory kit includes a flywheel, but on the aftermarket, there are vitually no standard replacement flywheels. I was thinking about using a Sachs kit and possibly having the existing flywheel turned but don't see a good source for replacements if need be.

 

So again my questions:

 

1. Is there a good article on clutch replacement?

2. What good options for flywheel replacement are there?

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

95% sure you will not have to replace the flywheel unless you really burned that sucker. Even then you can have a little machined off without issue. I don't know the specs on that off the top of my head but there are many here that do. I have only replaced one flywheel doing about 30+ clutch jobs.

 

Be sure you replace the pilot bearing, release bearing and while back there throw in a new rear crank seal.

 

A clutch job is about as straight forward as it comes, hardest part is getting to the parts.

 

Along those lines, take a few pictures along the way so you don't forget how it goes back together. And take time to look over your engine. There a small coolant hoses that are often ignored you can get checked out up close.

Just get a decent clutch kit and have the flywheel turned by a machine shop. Might cost $50 or $60 but it's better than paying $250 for a new OE part.

Chris, curious to know your current mileage...I've been told my clutch throwout bearing is not long for this world, and I am tempted, while in there, to replace the clutch pressure plate and disc. Car has 95,000 miles on it - how long did yours last ?