Is it possible to use my winch to change the clutch ???

[stevepage3]

I have got tto change the clutch on my disco.

Several people have advised that an engine crane is the best way in through the drivers door, I am limited on space and wondered whether ot would be feasable to remove the sunroof and use the front winch up over the bonnet and down through the roof.

Obviousley I would need to make up some protection for the bonnet and roof, but do you think this could work.

I am only lowereing it enough to get at the clutch !.

Am I mad or could this work ?

[andyb]

I wouldn't use an engine crane thru the drivers door, I'd go thru the passenger door so that the steering wheel wasn't in the way :)

I wouldn't use the winch either......you just don't have the control required.

You can move the gearbox back and down just enough to change the clutch on a trolley jack. There are frames avaliable to support the gearbox on a trolley jack...or you can make one.

When I have changed clutchs (and whole gearboxs) have put the vehicle up on a pair of car ramps and a pair of axle stands to give me more room underneath.

I understand 'limited space' but it can be done on a driveway.......as me how I know :)

HTH

[Range Rover Blues]

Personally i lift the engine forwards, I don't like crawling about underneath too much.  Either way like Andy said it's easier to line the bolts up if you push the box back into place with a jack, you have much better control and the jack willbe next to you so you aren't jumping up and down all the time.

[Snake110]

As all winch manuals will tell you this is NOT a hoist they "may" do what you want but they are not designed for it.
You would be relying on the auto break to hold whatever you try to lift which is a highly dangerous practice.
and you're insurance will almost certainly be void is it all goes wrong !

short answer don't do it..

[clbarclay]

Several people have advised that an engine crane is the best way in through the drivers door

I know on defenders, series and early RRC the transmission tunnel could be unbolted giving good access to the top of the gearbox, but all the discoverys and later RRC I've seen had one piece bodies around the gearbox making access much more difficult. If you can still hoist the latter examples from above does any one have pictures of this being done?

[mentalmoshio sophs V8i]

take the engine out , sorry but thats the only way for me job done in a long day  :x

[Sharpshooter]

I have done Disco's both ways. And in my opinion moving the engine forward is the easiest. Borrow an a frame if you can. And take the bonnet off out the way.

[Ruprick]

I've done a clutch with a trolley jack underneath in a few hours and it worked perfectly well.
IMHO it is too much hassle you don't need to be moving the engine about, let alone taking it out.

HTH, Cheers, Al

[Disco_Stu]

No to the winch. To complex and dangerous.

Changing the clutch is not that hard if you can get a helper. I haven't got an engine crane so I used a very heavy duty ratchet strap and a few baulks of timber over the trans-tunnel inside the car to stop the box dropping, used a trolley jack for finer maneuvering.

As mentioned, ensure you tilt the engine front up, back down - this is essential when getting it to mate up on rebuild. I used a length of 3x2 under the front of the sump braced on the floor, get a good tilt on it. Obviously don't do this until the gearbox mountings are all off :)

Get the prop off the diff end, bellhousing bolts out, centre console out, gear/difflock levers, rubbers etc free and then use a bar to lever the gearbox back enough to get at the clutch bolts.

Thats it really, do it in an afternoon if you've a good helper :)

Stu.

[clover]

Hi

As far as the winch idea... well it depends on a few things -

1) You don't want to shut the sunroof again and are not bothered if it leaks if you do mange to get it closed.

2) You have a panel beater friend who owes you a few favors and will repair and respray your roof for you.

3) You have a spare windscreen and have auto glass on speed dial.

So most likely its a no to the winch option!

I've done all the different options and gearbox off is favorite. Far less stuff to take off and mess around with.

If its on the ground then engine crane in the passenger door works well with a trolley jack to steady the xfer box end.

Get the vehicle up on ramps at the front. Should be enough room to work then.