Another 46 to 47 project!

[DreamsOfA47]

I thought there was a possibility coolant could have gotten down into the clutch mechanism through the inspection holes, but the water seems to be leaking down the side of the bellhousing rather than the direction of the inspection holes but anything is possible I guess 

I've been reading the manuals all day and it seems the the gearbox removal isn't difficult it just requires the removal of many things ion order to get the gearbox out. I'll plan ahead and make ample time to disassemble it when the time comes; maybe I can get to it come the first of the year. I have to prep my 82 RX& race car for a track day late January so that's gonna take all my free time not devoted to studying. Thankfully that's not intensive it's just nut-and-bolt checking so if I get it done early I can get to the Lotus sooner. Wish me luck, Lads!!

[GavinT]

I haven't done a gearbox only removal myself, but . . .

Me? . . I'd raise the car via the rear hoop for a few inches & install jack stands.
Loosen the engine mount bolts (best to take the top ones out), remove the two long skinny bolts through the rear g/box mount and then disconnect the lower links and drive out the half-shaft roll pins . . should make it possible to lower the gearbox with a floor jack onto your wife's footstool or an old tyre.

Also, the rear gear change tube, of course, and the speedo cable if it looks to be vulnerable to damage.
Then the bell housing bolts are last on the list but disconnect the battery because the starter will be dislodged.

Have I missed anything?
Ask Richard if/where he found some flywheel bolts.

[DreamsOfA47]

Gavin the only problem with your idea is my gearbox has to come out of the top because the S1 bottom is fully unclosed! I'll borrow a hoist so it won't be too bad an operation.

[DreamsOfA47]

Lads, those of you with Renault powered cars, from where did you source your clutch components when you needed to repair them? I've seen RD has a kit advertised but with no price so I'll email them. Aside from them does anyone else know of anyone or any business? Also what spline pattern does the input shaft/clutch disc use? I've been searching the internet for an alignment tool but can't seem to find one. Does any other make/model tool work?

[jbcollier]

The spline has 21 teeth.  Some kits come with the alignment tool.  Not absolutely necessary as you can line it up by eye, or modify another tool with tape to do the job.

[RoddyMac]

Toyota Corolla (AE86) and early MR2 (AW11) use a spline that's very very close (21 tooth) but it's for some reason an imperial size (15/16").  I don't think the pilot bearing size (0.4724") would work for the Renault application, but you might be able to build it up with tape. 

[DreamsOfA47]

Thanks, gents! Knowing its a 21 spline I can go to the local clutch shop and get something close and them make it work with some tape. I'm not confident I can align it properly without some kind of tool.

[TurboFource]

I did this at JB ant the internet suggestion.....worked fine.

[DreamsOfA47]

Hello all,

I don't have much of an update for y'all yet. I ordered a clutch disc and release bearing from Europe but nothing has arrived yet so I'm still waiting. I also haven't touched the water pump of the radiator fan as I've been super busy with work and holiday obligations. I did try something a little strange however: knowing that I'm going to be changing the entire clutch assembly I decided to take my adjustable neck WD-40 can and spray the input shaft along the release bearing path of travel and now the clutch behaves as it should. I believe that to be a pretty good indicator that the bearing has failed (or is failing) and has been getting hung up on the shaft. It appears I didn't get any lube on the clutch disc as it doesn't slip at all and I can now run short errands around town in the Europa if the urge strikes me which is definitely a nice feeling.

I'm taking my RX7 race car to Buttonwillow Raceway for the University of VARA in late Jan so my priorities have shifted to getting the race car ready, but that's just ensuring the car is still in working order and I'll be focused on the Lotus again soon enough!

[DreamsOfA47]

It seems that my parts are arriving very soon and I can begin pulling the gearbox in the near future. Does anyone have any advice or cautions for me for the task of removing the gearbox? Is there anything special I shod replace or inspect while the gearbox is out? should I purchase new roll pins for the axles? Lastly, those of you who have pulled the gearbox how did you get it out of the car? The underside of the engine bay on my S1 is enclosed I was figuring I'd use an engine crane and a couple ratchet straps to lift it over the rear bodywork.

[SwiftDB4]

I would have new roll pins on hand. Sometimes you can reuse them, but not if they're cracked or mangled.
Lifting the trans up over the rear bodywork is the correct way. One man job with an engine hoist.

[DreamsOfA47]

Hello all! It's been a long time coming but I'm finally working on pulling the transaxle and changing the water pump on the Europa! In the process of tearing shit down I managed to twist and begin to fray the clutch cable. Does anyone know if any other make and model is close enough in specs to work in an S1 Europa with a 336 gearbox? If not I'll have to place another RD order asap...

[BDA]

Dave Bean Engineering would probably be quicker for you.

[DreamsOfA47]

Alright I've run into a big problem. I have the trans out and I'm trying to remove and replace the old throwout bering because it's toast. The problem is I can't get the pins out of the bearing fork in order to remove the old bearing. Does anyone have any advice on getting them out? Can the bearing be removed without taking the pins off and the fork out??? It's really hanging me up!! 

[BDA]

Ok, it's been a while but I don't think you need to be fooling with pins. The throw out bearing rides in a carrier. As I remember, you just slide it on and off. You may need to pry it with a screwdriver. Try that and report back.