How to Change a Clutch on a 1991 Honda Accord

The clutch in your Honda Accord transfers turning power between the engine and transaxle to get your car moving. Both the clutch disc and pressure plate work in unison to make sure this power flows. But once the assembly begins to slip, drag or grab, you need to replace the clutch disc and pressure plate. Follow these steps to replace the old unit with a new one.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jack and 2 jack stands
• Wrench set
• Ratchet and socket set
• Scratch awl
• Screwdriver

1. Park your car in a safe place with enough room around the car, specially at the front, where you can move jack and tools around you.

2. Disconnect the black, negative cable form the battery.

3. Raise the front of the vehicle with a jack and support it safely on jack stands.

4. Support the transaxle with the jack and remove the bolts that secure the transaxle to the engine using wrenches, ratchet and sockets. Keep bolts, nuts and other parts neatly organized for easier reassembly.

5. Move the transaxle to the side just enough to give yourself enough clearance to work on the clutch assembly.

6. Scribe alignment marks with a scratch awl or small screwdriver on the clutch pressure plate and mounting base if you plan to reuse the same pressure plate; however, installing a new pressure plate now will save you much time later and ensure the clutch assembly works much better for a longer period of time.

7. Turn the pressure plate mounting bolts two turns counterclockwise one by one, working in a crisscross pattern, until you can remove the bolts with your hand. This method will prevent the pressure plate from wrapping. Also, make sure you have a good grip on the clutch assembly as you get ready to remove it; the clutch disc and pressure plate combined weight makes the assembly awkward to handle.

8. Clean the flywheel surface with brake cleaner; then, mount the clutch disc and pressure plate assembly. The clutch disc friction material should face the pressure plate. Make sure the pressure plate dowel holes align with the dowel pins on the flywheel. Install the clutch bolts finger-tight.

9. Insert a clutch disc alignment tool into the clutch assembly center hole to align the pressure plate and disc, then tighten the pressure plate bolts two turns at a time, working in a crisscross pattern. Torque the bolts to 19 foot pounds and remove the alignment tool.

10. As you bring the transaxle close to the engine, align the transaxle input shaft to the clutch disc splines. Align the transaxle case to the engine block and push the transaxle in place against the cylinder block.

11. Install and tighten the transaxle to engine mounting bolts.

12. Lower the vehicle and reconnect the black, negative battery cable.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to locate or identify parts in your particular car, consult your vehicle's service manual. You can buy one at most auto parts stores or consult one for free at your local public library.
• In building clutch discs, many manufacturers add asbestos, which can cause lung cancer if inhaled. Never use compressed air to clean a clutch surface. Instead, use brake cleaning fluid and a clean shop rag to wipe clean parts and mounting surface before installing a new assembly.

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