Clutch replacement problems help!

[slobound76]

Have a 77 280Z and the clutch plate broke and am installing a new centerforce 1 clutch which works with all stock parts. Have unbolted everything and just need to get the driveshaft out to drop the tranny down to get at the clutch. The U-joint has locking snap rings that dont have holes for snap ring pliers, which I have never seen before, so no clue how to get the ujoint out to get the driveshaft out to drop the tranny and so on and so on....help please, this is my only means of transportation and can't afford to have it done professionally....please write back to me either on here or at slobound76@yahoo.com. Thanks

[JimmyZ]

Hmmm... I have a 240Z but could swear that the 280Z driveshaft unbolts back at the differential yoke. There are four small nuts/bolts which hold the driveshaft to the front of the diff. Make sure that you use red loctite on these bolts and the pressure plate bolts when reassembling.

IF you can, keep the driveshaft or a spare driveshaft yoke plugged into the back of the tranny while removing/installing. You'll need to drain the tranny fuild otherwise. If you don't you'll finish the job with your back and hair soaked in smelly 90W. (Ask me how I know these things.)

Jim

[RogerZ]

Yeah four bolts aft by the diffy and drive shaft drops then extract it from the tranny. There is some tin back there you need to remove to get at the bolts. Might as well change tranny fluid anyway unless you just did. You can wrap plastic around the end of the tranny with duct tape to preven sloppage of oil. If you haven't already the exhaust system is usually in the way of an efficient tranny pull. Datsun used press steel u joints they don't come apart. Hope you have a tranny jack makes things easy. Other wise bolt a 2x6 piece of wood about a foot long to a scissor jack. Put some 2x4 on each end so tranny doesn't just roll off it. Some hydraulic jacks you can unbolt the round turret looking piece and then bolt some wood to it that way. If you pull your center console it will be easier to remove tranny as you can look down there and see the bolts. Plus pull th shifter it is easier. Get some long extensions you need like 2.5 to three feet with a universal. that way you can get at the bell housing bolts easily from underneath. If you can get an extra pair of hands topside helps also. First time around I'd say make sure you have 6-8 hours for the job. You can do it less when youve done it afore but first time around lots of head scratching going on. Make sure get the car high enough off the ground so you can get the tranny out of the way. Might consider replacing rear engine seal at this point. If you need to resuface flywheel for sure.

[RogerZ]

Oh yeah need to take off starter and clutch slave cylinder.