Minnesota Focus Owners Club

ok so i just bought a 2000 zx3 and i think its clutch is slipping, when i step on the gas the rpms go up but my speed does not go up real fast, it goes up but way so, its much different then my other 2000, granted it does have 20000 less miles.

but i assume i need a new clutch, my question is whats the best way to support the motor while i take the tranny out? and any helpful tips? i still have not decided if i will attempt this myself or have it done. i know how to do it i am just not sure i have all the correct tools/enough room to do it. But considering that the shop i talked to want $1200 to do it....OUCH...and thats just the clutch, i am leaning towards attempting it myself...

If it's the clutch is bad you might also look into replacing or resurfacing your flywheel What you're describing sounds like slippage though.

The best way to support the engine is probably from the top with one of those fancy engine supports that stretches across the engine bay. Otherwise you could do it with a good ol' cherry picker too.

I've seen people build 2x4 engine holders too...

o2designs wrote:I've seen people build 2x4 engine holders too...

Well that's a wallet friendly approach

I've done the good ol' 2x4 Support Its free and it works!

what is the best way to build one...got any pics of one? or if i were to buy one where would i go.

and where would i go to get a flywheel resurfaced? i was thinking i would just buy a new one, but somthing tells me thats really expensive...

theres a sticky in the "shift it" forum on focaliet that has a rather detailed writeup for the whole swap/engine brace.

i saw that but i am having a hard time visualizing that brace in my head

yea that clutch is slippin, sounds just like mine when it went out.... i didnt get any support for my engine, i just grab 2 jacks, one to hold up the engine, and one for the tranny.... u can call that "GHETTO", cause that's wat it was.... it's good to have 1 or 2 guys help wit the tearout and install thou....

Autoparts stores can order you a real engine brace. I've always used real ones, because I had a guy I knew that I continually borrowed one from. I think they are around $60. Or you can doe the 2x4 method, just as effective.

I would NOT recommend the jack, mars, method. For the amount you yank and push on that motor, I wouldn't trust a single jack to hold it up from falling on my head.

I have never had any problems with the jack method when yanking a transaxle. Of course I. Have never done it myself on a Focus, we just yanked the whole motor and tranny.

Pappy wrote:Autoparts stores can order you a real engine brace. I've always used real ones, because I had a guy I knew that I continually borrowed one from. I think they are around $60. Or you can doe the 2x4 method, just as effective.

I would NOT recommend the jack, mars, method. For the amount you yank and push on that motor, I wouldn't trust a single jack to hold it up from falling on my head.

yea NOT recommeded!!!!! but i needed the car up and running soon wit low on cash, and that's wat i got there.... so i used it.... if u got the cash make sure u get all the right tools, parts, and equipment before starting....

Hopefully this link works.

http://www.napaonline.com/NOLPPSE/(S(ld ... 999+109999

All it has to do is have two raised supports to sit on the strut towers and a cross bar to hook the engine to. Pretty straight forward.

FORDSVTPARTS wrote:Hopefully this link works.

Sure doesn't

STEVE YOUR LINK NO WORKY!!!!