[deputy5211]

I finally started my clutch replacement project. I have the bike stripped down, tank, battery, exhaust, rear wheel are all off, oil drained from engine, trans, and FD. This afternoon I will remove the final drive unit and dive in a bit deeper.

I was a bit apprehensive before, and that pit in my stomach is growing larger and larger. I am soooo in over my head, despite MrBlauBeemer's detailed write-up, a BMW Service Manual, AND a Clymer manual.

If anyone is able to come over today (Thursday), tomorrow (Friday), and/or Saturday to provide help, guidance, or moral support, I will forever be in your debt. I have all of the tools, including specialty tools made specifically for LT clutch work, plus all of the parts. I am in the Plano/Allen/McKinney area.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

 

[hallzee]

I feel your pain, and wish I was within riding distance.

Trust me, it's not as daunting a task as it seems. There are a couple point when a second set of hands comes in handy though. These don't necessarily need to be "skilled" hands - just help align some things, and hold a bolt on the swing arm.

Hopefully you can find a helper, if not - you will get through this. Kenny's document is awesome, and really gives a thorough and ACCURATE set of instructions.

 

[jzeiler]

Wish I could be there for you Tony. Down load and watch the weep hole drilling video part A. It may help give you the courage to continue.

 

[LTFan]

I am not an expert at practically anything except computers, but from my learning of servicing my bike here is what I have decided - Keep working on it till you are enjoying it. Take a break and come back to it again when you have enough curiosity and motivation to do it again. The work will finish someday and you would have enjoyed the time doing it as well. Consider the delay like the delay in getting a dealership's appointment to work on it.

 

[meese]

Wish I was close enough to help, too.

The one thing I can say is be careful when getting the large threaded connectors out of the swing arm. Some of these are aluminum parts put in using Loctite, and can strip their threads easily. Even worse is damaging the large, internal threads in the swing arm itself. I have had to have the swing arm threads re-tapped before, and those large, metric taps can be hard to come by.

Heating the swing arm threads does help here, as does patience and very careful application of force on these components. It's not an impossible job, if you are aware of the possible problems and take the time to do it right.

Good luck.

 

[deputy5211]

Thanks, all, for the encouraging words.

I remember when I bought my first LT about six years ago and how it took me almost a month to get up the nerve to remove the tupperware. Since then I have done all of my own service, installed my own farkles, and helped others learn how to work on their LTs, and I could not have done it without the help of the great folks who frequent these hallowed halls.

I have no doubt that I will get through this one way or another, and I will probably have an "I remember when" moment at some point in the future when I read about someone else having similar apprehension. That said, I do not think that even Xanax could help my anxiety over this project right now...

 

[bigbear]

Tony,
You must remember "Pet the Sweaty stuff, not sweat the petty stuff"


best of luck

 

[moralem]

I am happy to provide an extra set of hands for the manual labor since I know nothing of this level of work or just to talk the procedure through. I too am in the McKinney area so no problem getting to you.

 

[deputy5211]

I am happy to provide an extra set of hands for the manual labor since I know nothing of this level of work or just to talk the procedure through. I too am in the McKinney area so no problem getting to you.

Come on down... PM me for contact info, or just PM yours and I will ring you up.

 

[hallzee]

I do not think that even Xanax could help my anxiety over this project right now...

You don't need Xanax for anxiety. Your treatment has been miss prescribed. I suggest the Maker's Mark treatment. Line up 6 shots.

When you finish the sixth one, you will feel little if any anxiety!

 

[cws]

can't blame you sweating it Tony... I read BlauBeeMr's writeup the other night and just let out an expletive.... got a dirty look from my lady for it! :histerica

If you get a chance, try to Skype us in so we can watch and learn and provide moral support :clapping:
.....you still under ltparts.com?

 

[munson]

I'm with you in spirit, bro. Say a prayer, take several deep breaths, and proceed!

 

[deputy5211]

You don't need Xanax for anxiety. Your treatment has been miss prescribed. I suggest the Maker's Mark treatment. Line up 6 shots.

When you finish the sixth one, you will feel little if any anxiety!

When I called back my doc, he re-wrote it for iced Grey Goose. I trust that will work.

 

[deputy5211]

can't blame you sweating it Tony... I read BlauBeeMr's writeup the other night and just let out an expletive.... got a dirty look from my lady for it! :histerica

If you get a chance, try to Skype us in so we can watch and learn and provide moral support :clapping:
.....you still under ltparts.com?

Neat idea.. I may bring the MacBook outside and do just that... will probably start around 1200 CDT (GMT -6) Deputy5211 is my ID. Yours?

 

[deputy5211]

I'm with you in spirit, bro. Say a prayer, take several deep breaths, and proceed!

Brother John... Prayers said in an ongoing manner. Deep breathing also happening (I think they call it hyperventilation... LoL), and moving forward.

Actually, I believe I am MUCH more apprehensive about putting it all back together than I am about taking it apart. Guess I will have to pray that much more diligently before I get into that part.

 

[deputy5211]

Update

So far the bike is stripped down to where the real work will begin. I have removed the swing arm and am about to remove the drive shaft. Slave cylinder replacement is next, and then off comes the transmission so I can get to the clutch.

Just picked up the rear wheel with its brand new BattleAx. Have a front tire sitting here and ready to go as soon as the bike is back together (would suck to have BOTH wheels off at the same time... DAMHIK!).

Rear shock is off and ready to deliver it and the new HyperPro spring to the local GoodYear store for spring installation. I truly hope I will have time to get the front spring also swapped during the malay. Will put it off to avoid further disassembly/reassembly if time runs short.

Have some time to kill and want to come suffer with me? Come on over Saturday and/or Sunday.

 

[Texas42]

Re: Update

Hi Tony, sorry I can't be there. My thoughts are with you and your bike. Just keep reminding yourself to take your time and it is a machine that will work once you put it back together

No parts left-over :wave

 

[JPSpen]

It's just a mechanism... It comes apart and goes back together one piece at a time...

I try to line up everything in order somewhere on the shop floor while I'm taking things apart...That way I just work my way backwards thru the parts pile and I don't get ahead of myself somewhere along the way...

Try to break it down into little jobs.. That'll make it much easier to see..

Also, The first time I take something apart.. I make notes..
1. Rear wheel, 5 lugbolts...,
2. Trunk, 4 bolts...1 electrical connector..

A bunch of small to larger cardboard boxes works good too.. Pull a part. Place it and it's fastners into a box.. Number the box...etc...

Good Luck

John

 

[bikerj]

Re: Update

So far the bike is stripped down to where the real work will begin. I have removed the swing arm and am about to remove the drive shaft...Have some time to kill and want to come suffer with me? Come on over Saturday and/or Sunday.

It actually sounds like fun Tony. Too bad I'm not at home, or I'd come over and help. I could even bring the xanax and grey goose. :yeah:

I hope you're going to replace the rear main seal while you're in that far. :wave