I am looking at changing the clutch on my 1.4, Mk5 escort. Garage has quoted more than the car is worth.
Just need some tips with regard to driveshaft removal, aligning the splines, special tools required etc. as I have heard the gearbox is a bit of a bugger to get back.

Graeme Thomson, January 2005

step.

1. Remove battery neg, and loosten roadwheels

2. Place front of vehicle on axle stands
3. Remove starter
4. remove wheels
5 place a jack under the gear box.
6. Loosten bell housing bolts
7. separate bottom ball joint from lower knuckle both sides.
8. Separate track rod end both sides from knuckle.
9. The drive shafts should slide out assuming that they are trilobal types.

10. Place plastic bag over each shaft end and secure with a rubber band.
11. Undo front and back gearbox mounts
12. Lower gearbox end using jack aprox. 8 to 12 inches.
13 place something under the sump, or support the gearbox end of engine from the top using the lifting eye.
14. undo nuts. Holding gearbox on jack split from engine using a screwdriver or pry bar. At this stage you might need someone to hold the the gearbox from the top, or support it with a rope held up by a skyhook.
15 lower gearbox, releasing slack on rope and/or keeping the geerbox on the jack.

16 pull out from underneath car.
17 remove old clutch with an assistant holding a spanner on the front alternator pulley, to enable loostening of bolts.
18. Inspect flywheel to see if it needs refacing.
19 fit new plate and clover using an alligning tool. If not use a bit of sawn of broom handle rapped with tape if necessary.
20 reassembly is the reverse of the above

graham, June 2005