wich way should i put new clutch in?

[97sl2fast]

i heard a few different things on which way to change the clutch. which way would be the best? a local shop said to pull the motor from the top and do it that way. i looked a lil bit for a thread to see how others on here did it but couldnt find anything. i dont have a lift so i would be doing it on my garage floor. i never worked in a subaru befor so idk even where to start. if i pull it apart i can put it back together though.

[Airgne]

its easy. i did a DIY on it. jack all 4 corners up(level). remove exhaust. remove driveshaft. remove transmission. remove and replace clutch. you will have to jack up the front of the engine to get the tranny back in.

[02_Legacy]

In my opinion I would pull the engine, but that is just becuase I hate working on my back. I pulled the engine when I did my clutch becuase like you I didn't have access to a hoist, and I didn't have access to a transmission jack but I did have access to a cherry picker. I had absolutly no problem pulling the motor, and if I had to I would do it the same way again.

[StatGSR]

IMHO its always going to be much easier to pull the engine in a NA subaru than it will be to drop the trans. after the first time, its something that can be done (out and back in) in just a few hours.

now in a turbo subaru, it may be debatable as there is just more crap that has to be removed prior to being able to pull the engine. but again, i would probably pull the engine before dropping the trans.

[97sl2fast]

i was told it could be done in 3 hours. ik i most likely wont do it in 3 hours but i only work 4 days a week and have plenty of time. i am leaning more tward pulling the motor so i can clean it all up while its out plus replace any rough looking mounts. i in no hurry to get it going its some what of a side project. so if i run in to any broken mounts or anything no big deal to wait and get new parts. also should i maybe do head gaskets while its all apart? the car has 200kmi. or should i just wait until im sure its goin to need them and do it then?

[Airgne]

if the engine is out, i ould do the headgaskets. also some cams

[anothernord]

Pull the engine. I'm glad I did it this way. Less strain on your body, and it allows you to take your time,

[decke48]

pull the engine if you have no lift. if you do i find pulling the trans easier.

[Grafton]

i've going both routes pulling the engine is way easier

[97sl2fast]

if i do the head gaskets i should do timing belt as well correct? i was told i had to change water pump too? i dont see why but thats what the shop told me

[anothernord]

You have to take the T-belt off to even get the heads off. So yes. And you might as well change the water pump.

[97sl2fast]

looks like i need to call up the crew and grab some beers! mite as well pull it apart even though clutch and fly wheel will probably need to be in ordered.... should make sure the car even runs first

[ouch1011]

Pulling a trans on your back sucks. Pulling an auto trans on your back really sucks. If I ever have to replace the clutch my 98 before I swap to a 6MT, I'll pull the engine. On my 06, I might have to think about it a bit longer, but I'd still probably pull the engine.

[Grafton]

The only way I'd go the pull transmission is if i had a lift and one of those awesome transmission jacks meant to work with a lift, even then I'd think it's suck