noob questions - clutch and brakes

[kunar]

well my g/f just got a 99 zx2, mtx, with just under 100k miles. since she's had it, we have done front and rear wheel bearings (they sounded like garbage, the car sat for 2 years before she got it) spark plugs, oil change, pcv valve, fuel filter, most of the usual 'new car tune up' type stuff. anyways, when i did the rear hubs, i noticed that the rear brakes (drums, non abs) will need shoes and hardware soon. i've done drums before but the little spring clips that hold these together are different than i have seen. how do you get these apart? any special tool? is there anything else i need to know when i do drums? i have shoes for it and a hardware kit, theres probably adjusters i should do too? ill have the drums turned when i do this too. also, its pretty obvious that the transmission has been replaced with a junkyard trans from a '98 escort (i think) is this the same trans? the clutch feels really funny, i wonder if it still needs bled. the clutch will engage with the pedal coming just off the floor. it makes it pretty easy to grind gears. i dont have any problems driving stick, both of my trucks are 5 speeds, but the clutch engagement point is about half way through clutch pedal travel. thanks, and sorry for the long winded post.

[ZX2Fast]

Send me an Auto Zone gift card to buy the parts and I'll write a how-to for you to follow with pictures.

[kunar]

Send me an Auto Zone gift card to buy the parts and I'll write a how-to for you to follow with pictures.

but i've already got the parts... :goofy:

[99S/R]

Bleed the clutch, check for leaking master & slave.

Bill

[ZX2Fast]

But I don't. I need them.

[iceracer]

Adjust the clutch pedal,that may help.
The ' 98 had some slightly different gear ratios, other wise the same.
A service manual wil tell you exactly how to do the brakes as well as the clutch pedal.

[kunar]

okay, thanks guys. i found a thread late last night that covered the clutch issue but i havent had a chance to look at the car. i havent tried to bleed the hydraulics, but i did check the fluid. it was dark, but not low. i was a little suprised to see it shares a reservoir with the brakes... but anyways, i checked for leaks and didnt see anything noticeable. i have to assume it was never adjusted when the transmission was replaced. i just hope they did a clutch at the same time. i should be able to do the brakes this weekend.

[ZX2Fast]

I find the best and quickest way to bleed the hydrolic system is with a vaccum pump. You can rent one at Auto Zone if you don't want to buy one.

[kunar]

I find the best and quickest way to bleed the hydrolic system is with a vaccum pump. You can rent one at Auto Zone if you don't want to buy one.

i havent tried it on the zx2 but on the rangers, the clutches are notorious for being the biggest PITA to bleed. a pressure bleeder is an amazing thing when you are bleeding a clutch. it attaches at the top of the reservoir and forces fluid into the system under pressure (~10 psi) crack open the bleeder and fluid pours out. i crawled under the dash and found what i think are the 2 places to adjust according to this (http://teamzx2.com/showthread.php?t=3023) thread, but it started storming so it will have to wait till later. this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motive-Brake-Clutch-Pressure-Bleeder-0250_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43998QQihZ018QQite mZ280233787687QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW) is the bleeder i was talking about, works great on brakes too. anybody here use one?