Going by the book

As I prepare for my clutch/flywheel/slave cylinder/starter motor replacement, the pile of items recommended for replacement, as well as the number of special tools required to do so, seems a bit daunting. Not to mention, expensive.

Example: I bought the subframe alignment pins off of ebay, since I plan to remove the crossmember. This pair of bullet-shaped pins with a cotter pin running through them were $80. Used!

The recommended manual transmission fluid was $21/quart, and it it required two quarts. That's getting into sipping whisky money. I have heard of others using cheaper fluid from Amsoil or Redline, but reports were mixed about how well it shifted with the aftermarket fluid.

How do you determine which bolts and seals you replace? Which tools to buy? When do you follow exactly as the manufacturer recommends, and when do you wing it?

Edit: I just realized that I posted this in off-topic. Can it be moved to the GRM forum?

what car are you working on?

It's a 2003 SVT Focus.

As an aside, anyone looking for parts should also look at Amazon. LuK sells a kit with the flywheel, friction disc, pressure plate, and slave cylinder. Clutch City Online (who one of my usual Ford dealers recommended) was asking $495; Amazon had it for $330.

Not sure why you need those alignment pins. Aren't there some on the frame ? Escorts have them. Be sure you have a clutch alignment tool. Replace the axle seals is probably a good idea, check the main shaft seal. Amsoil Synchromesh works great.

Supposedly the rear subframe on the Focus has pins embedded, but the front does not. The LuK kit comes with a clutch alignment tool; one less thing to buy!