This way to remove the transmission was WAY easier then how I remember. When I worked at a Saturn dealership, The way I seen it removed was by "only" dropping the subframe. You obviously made it better this way
When just doing the clutch, I did it like this, but I had to replace a few transmissions and did the subframe removal. Really not that hard, they were pretty well designed.
Both ways on the Saturn are acceptable but the partial subframe drop can be faster...on a lift. On the ground with jack stands this version is much, much faster.
In a former life as a Honda Motorcycle mechanic, in 1978, they had a cam chain guide recall on all CX500's . Honda sent out a manual on replacing the cam chain guide and paid 4 hours for each recall. I read the manual, then looked at the first job and realized that Honda was going to make me a lot of money. Within 3 jobs I was down to 40 minutes. Making 4 hours pay in 40 minutes was GREAT. I think I did over 100 recalls that year, my best paid year as a bike mechanic. The moral of the story? The factory manuals are just a guide, often a hungry mechanic can do the job much quicker.
I am always amazed that any person can look in to an engine bay, and determine what needs to come out, in what order, and how to get that part out, in order to get at whatever broken part they need to, and then has the patience to do so. I look at an engine bay, say "nope", and try to call a garage.
It does look intimidating at first but let me tell you this: It only looks intimidating because you dont know what most of the stuff is. When you do learn what it is, you will know where it needs to be and what it all connects to, making it much, muuuuuch less complicated. Especially when you realise almost every car has the same stuff, just in different positions.
Love the mechanical repair vids. I've never had to do repairs on axles, steering racks, clutches, drive shafts, or rear diffs so I love finding content for that sort of thing. If you could buy a car with all of that wrong, I'd be in heaven! 😆
I used to race a 95 Saturn ace dohc 5 speed. We had that car HOOKED UP and made to turn left! We actually used a slightly bent subframe, had a manual transmission from a SOHC 5 speed Saturn because of the better gear ratio. Also we had swapped out the stock computer for a computer out of an automatic dohc Saturn to eliminate the rev limiter. That car was bad fast. I blew the trans the first year racing with it. The dif pin messed up. So when we found another trans, we had the dif pin welded and swapped out the original flywheel for an aluminum ome, and DAMN did that car come off the turns like a bat out of hell even in 2nd gear! When we replaced the trans we dropped the subframe and pulled it right out from the bottom of the car. We did it all just using jack stands in the garage lol. I can pull a motor or transmission in a Saturn with my eyes closed haha
Ah yes, the good old diff pin. Heard about it for nearly 20 years, never knew what exactly it was until Jared showed a diff on a recent Wrench Every Day.
Brings back memories for me. I think I sold more saturns than anything else when I had my car lot, which means I've done a LOT of repairs on them. I always targeted them and Cavaliers at auction.
One mechanic tip, next time you want to tap that CV shaft, keep the nut on the top of the threads and you'll be able to wack it with the hammer, those top threads tends bend and get junked if you smashed that with just a heavy mallet or hammer
*UUUUM YOU MIGHT want to check the Manufacturers specs for that car. One of my old girlfriends had a Saturn SC2 5 speed manual and i went off on the Saturn dealership because they charged her for ATF DexRON III and i was shown the shop manual that requires ATF not infact Gear Oil like most manual vehicles*
I had a co worker that had a similar era Saturn and had 500k miles. He only replaced the alternator and couple times and the same for the clutch. He said it was bulletproof and minimal repairs needed. It was a plus that it had plastic panels cause his red paint was immaculate and you could've never tell the mileage.
Yeah the plastic panels really keep them looking great as long as you don't have kids that scrape bikes against it, etc... 😥 Owner of a not immaculate black one... (Ok, I did back into the trailer once too)
One thing to keep in mind with these S series Saturns is the diff pin can work itself out and grenade transmissions. Especially if you have ‘spirited’ driving sessions. If the transmission is out and you can stomach welding it up. It’ll make it so the car will never have issues. A welded diff pin is a go to mod on manual Saturns. Makes the transmission rated for 450hp and can handle aggressive shifts. It’s the go too mod for any Saturn enthusiast for a manual and borderline requirement for an automatic transmission one.
Yep that happened! I see that all the time! Happened to a friend of mines MK1 Audi TT. He had a really bad habit of using the clutch as a brake and he would also have the car in gear at a stoplight which is an absolute nein! He learned a very expensive lesson from that one!
Awesome video as always, one small tip though - you can mushroom the end of the half shaft by beating directly on it, if you put the hub nut back on flush with the end of the half shaft (or even turn it around if you can if its that type so you have more to hit against) you can beat on it without damaging it. I was originally a mechanic in the rust belt and sometimes you have to really beat those to get them to unseat, more than enough to damage the half shaft.
I had an SC2 that I bought used. I drove the hell out of it and that drive train was as indestructible as any car I've ever owned. The problem was literally EVERYTHING else. The door locks all broke, the parking brake lever wouldn't stay up, the windows didn't roll up or down anymore, the radio didn't work. I could go on. But at one point the motor mounts failed so I replaced them. When I started the car back up with the new motor mounts I thought it wouldn't start because I couldn't hear the engine. It was running. Everything else was a dumpster fire, but that drive train was perfect.
That's the beauty of the S-series, cheap to buy, insure, operate, and way to easy to work on. I've had a dozen different models (SC2, SC1, SL, SL1, SL2, & SW2). I gifted each of my siblings one upon them reaching driving age and gave one to my mom when her Tahoe died. At one point there were 6 parked in her drive (if everyone went home at the same time, lol). I will always keep one for commuting. Currently have a 97SL2 5spd along with an 05 Suburban and 2002 Lexus RX300. Have had the Saturn for 10 years come this September. 191k on the odometer and still on the original clutch. Gets 35 mpg and insurance is less than $200 a year. Works great for my commute of around 60 miles per day.
Love the Saturn repair content, and I love how easy it is to work on them on the floor of my garage. I'm kind of jealous of yours: mine is 2002 SL2 manual but steel wheels and a little closer to beater status, in part due to being how I tow a trailer (and sometimes back into a trailer)
Boss just letting you know we are supposed to get blasted with snow up in Iowa 10to 14 inches or more . Itd supposed cut down your way before it head up towards the east coast
Absolutely do not put any other fluid than DEX-III. The synchro blockers have clutch material on them much like an auto trans, not brass. The material will separate and destroy the synchro blockers.
Check clutch slave cylinder too. Cheap part and throw out bearing as well. Your labor is already there ... just a thought. I did all LUK parts - OE - and gave me 150k so why not. A lot easier with a lift than off jack stands for sure.
The master-slave setup for the Saturn 1.9L really is a sealed unit and 100% exterior to the trans...preemptive replacement with the trans out gains noting. Reinstallation of the slave into the trans can be tricky the first 3-4 times you do it as it does not have the factory new retainer to keep the pushrod aimed right at the fork in the fully retracted position. Throw out bearing is a must.
I have owned a 2001 SL2 10th anniversary model, and a 2001 SC2 for many years. They are great cars! I'd drop in a brass coolant temp sensor for piece of mind as well but asides from that, get your new headlights in, fix exhaust, and drive it!
Can you still find those? (Are the brass aftermarket ok?) Back in the day I was told to only trust the brass one from the dealer. And I don't remember if I've done it on my current 2002.
@@rpavlik1 I had a brass coolant temp from the local auto parts place and no issues. It ran great for over 150kms with that sensor installed before I sold the car. I punched the cat out when it started acting up, blocked off the egr but left it connected still, and just had to do an occasional MMO treatment ot treated it with Zmax for carbon.
Honestly I remember growing up and people would trash Saturn for being well...trash. But as the years have gone on I've realized that they definitely deserved more praise than they got. I've been keeping my eye on an Ion Redline for a little while but haven't jumped on one yet because I want the used car market to cool/crash.
Having driven a 97 SC-1 it does not shock me the clutch failed. My car had just over a 100k when it got totaled and I constantly had issues going into 3rd gear on that car. Other than putting injectors in it was a bulletproof car.
Looks like you are diggin' that Cayenne. I have a '12 Touareg and can relate to the comfort and driving experience. GREAT SUV and the best parts hauler I ever owned!!
I’ve had 3 s-series in the past and loved em super durable. I currently own 2 96 SL2 5spd and a 96 SW2 great cars.. Should def hold on to it easy an cheap to work on and fun to drive..
2:03 O.O why wouldn't you thread the nut back on to do that. I get the tip is tapered away from the threads so you're not likely to mar them but with my luck I'd ruin the threads on the axel.
I had a 1956 Ford F-600 with a 4 speed trany, 2 speed read end. The clutch went, the rivets let loose. Band new clutch!! It took me and my bother about 4 hrs to change. I did most of the work. Hint, change everything if you have to replace a clutch. I didn't replace the throwout bearing and 2 weeks later, I was changing the throwout bearing. Now I do it all. Spline bearing or bushing as I seen both used. Clutch, pleasure plate and throwout bearing. I never going to trust used parts again.
I took the automatic transmission out of my 2000 SW2 through the drivers side wheel well. Those transmissions are nice to work on because they are so small.
I have one of those Ryobi sprayers. I use it to spray disinfectant, pesticide, flower nutrients and plain water. I wouldn't put anything solvent-based or paint in it, it'd be too thick and I'd be afraid the electrostatic part of the sprayer would turn it into a flamethrower.
Its crazy how difficult it is to change a clutch on these front wheel drive cars. My Citroen Xsara picasso is like this, you have to take half the engine bay and suspension apart to get to the clutch. But you can only do that if you have a lift. I dont, so when the time comes it will be off to the dealership. Gone are the days of rear wheel drive gearbox and clutch swaps laying on your back under the car with the car on jack stands. Took me on my own two hours to get a four speed out, change the clutch and put a five speed ZF back in.
Had an old SL1 did the clutch in my garage in about 4 hours. Those were so awesome to work on. Then some idiot made a u turn in front of me and I slid into them cause that no abs thing.
A few years back I bought a 2002 SL2 with an EXPLODED transmission. After installing a new transmission everything worked great….until I was 1000 miles from home when I couldn’t get the clutch to completely disengage. I then had to drive 1000 miles back home without being able to disengage the clutch. When I pulled it all apart I found that pieces of the front of the exploded transmission had become trapped in both the pressure plate and under the clutch fork right beside the pivot ball. In short the lesson learned…. Be absolutely certain that ALL debris has been removed from all clutch components before reassembly. BTW, the former owner had just installed a new clutch before the explosion of the transmission. Hopefully this will help someone 😎
It is simple - as long as you have a lift, a transmission jack, operating theater-grade lighting, and one of every Milwaukee power tool. On the ground, with hand tools, in the dark except for a shitty flashlight that won’t stay pointed at what you need to see, not so much.
My local UPS station has 23 employees. All but 6 went down with the VID in the last week or so. There's no local number to call and the station is just a warehouse with no local office and calling UPS corporate is for the insane. People are complaining that their tracking info says that their packages have been in town and "out for delivery" for over a week. This is after already taking sometimes months longer than expected just to get them to town. Fortunately I have nothing coming via them though lately USPS hasn't been much better. The more I look at it the more I like your Saturn. My sister had one for years and she drove the piss out of it. She has a nice Acura now but every once in a while she will say that she wishes she still had her Saturn.
I had a 2004 Saturn VUE purchased new. Had to get rid of it because of sub frame rust. The engine and transmission was still fine though. Boy I loved my Saturn VUE. Great cars.
Did you change the lighting in the shop or adjust the white balance in the camera? Everything looks brighter/bloomy and is much easier to see what you're doing now.
It's inexpensive, you're already there, and it doesn't take long to replace, why not throw in a new RMS? Adds value and how do you know it won't start leaking next wk?
Something to consider ... get some rolling tables or carts to place tools and parts so you're not squatting or bending over so much by putting things on the floor. Save your back.
Be careful putting a different fluid in then what is recommended by the OEM on these older model year cars. I had a 96 Formula that the previous owner put in synthetic and there was a problem with the seals not being compatible with synthetic fluids on those year models and all of the trans fluid leaked out of the front main in the trans and ruined the clutch.
@@tpsvegas2659 ah ok. Thanks for the clarification. I had a feeling it was the 3.5 that was the Honda engine. I was unaware they even had a 3.0L in them at one point, nor that it was a Jag engine. Cheers and thanks again for the info.
What happened to the skyline you've bought, done some repairs. Sorry, if I missed the update videos on the skyline been busy. Nice, I have a 1.9version yay but is decent mpg daily beater backup. The Saturn sc2 is famous the car was in the movie DEADPOOL at the beginning, very funny ironic cause I never knew at least the director didn't crushed it or blew up the saturn lol, but I also paid 700 for my sc2. My stepfather put 5,000 into he replace whole rear end rebuilt transmission, power steering rack and pump. I myself rebuilt cleaned throttle body replaced all sensors did fixed high idle improved driveable mpg, I replace the fuel filter this alone fixed the rough starting, and mpg. Then changed alternator and starter. Starter change is kinda pita but ain't bad. I've seen these sell for about 3,000 with somewhat high miles say 120,000 on odom
Those super clean lugnuts are probably just from those hubcaps that screw on, working at a tire ship every gm vehicle I worked on with those caps had pristine lug nuts compared to every other vehicle
@@titanicfilmsbymark actually take that back. Losing taste and smell was the worst because it lasted like 2 weeks. Still not the sickest I’ve ever been tho
@@titanicfilmsbymark I'm recovering right now and I had a migraine medication around and between that and some Tylenol cold and flu the headache was gone.
Would you possibly consider giving the car back to the owner since they just bought the car and the clutch went out I think its really shitty it happened to them that way but possibly consider giving the car back for what you paid for it and donate the clutch and labor and anything else you do sometimes its really awesome to pay it forward when you can
Know about parts supply/delivery problems ALL too well. We’ve been waiting for a nitrous oxide sensor for my 2017 diesel Cruze since August!! Fun times in Fixinit-land. ;-)
I just pulled the the trnny out of a 1998 SC2 and there was no pilot bushing or bearing in the end of the crankshaft? Was this Saturn the same way? Did you have a pilot bushing and replaced it? It was not mentioned in the video.
Easiest clutch I have ever done!!! Can do 1 in 4 hours at home on the ground. Always separated ball joint from spindle. Best cars ever. SO easy to work on. Synchromesh is best. Everything else is trash
You made so much extra work for yourself, wheelwell liners DO NOT need to come out. The right side axel assembly doesnt need to come out either. You are missing a bracket for the lower bell housing bolts (should be 6 bell bolts) And the trans will not come out the top. As for trans fluid, use nothing better than dexron III, dexron VI is too thin and you will be blowing diff pins. I can have a saturn trans out and back in in about 3 hours, on the ground and ready to roll.
I wonder if that happened because of grease flung out from the input shaft. My Saturn shudders really bad when you take off on 1st gear after an hour of driving.
Your oil leak may be due to a bad Cat. I found my SL1 had poor power because the CAT was clogged and was causing back pressure which leads to increased pressure in the crank case.
Well he did only pay $700 for the car, is making YT content out of it of which he will more than likely make that $700 back, and then some, parts don't seem to be that expensive, and when he's done will be able to flip it for a few grand. Plus someone else is still getting a deal in the current car market, not having to pay a normal mechanic to do all the work he's doing, so with all that, I'd say it's well worth the work.
@@CommodoreFan64 For you tube and to just say you did it I totally agree but for any other reason I would have to pass. Didn't want to get into a debate about it, just a comment/opinion.
I guess that I don’t understand why he replaced the flywheel? 🤷♂️ It just needs resurfacing, like turning rotors. The only thing I would have done differently? Separate the lower ball joint instead of unbolting the strut. That way you don’t risk the alignment.
Glad you are feeling better. You sound like you are getting winded easily. Get checked out and have a spirometry test to check lung function. Covid can be bad stuff. Hopefully it's just lingering effects of the virus. I have some experience with respiratory therapy.....
Hope you are feeling better, looking more energetic, better color (must have touchup while in wardrobe and makeup). Not doing the one-handed filming must be that guy from The Government. Why not the compressor/air tool setup? Driving the Cayenne and not the F250?
There is a Saturn near me in that green they all came in except this one is badly torn up from the sun. The front bumper was black that they painted green, but that paint is literally sagging off the bumper. Window tint bubbled everywhere. They want $3000 for it. They also have a red SN95 convertible Mustang GT with horrible faded paint, red interior that is also faded and torn (cloth) and the top is faded and ripped. $2900. They've had them for sale for over 8 months. I told him nobody will buy them for that much money and he told me that he looks on Autotempest and sees how much they are going for and he knows they need '$500' paint jobs, so he prices them $500 below the average price. Then he told me you just got a Saturn and that will raise demand for his. I said yeah I know I watchnthe channel every day, his is way nicer than yours and he didn't see it. Just needs paint he says. Like wow!
JR, did you say that the process was pretty simple ? Looked long and arduous to me, but I guess everything is relative to one’s skill level ! Apparently, yours is above mine and probably many of ours. Let us know about that Ryobi tool .
Compared to some other repairs, there was no parts that were hard to reach, hard to remove, hidden behind the intake, etc. It's not changing the oil, definitely has a few steps, but it's not as bad as it could be. (Compare to Samcrac doing a similar job on the Aston Martin and you'll see the difference). The lift and the editing sure makes it look easier, but it didn't look that much harder than changing the transmission mounts, which I have done in my garage, no lift, in the winter iirc.
I had a 2000 sl2 (4door) and I swear I had ABS. Cause in the winter the thing go brrrrrr. Strange your's didn't have ABS. all I know is the 1.8L needs oil every time you put gas in it lol . It's a Saturn thing.
every time he points at the camera at the end of his video and it goes out of focus, i imagine there are people screaming at the video. that makes me laugh.
This way to remove the transmission was WAY easier then how I remember. When I worked at a Saturn dealership, The way I seen it removed was by "only" dropping the subframe. You obviously made it better this way
When just doing the clutch, I did it like this, but I had to replace a few transmissions and did the subframe removal. Really not that hard, they were pretty well designed.
Both ways on the Saturn are acceptable but the partial subframe drop can be faster...on a lift. On the ground with jack stands this version is much, much faster.
In a former life as a Honda Motorcycle mechanic, in 1978, they had a cam chain guide recall on all CX500's . Honda sent out a manual on replacing the cam chain guide and paid 4 hours for each recall. I read the manual, then looked at the first job and realized that Honda was going to make me a lot of money. Within 3 jobs I was down to 40 minutes. Making 4 hours pay in 40 minutes was GREAT. I think I did over 100 recalls that year, my best paid year as a bike mechanic. The moral of the story? The factory manuals are just a guide, often a hungry mechanic can do the job much quicker.
This helped me and my son replace the clutch in his 2000 Saturn SL1. Thank you for helping us keep his 100hp high school hot rod on the road!
I am always amazed that any person can look in to an engine bay, and determine what needs to come out, in what order, and how to get that part out, in order to get at whatever broken part they need to, and then has the patience to do so. I look at an engine bay, say "nope", and try to call a garage.
It does look intimidating at first but let me tell you this:
It only looks intimidating because you dont know what most of the stuff is. When you do learn what it is, you will know where it needs to be and what it all connects to, making it much, muuuuuch less complicated.
Especially when you realise almost every car has the same stuff, just in different positions.
The Saturn S-series is a good car to start with. Dead simple.
Love the mechanical repair vids. I've never had to do repairs on axles, steering racks, clutches, drive shafts, or rear diffs so I love finding content for that sort of thing. If you could buy a car with all of that wrong, I'd be in heaven! 😆
Agreed . Awesome content. Useful
Said no Jeep Owner ever lol
Hope he fixes the rolls royce in 2022
I used to race a 95 Saturn ace dohc 5 speed. We had that car HOOKED UP and made to turn left! We actually used a slightly bent subframe, had a manual transmission from a SOHC 5 speed Saturn because of the better gear ratio. Also we had swapped out the stock computer for a computer out of an automatic dohc Saturn to eliminate the rev limiter. That car was bad fast. I blew the trans the first year racing with it. The dif pin messed up. So when we found another trans, we had the dif pin welded and swapped out the original flywheel for an aluminum ome, and DAMN did that car come off the turns like a bat out of hell even in 2nd gear! When we replaced the trans we dropped the subframe and pulled it right out from the bottom of the car. We did it all just using jack stands in the garage lol. I can pull a motor or transmission in a Saturn with my eyes closed haha
Were you racing it on ovals, Neal?
Ah yes, the good old diff pin. Heard about it for nearly 20 years, never knew what exactly it was until Jared showed a diff on a recent Wrench Every Day.
My 1994 SL1 tbi has extremely short gears. I have a hill climb video of it lol
Brings back memories for me. I think I sold more saturns than anything else when I had my car lot, which means I've done a LOT of repairs on them. I always targeted them and Cavaliers at auction.
Your camera is fantastic! The detail and lighting during the removal was perfect! Really enjoyed this video!
I'm guessing he probably had 100 Percent Jake on the camera for this one, to get that good of video and the handheld feel of some shots.
Saturn's are pretty good, I mean my old man's 02 Vue lasted us 10 years before it gave out. Got like 250k miles on it before we donated it.
I bet this car is ready for another 100k, they're solid cars! 🍻
One mechanic tip, next time you want to tap that CV shaft, keep the nut on the top of the threads and you'll be able to wack it with the hammer, those top threads tends bend and get junked if you smashed that with just a heavy mallet or hammer
Yeah. I cringed a bit when he did that.
@@delano62 This is why I use brass hammers.
@@wrenchesinmotion3282 Lead hammers are found in the machine shop to do that kind of thing, I just about died when he did that.
@@garys9694 I may have ruined an axle in my early days.
*UUUUM YOU MIGHT want to check the Manufacturers specs for that car. One of my old girlfriends had a Saturn SC2 5 speed manual and i went off on the Saturn dealership because they charged her for ATF DexRON III and i was shown the shop manual that requires ATF not infact Gear Oil like most manual vehicles*
I had a few of the Saturn wagons years ago. SW2's with manual transmissions. They were great cars.
I had a co worker that had a similar era Saturn and had 500k miles. He only replaced the alternator and couple times and the same for the clutch. He said it was bulletproof and minimal repairs needed. It was a plus that it had plastic panels cause his red paint was immaculate and you could've never tell the mileage.
Yeah the plastic panels really keep them looking great as long as you don't have kids that scrape bikes against it, etc... 😥 Owner of a not immaculate black one... (Ok, I did back into the trailer once too)
Saturn is a great car!
I had a 1993 Saturn SL2 I loved that car very good on gas and it never left me stranded 😎👍
These SC2 cars are great. I was waiting for you to do this vid of replacing the clutch on the SC2
One thing to keep in mind with these S series Saturns is the diff pin can work itself out and grenade transmissions. Especially if you have ‘spirited’ driving sessions.
If the transmission is out and you can stomach welding it up. It’ll make it so the car will never have issues. A welded diff pin is a go to mod on manual Saturns. Makes the transmission rated for 450hp and can handle aggressive shifts. It’s the go too mod for any Saturn enthusiast for a manual and borderline requirement for an automatic transmission one.
Thanks for the reminder. I couldn't remember if my upgrade to a manual saved me from that problem or just the reverse slam.
Yep that happened! I see that all the time! Happened to a friend of mines MK1 Audi TT. He had a really bad habit of using the clutch as a brake and he would also have the car in gear at a stoplight which is an absolute nein! He learned a very expensive lesson from that one!
Awesome video as always, one small tip though - you can mushroom the end of the half shaft by beating directly on it, if you put the hub nut back on flush with the end of the half shaft (or even turn it around if you can if its that type so you have more to hit against) you can beat on it without damaging it. I was originally a mechanic in the rust belt and sometimes you have to really beat those to get them to unseat, more than enough to damage the half shaft.
I had an SC2 that I bought used. I drove the hell out of it and that drive train was as indestructible as any car I've ever owned. The problem was literally EVERYTHING else. The door locks all broke, the parking brake lever wouldn't stay up, the windows didn't roll up or down anymore, the radio didn't work. I could go on. But at one point the motor mounts failed so I replaced them. When I started the car back up with the new motor mounts I thought it wouldn't start because I couldn't hear the engine. It was running. Everything else was a dumpster fire, but that drive train was perfect.
GM captured the essence of cheap imports perfectly.
@@zoomer2965 just a little too perfectly
That's the beauty of the S-series, cheap to buy, insure, operate, and way to easy to work on. I've had a dozen different models (SC2, SC1, SL, SL1, SL2, & SW2). I gifted each of my siblings one upon them reaching driving age and gave one to my mom when her Tahoe died. At one point there were 6 parked in her drive (if everyone went home at the same time, lol). I will always keep one for commuting. Currently have a 97SL2 5spd along with an 05 Suburban and 2002 Lexus RX300. Have had the Saturn for 10 years come this September. 191k on the odometer and still on the original clutch. Gets 35 mpg and insurance is less than $200 a year. Works great for my commute of around 60 miles per day.
Love the Saturn repair content, and I love how easy it is to work on them on the floor of my garage. I'm kind of jealous of yours: mine is 2002 SL2 manual but steel wheels and a little closer to beater status, in part due to being how I tow a trailer (and sometimes back into a trailer)
Boss just letting you know we are supposed to get blasted with snow up in Iowa 10to 14 inches or more . Itd supposed cut down your way before it head up towards the east coast
Hitting the end of the axle with a big metal hammer, how to screw up the thread on the end , 😂😂👍
Absolutely do not put any other fluid than DEX-III. The synchro blockers have clutch material on them much like an auto trans, not brass. The material will separate and destroy the synchro blockers.
Check clutch slave cylinder too. Cheap part and throw out bearing as well. Your labor is already there ... just a thought. I did all LUK parts - OE - and gave me 150k so why not. A lot easier with a lift than off jack stands for sure.
The master-slave setup for the Saturn 1.9L really is a sealed unit and 100% exterior to the trans...preemptive replacement with the trans out gains noting. Reinstallation of the slave into the trans can be tricky the first 3-4 times you do it as it does not have the factory new retainer to keep the pushrod aimed right at the fork in the fully retracted position. Throw out bearing is a must.
I have owned a 2001 SL2 10th anniversary model, and a 2001 SC2 for many years. They are great cars! I'd drop in a brass coolant temp sensor for piece of mind as well but asides from that, get your new headlights in, fix exhaust, and drive it!
Can you still find those? (Are the brass aftermarket ok?) Back in the day I was told to only trust the brass one from the dealer. And I don't remember if I've done it on my current 2002.
@@rpavlik1 I had a brass coolant temp from the local auto parts place and no issues. It ran great for over 150kms with that sensor installed before I sold the car. I punched the cat out when it started acting up, blocked off the egr but left it connected still, and just had to do an occasional MMO treatment ot treated it with Zmax for carbon.
Honestly I remember growing up and people would trash Saturn for being well...trash. But as the years have gone on I've realized that they definitely deserved more praise than they got. I've been keeping my eye on an Ion Redline for a little while but haven't jumped on one yet because I want the used car market to cool/crash.
I mean, it's no S Series, but it still sounds fun
Having driven a 97 SC-1 it does not shock me the clutch failed. My car had just over a 100k when it got totaled and I constantly had issues going into 3rd gear on that car. Other than putting injectors in it was a bulletproof car.
You always do a great job you treat them with love
Looks like you are diggin' that Cayenne. I have a '12 Touareg and can relate to the comfort and driving experience. GREAT SUV and the best parts hauler I ever owned!!
I’ve had 3 s-series in the past and loved em super durable. I currently own 2 96 SL2 5spd and a 96 SW2 great cars.. Should def hold on to it easy an cheap to work on and fun to drive..
Last clutch I did was a 64 F100. 6 cyl, 3 speed column shift. Took about an hour and a half.
I had a clutch that failed the same as this one. Unfortunately mine launched one of the broken parts through the gearbox wall causing a lot of damage.
2:03 O.O why wouldn't you thread the nut back on to do that. I get the tip is tapered away from the threads so you're not likely to mar them but with my luck I'd ruin the threads on the axel.
I had a 1956 Ford F-600 with a 4 speed trany, 2 speed read end. The clutch went, the rivets let loose. Band new clutch!! It took me and my bother about 4 hrs to change. I did most of the work. Hint, change everything if you have to replace a clutch. I didn't replace the throwout bearing and 2 weeks later, I was changing the throwout bearing. Now I do it all. Spline bearing or bushing as I seen both used. Clutch, pleasure plate and throwout bearing. I never going to trust used parts again.
I took the automatic transmission out of my 2000 SW2 through the drivers side wheel well. Those transmissions are nice to work on because they are so small.
Since you're already that far, it would be a no brainer to change the rear oil seal.
i dont know what it is about your videos. but i have to watch every single one.
Very educational. Wish you were my mechanic. Thanks for sharing! One of the best UA-cam channels for sure!
I have one of those Ryobi sprayers. I use it to spray disinfectant, pesticide, flower nutrients and plain water. I wouldn't put anything solvent-based or paint in it, it'd be too thick and I'd be afraid the electrostatic part of the sprayer would turn it into a flamethrower.
Lol xD but that would be cool
Its crazy how difficult it is to change a clutch on these front wheel drive cars. My Citroen Xsara picasso is like this, you have to take half the engine bay and suspension apart to get to the clutch. But you can only do that if you have a lift. I dont, so when the time comes it will be off to the dealership. Gone are the days of rear wheel drive gearbox and clutch swaps laying on your back under the car with the car on jack stands. Took me on my own two hours to get a four speed out, change the clutch and put a five speed ZF back in.
congrats on 1/3 of a mill subs bub! great vids and content I can see why..
Had an old SL1 did the clutch in my garage in about 4 hours. Those were so awesome to work on. Then some idiot made a u turn in front of me and I slid into them cause that no abs thing.
A few years back I bought a 2002 SL2 with an EXPLODED transmission. After installing a new transmission everything worked great….until I was 1000 miles from home when I couldn’t get the clutch to completely disengage. I then had to drive 1000 miles back home without being able to disengage the clutch.
When I pulled it all apart I found that pieces of the front of the exploded transmission had become trapped in both the pressure plate and under the clutch fork right beside the pivot ball.
In short the lesson learned…. Be absolutely certain that ALL debris has been removed from all clutch components before reassembly.
BTW, the former owner had just installed a new clutch before the explosion of the transmission.
Hopefully this will help someone 😎
Another example of how JR describes something as simple....would you ever in your life take on a project like this?
It is simple - as long as you have a lift, a transmission jack, operating theater-grade lighting, and one of every Milwaukee power tool. On the ground, with hand tools, in the dark except for a shitty flashlight that won’t stay pointed at what you need to see, not so much.
@@andrewthomason3857 exactly. There's not much I wouldn't tackle if I at least had a hoist/lift. Makes it so much easier.
On a Saturn S-series? Sure.
My local UPS station has 23 employees. All but 6 went down with the VID in the last week or so. There's no local number to call and the station is just a warehouse with no local office and calling UPS corporate is for the insane. People are complaining that their tracking info says that their packages have been in town and "out for delivery" for over a week. This is after already taking sometimes months longer than expected just to get them to town. Fortunately I have nothing coming via them though lately USPS hasn't been much better.
The more I look at it the more I like your Saturn. My sister had one for years and she drove the piss out of it. She has a nice Acura now but every once in a while she will say that she wishes she still had her Saturn.
I had a 2004 Saturn VUE purchased new. Had to get rid of it because of sub frame rust. The engine and transmission was still fine though.
Boy I loved my Saturn VUE.
Great cars.
Did you change the lighting in the shop or adjust the white balance in the camera?
Everything looks brighter/bloomy and is much easier to see what you're doing now.
Whoever Ben Wrenchin actually is, he or she is the MVP, gave a decent tool away instead of selling it, and didn't disturb John whilst he was filming.
It's inexpensive, you're already there, and it doesn't take long to replace, why not throw in a new RMS? Adds value and how do you know it won't start leaking next wk?
Something to consider ... get some rolling tables or carts to place tools and parts so you're not squatting or bending over so much by putting things on the floor. Save your back.
Be careful putting a different fluid in then what is recommended by the OEM on these older model year cars. I had a 96 Formula that the previous owner put in synthetic and there was a problem with the seals not being compatible with synthetic fluids on those year models and all of the trans fluid leaked out of the front main in the trans and ruined the clutch.
Did I hear right “been wrenching?” Lol. That’s great.
Let’s gooo another JR vid.
Err day! 🍻
I love these older saturns! I daily drive a 2003 Vue with the 3.0l v6 and it’s AWESOME you should pick one up to flip for the channel
The vue has a Honda engine in it I believe.
@@derekgardin1512 honda freak here can confirm honda j30a2 v6 covered in gm Delphi electronics and stuffed with copper plugs
@@derekgardin1512 2004-2007 got the 3.5l honda motor, 2001-2003 got the 3.0v6 I believe it’s a jaguar motor
@@tpsvegas2659 ah ok. Thanks for the clarification. I had a feeling it was the 3.5 that was the Honda engine. I was unaware they even had a 3.0L in them at one point, nor that it was a Jag engine. Cheers and thanks again for the info.
Hi John
How can an IT guy like you know so much about cars, and several different even. I am impressed. Great video - Thx 👍
Has dad works on all kinds of mechanical stuff, John must have paid attention growing up and worked with his dad on stuff.
The decal on JR's storm door. 🤣🤣🤣
What happened to the skyline you've bought, done some repairs. Sorry, if I missed the update videos on the skyline been busy.
Nice, I have a 1.9version yay but is decent mpg daily beater backup.
The Saturn sc2 is famous the car was in the movie DEADPOOL at the beginning, very funny ironic cause I never knew at least the director didn't crushed it or blew up the saturn lol, but I also paid 700 for my sc2.
My stepfather put 5,000 into he replace whole rear end rebuilt transmission, power steering rack and pump.
I myself rebuilt cleaned throttle body replaced all sensors did fixed high idle improved driveable mpg, I replace the fuel filter this alone fixed the rough starting, and mpg. Then changed alternator and starter.
Starter change is kinda pita but ain't bad.
I've seen these sell for about 3,000 with somewhat high miles say 120,000 on odom
Those super clean lugnuts are probably just from those hubcaps that screw on, working at a tire ship every gm vehicle I worked on with those caps had pristine lug nuts compared to every other vehicle
You seem to have recovered well from covid! Any residual symptoms??
Sinuses are killing me... other than that all good 🍻
@@WatchJRGo I had a horrible headache from covid. Glad to hear that you are doing better.
@@titanicfilmsbymark same. Headache was the worst part. And tired for about a week. Honestly wasn’t that bad
@@titanicfilmsbymark actually take that back. Losing taste and smell was the worst because it lasted like 2 weeks. Still not the sickest I’ve ever been tho
@@titanicfilmsbymark I'm recovering right now and I had a migraine medication around and between that and some Tylenol cold and flu the headache was gone.
My friend’s dad worked for GM and gave him one of those Saturns brand new. It was a really cool car.
The old school Luda reference did not go unnoticed....
Enjoy my daily dose of JR before work.
The RYOBI electrostatic sprayer is used to spray disinfectants, cleaning solutions, and deodorizers. Not paint.
I've looked at a number of double DIN radio installs videos for my BMW. Every one of them didn't show what they used to remove that plastic cross bar.
4:33 nice exhaust!
You need a couple of rolling carts like The Wizard. A place to put parts and tools while doing a repair.
Would you possibly consider giving the car back to the owner since they just bought the car and the clutch went out I think its really shitty it happened to them that way but possibly consider giving the car back for what you paid for it and donate the clutch and labor and anything else you do sometimes its really awesome to pay it forward when you can
I run Redline MTL in all my 5 speed cars, they love it.
I have a 98 SW i need to pull my clutch out of. This is helpful...
Know about parts supply/delivery problems ALL too well. We’ve been waiting for a nitrous oxide sensor for my 2017 diesel Cruze since August!! Fun times in Fixinit-land. ;-)
Electrostatic sprayer, likely courtesy of Direct Tools Outlet. They seem to throw one in free with every order.
I just pulled the the trnny out of a 1998 SC2 and there was no pilot bushing or bearing in the end of the crankshaft? Was this Saturn the same way? Did you have a pilot bushing and replaced it? It was not mentioned in the video.
Weld the diff pins
Easiest clutch I have ever done!!! Can do 1 in 4 hours at home on the ground. Always separated ball joint from spindle. Best cars ever. SO easy to work on. Synchromesh is best. Everything else is trash
It is amazing to see how this car is built. Definitely the most japanese american car!
that was some fast auto-focus.
You made so much extra work for yourself, wheelwell liners DO NOT need to come out. The right side axel assembly doesnt need to come out either. You are missing a bracket for the lower bell housing bolts (should be 6 bell bolts) And the trans will not come out the top. As for trans fluid, use nothing better than dexron III, dexron VI is too thin and you will be blowing diff pins. I can have a saturn trans out and back in in about 3 hours, on the ground and ready to roll.
My saturn sc2 2002 when the days are hot loses a lot of power someone could tell me if they have had this fault
I wonder if that happened because of grease flung out from the input shaft.
My Saturn shudders really bad when you take off on 1st gear after an hour of driving.
Haircut looks good brother
Like the new vid style/camera angles
Your oil leak may be due to a bad Cat. I found my SL1 had poor power because the CAT was clogged and was causing back pressure which leads to increased pressure in the crank case.
Always late ⏰ but always watching your videos
Have you seen the guy in England that does clutches along side the road. ( Mobil repair) Way more work than this boy would want to do.
Thats a lot of work Just for a Saturn, but hey more power to you man. I hope its worth it for you. Thank you
Well he did only pay $700 for the car, is making YT content out of it of which he will more than likely make that $700 back, and then some, parts don't seem to be that expensive, and when he's done will be able to flip it for a few grand. Plus someone else is still getting a deal in the current car market, not having to pay a normal mechanic to do all the work he's doing, so with all that, I'd say it's well worth the work.
This is a lot of work? Seriously? Looks like minor stuff to me.
Fair assumption, but you've gotta' drive one of these things and give it a good, proper thrashing.
@@wrenchesinmotion3282 for a Saturn ???
@@CommodoreFan64 For you tube and to just say you did it I totally agree but for any other reason I would have to pass. Didn't want to get into a debate about it, just a comment/opinion.
I guess that I don’t understand why he replaced the flywheel? 🤷♂️
It just needs resurfacing, like turning rotors.
The only thing I would have done differently? Separate the lower ball joint instead of unbolting the strut. That way you don’t risk the alignment.
And also put a new rear main seal in anyway. They’re cheap, may as well why you’re in there.
Flywheels on Saturn's have a step in them. They can be resurfaced but I had a shop decline to do it. Maybe he had the same issue?
@@froggy0162 under the circumstances I wouldn’t. He’s not going to keep the car.
@@ToolsOutsideTheBox Not sure thats a justification for doing a half arsed job...
JR probably already ordered the parts when he got the car, so why not put them in if you already have them?
Glad you are feeling better. You sound like you are getting winded easily. Get checked out and have a spirometry test to check lung function. Covid can be bad stuff. Hopefully it's just lingering effects of the virus. I have some experience with respiratory therapy.....
Can you show me how to pull a trans in 15 mins plz? Asking for a friend!
Remove all bolts, run... putting it back in might be tricky, your call 😛
@@WatchJRGo I’ll give that a try on my Mustang 😂
Hope you are feeling better, looking more energetic, better color (must have touchup while in wardrobe and makeup). Not doing the one-handed filming must be that guy from The Government. Why not the compressor/air tool setup? Driving the Cayenne and not the F250?
There is a Saturn near me in that green they all came in except this one is badly torn up from the sun. The front bumper was black that they painted green, but that paint is literally sagging off the bumper. Window tint bubbled everywhere. They want $3000 for it. They also have a red SN95 convertible Mustang GT with horrible faded paint, red interior that is also faded and torn (cloth) and the top is faded and ripped. $2900. They've had them for sale for over 8 months. I told him nobody will buy them for that much money and he told me that he looks on Autotempest and sees how much they are going for and he knows they need '$500' paint jobs, so he prices them $500 below the average price. Then he told me you just got a Saturn and that will raise demand for his. I said yeah I know I watchnthe channel every day, his is way nicer than yours and he didn't see it. Just needs paint he says. Like wow!
JR, did you say that the process was pretty simple ? Looked long and arduous to me, but I guess everything is relative to one’s skill level ! Apparently, yours is above mine and probably many of ours. Let us know about that Ryobi tool .
Compared to some other repairs, there was no parts that were hard to reach, hard to remove, hidden behind the intake, etc. It's not changing the oil, definitely has a few steps, but it's not as bad as it could be. (Compare to Samcrac doing a similar job on the Aston Martin and you'll see the difference). The lift and the editing sure makes it look easier, but it didn't look that much harder than changing the transmission mounts, which I have done in my garage, no lift, in the winter iirc.
So how was this clutch installed improperly that it broke apart like that?
Rough usage will destroy, some people just cant get used to manual trans
Nice! You may want to look for a better than oem disc.
so, if this failed like my SC2, its the slave that is dying, not the clutch. clutch is perfectly fine.
Rolls Smoke! Rolls Smoke! Rolls Smoke!
Show to use the free tool on the shop renovation!
You made it look too easy, your back must be better now. 😉
I had a 2000 sl2 (4door) and I swear I had ABS. Cause in the winter the thing go brrrrrr. Strange your's didn't have ABS. all I know is the 1.8L needs oil every time you put gas in it lol . It's a Saturn thing.
Very interesting teardown BUT ...... what's going on with the Tug?
every time he points at the camera at the end of his video and it goes out of focus, i imagine there are people screaming at the video. that makes me laugh.
Check the release bearing the tabs are plastic and break replace the entire master and slave assembly