Hey guys, recently became an owner of used RX8. Last owner seemed to follow the startup rules when it came to maintaining the vehicle, but ignored almost everything else.

Anyhow, recently ran into a dragging clutch problem and instead of taking it in, I decided to maintenance the tranny myself. Admittedly, this was my first clutch job, but I'm pretty experienced and a quick learner otherwise.

Turns out my TOB was completely demolished, fell onto the floor and into literal pieces as I dropped the tranny. But onto my real question

Exactly how hard and how long should I be wailing on the flywheel?!? I got the nut off no problem with an impact. But this flywheel seems determined to remain mated to the engine. I put a piece of wood against the flywheel and have been banging on it to no end. I don't think it's because I'm not strong enough. I mean the 2x4 is now half its original thickness around the impact area and the floor is littered with wood chips from me wailing on it.

Thing just doesn't wanna pop off! Any advice here? Really wanna get my car back up and running.

Would it be safe for me to run out and grab a blowtorch and just heat it up? This would be my first time using one, but it seems like if hitting it as hard as I was didn't work, neither would a gear puller.

Edit: Saw something somewhere about threading two bolts into the holes near the center of the flywheel, to push against the flange behind it and hopefully pop the flywheel off. I've threaded the bolts to the point I need a breaker bar to turn it, but before I go forward, is there any potential damage I could do? Don't want to **** this car up more than it's fucked me.

 

The first thing I ever did when I got my car was replace the clutch. The flywheel was on super tight, just like you're saying. I tried using 2 bolts, but I ended up crushing the bolts and ruining them before I could get the flywheel to even budge.

The way I finally got it off was by putting the pressure plate back on the flywheel and beating the heck out of it with a 7 lb sledge. It eventually came off, but I ruined the flywheel bolt holes' threads by trying to press it off. It was so bad, I had to drill the bolts back out.

Good luck

 

Yeah haha, ran into the same problem as you and twisted two bolts off into the holes in my desperation. Definitely recommend against that for anyone else in this predicament.

In the end, a mini sledge and 10 minutes of banging worked beautifully. Really not sure why that worked so well when I put more power behind the claw hammer for much longer, probably some physics nonsense haha.

Thanks guys, glad to be a new member here. I'll be sure to add to the community whenever i see the chance

 

Search youtube.
It needs a sharp, steel on steel, impact. Will **** you off how easy it comes off. Make sure the nut is on.