Just in case anyone is thinking of changing the clutches in one of these yourself, you can do it, just be patient.
I was getting “transmission performance low” and slipping in first and third gears but everything else worked so assumed the clutches were worn and so thought it was worth giving it a go.
I got a kit from eBay from a helpful seller who only sold genuine parts(not Chinese parts), they were called Talexin, based on the UK. Next day overnight delivery too.
The kit contained, the clutch plates, damper springs, ‘banana’ plastics and new oil cover plate. £299.
There are a few videos on YouTube showing how to disassemble and reassemble the unit, and that itself is straightforward.
Getting it back on on the car is a pain, you need to line up the dog tooth connection and this can take a bit of trial and error, you can buy alignment tools, but I just did it by eye.
Once all black together you must do a clutch learn/adaption reset in Vida, as the box will need to learn how thick the clutches are. I didn’t know this, and when I first put it back in. When testing it after putting it all back together it made an awful banging noise when engaging gear, so assumed I had to take it apart again, so did and stripped it all down and re-did it all, only to get the same result.
But the clutch adaption and relearn fixed it and I didn’t need to waste my time removing the box, rebuilding the clutches and then refitting it all… You live and learn.
Basic steps I took to get the gearbox out.
Jack up car
Remove front wheels, chock back wheels
Put into neutral
Drain trans oil
Disconnect oil filter feed and return pipes
Disconnect mechatronic wiring plugs
Remove bumper (optional)
Remove wing inner liners (optional)
Disconnect track rod ends
Disconnect wishbone front hub
Remove driveshafts (I couldn’t get left hand one out so left it attached)
Unbolt steering rack and hang from strutbrace
Unbox torque (rear) engine mount.
Disconnect sensor from exhaust
Disconnect exhaust support rubbers
Brack that support exhaust (4 bolts)
Jack subframe and remove 8 bolts
Lower and remove subframe from under the vehicle
Jack engine/gearbox
Remove battery, air box, battery tray
Remove gearbox side engine mount
Remove gearbox shift pivot and disconnect cable from selector (keep In neutral position)
Remove starter motor (3 bolts) noting earth location on bolt
I supported the gearbox from above with a block and tackle
Support weight of gearbox and undo the engine to transmission bolts.
Lower the engine on the jack by amount 40mm
Lower the gearbox to the ground.
It’s heavy, 100kgs so get someone to help you lift it.
Tip to get the oil cover plate off the transmission is plug the vent /locking pin bolt hole, block the oil cooler pipes. And use compressed air into the vent hole to blow it off. It’s Worth putting a strap or 2 around the gearbox to stop it blowing off and knocking you over, it takes some pressure to blow it off!
Disassembly was fairly straightforward, following the guides on you tube, watched them a few times before you do it.
And
We’re useful.
Do it on a clean surface, there will be trans oil still in there so be prepared.
Take your time.
The absolute worst bit of all of it, was getting the dog tooth connection lined up between the flywheel and gearbox. get an assistant, the way I did it was – I was under the car with the jack under the engine so I could adjust the angle the engine sat at and rotate the flywheel, and my partner was using the block and tackle to raise the gearbox which was supported on straps so we could adjust the angle that it hang to a match the engine. So inwould line up by eye the connections, then she would raise and lower the gearbox on my instruction until they lined up. Took a few attempts but lined up eventually and bolted together.
Once it was lined up, bolt the engine and transmission back together, get the engine mount on. Then every thing you took off needs to go back on.
Fill the transmission with new fluid, so not out into gear, just fill it for now.
Put the car back on the ground,
Then do the Vida relearn in park with the car on the ground do not put it into gear until the relearn/adaption is complete.
Once the relearn is done, you can cycle the through the gears to get the transmission oil level correct.
