How to fix a 2005 Mazda tribute i 2.3 L Clutch

[Luis]

I need Help on fixing my 2005 mazda tribute i 2.3 L. I had the clutch for a long time at 124,000 miles pretty good right. But now I have the burning rubber smell and I took it to get it looked and sadly to say they agree that the clutch is burning out. The price is way over my head so it is a DIY project. So any help will be much appreciated.

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[Mike]

If this was a 25 year old rear-wheel drive pickup truck, I’d say a clutch change would be a good project for a hobby mechanic. That isn’t the case here, though.

Eric has an excellent 4-part series of videos showing how to remove and replace an automatic transmission in a front wheel drive minivan. While it isn’t exactly the same job you’re facing, much of the general disassembly and heavy work will be similar. (I think the series is titled “Paying It Forward” or something like that.)

I’d suggest you watch the videos and decide if you want to proceed with the job yourself. Without a vehicle hoist and a transmission jack, this would be a tough challenge for an amateur mechanic. This will take more time than you are probably counting on, and with projects of this nature, any number of unforeseen issues can crop up.

I don’t know what experience you have, what your toolbox contains, and what your facilities and working conditions consist of. If you’re a complete rookie, my advice would be to park your vehicle and save your money while you shop around for a good mechanic who will do the work for a fair price. Sometimes, it really is cheaper, in terms of time and money, to pay a pro to do the job.

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