Well, ran into this today on a students car. After numerous attempts for what seemed to be an hour, we rotated the crankshaft to try to get a bite from the other side. What we found looked to be a split release ring. With two screw drivers from the bottom and one from the top we could not get this thing to raise move evenly to allow for the release.

So to the internet we went. I found a post where one shop cut the springs out of the diaphram. Seemed a little extreme. But then I thought about it, wouldnt unbolted the pressure plate through the fork hole accomplish the same thing? 5 min later the trans was on the floor.

So, if you absolutley can not get it to release for whatever reason. Unbolt the pressure plate, and boom, comes right out with the pressure plate still hooked to the trans.

 

Yep, I had to do the same thing my 2nd clutch replacement... learned that trick on my older Mitsu.

You just access the 6 clutch plate bolts from the fork hole.

 

That is an awesome find isnt it. Especially when you hear about someone torching theirs to get it out.

 

Whats real funny is once you get good at it like our tech is here.. You can count to 5 and he pops the clip.. I hate doing them myself too though..

Mike