How do I change the clutch on a Ferrari 348?

This FAQ explains how to change the clutch on a Ferrari 348 (twin clutch model) using the Ferrari OEM clutch replacement kit. The instructions are provided at your own risk.

  1. Jack the car up.
  2. Remove the muffler.
  3. Remove the cover nuts from the clutch housing.
  4. Press clutch pedal to release the cover and clutch assembly from the pilot bearing.
  5. Remove the clutch pack nuts.
  6. Remove the slave body.
  7. To install the new clutch, position the clutch pack and use the two long bolts from the starter/clutch cover to help compress the clutch pack. Place these bolts 180 degrees apart. Before you tighten, use the clutch alignment tool to align the plates to the pilot bearing. Make sure that if you're using a smooth tool that you line-up the splines of the two plates together. Eyeballing it works fine. A splined tool is not required. As the clutch pack is compressed, start the clutch pack bolts as they meet the threads then replace the starter bolts with the correct final two clutch pack bolts and torque to 20 ft-lbs.
  8. Place the throwout bearing/slavebody combination back on the slavebody flange shaft.
  9. Bleed the slave body by bleeding the clutch in the same manner as a "two man" brake bleed. Have one person open the bleed screw as the other person pushes the slavebody toward the transmission until it stops, then close the bleed screw.
  10. Push the clutch once again to get the slavebody to move away from the transmission then Step 9. Repeat Steps 9 & 10 until all the air is gone. Note: You cannot simply replace the throwout bearing because it is part of the slave body. Early 348s may still have the non-updated throwout bearing/slavebody combination which can be disassembled, but parts are unavailable for them. You can have the bearing rebuilt by some bearing rebuilders. The seals of the old slavebodies may be the same size as in the new updated part. The new part comes as a kit with one seal. You need to also get the other slavebody seal and two plugs for the flange so you can place this new flange in the car. This is a typical Ferrari kit with half the required parts!
  11. Place the clutch cover on to the tip of the pilot bearing/transmission shaft. As the cover goes on, rotate the free rotating clutch assembly until it indexes on the small splined input shaft. Use a large rubber mallet on the cover to drive the cover on, and as this is being done turn the wheels of the car to make the large splined clutch shaft rotate so as to index with the clutch plates on the clutch assembly. Drive the rest of the cover into place. This may be somewhat difficult as it needs to interference fit over the pilot bearing. A tip is to drive the cover into place enough so the longer starter motor bolts can be threaded until just hand tight to the cover, then rubber mallet the opposite side of the cover, then tighten the bolt a bit more, then rubber mallet again until the cover is flush with the transmission case.
  12. Place the cover nuts and tighten.
  13. Replace the muffler.
  14. Lower the car and test.
Contributions to this FAQ by: Dr. Carlton H. Fung, DDS