1987 clutch question

[gaijinrider]

I have to change out my clutch, can anyone comment on whether it would be worth the trouble to do it myself or pay a garage to do it for me.

I have the 22RE EFI, with 4WD. I also own a FSM (and have read it, so I understand on paper what needs to happen). But has anyone actually done one themself and can comment on it?

Thanks

 

[the_dingman]

Well, you'll either need to remove the engine, or drop the transmission to get at it. I changed my transmission with the help of a friend who is a professional mechanic last year. Even with someone who really knew what he was doing, it was about a 7 hour job, and there was plenty of headache along the way.

Unless you are very good with cars, or have a whole weekend to kill with a friend and a couple of jacks or an engine hoist, I'd have someone else do it. This is not a job you can do alone.

 

[fourwd1]

I've done a couple, it's not too bad if you have all the tools, jackstands, tranny jack, air tools, etc. and a friend to help.

You can pull the tranny/t-case as 1 piece or pull them separately.

 

[gaijinrider]

Update

I do have the tools... mental and otherwise

So I started to drop the transmission last night. I have both drive shafts removed (properly marked of course) and have removed all the engine bolts (a complete pain in the butt!), removed brackets and exhaust (nearly rusted solid) and removed stabilizer arm (new rubber needed). There is a step by step in the FSM for dropping this thing and I have followed it to a letter.

As far as I can tell, the transmission should be free, but we cannot manage to get it to free up.

Any suggestions?

 

[drmorbius]

Re: Update

I do have the tools... mental and otherwise

So I started to drop the transmission last night. I have both drive shafts removed (properly marked of course) and have removed all the engine bolts (a complete pain in the butt!), removed brackets and exhaust (nearly rusted solid) and removed stabilizer arm (new rubber needed). There is a step by step in the FSM for dropping this thing and I have followed it to a letter.

As far as I can tell, the transmission should be free, but we cannot manage to get it to free up.

Any suggestions?

If the clutch is still hooked up you might try having someone press in on that. Releasing the disk may make it slide right out.

 

[gaijinrider]

Success!

So after my last post we went to the garage and started getting physical with it! After a few good heaves and a delicate ballet of jacks and jack stands, we were able to get the whole transmission assembly out.

 

[gaijinrider]

Here is the old clutch assembly before removal.

 

[gaijinrider]

After some degreaser and elbow grease, it is a little cleaner.

There is still much more cleaning to do. I figure since I have it out I will pretty it up a bit. Maybe even through a coat of paint on there before I put it back in.

 

[oneflat83]

great job on the cleaning. I usually degrease and preasure wash or steam it. what clutch are you putting in it?

 

[Windsor]

Just in case you didn't know.. you really need the clutch alignment tool.

If you don't have one, borrow/buy one. It'll save you hours of headaches.