Clutch, Who's done it???

[mikemustang289]

This is my 1rst FWD car, I've done many RWD clutches, all pretty easy.

I want to know what is and is not necessary when doing a clutch on a 5sfe, I'm assuming all of these cars are very similar, mine is a 00' camry.

The Hayne's manual speaks about removing power steering components, forward section of exhaust, front subframe, draining oil, removing radiator, etc...

First off, is it necesary to remove the trans from the engine compartment to gain access to the clutch? or can the trans be slid back far enough to remove the pressure plate?

Also, the drive axles need to be removed. What is involed in doing this?? Aside from removing the retaining nut, do the axles just push in and pop out or do the suspension components (LCA, tie rods, struts) need to be taken off?

Lastly, is there a pilot bearing or bushing?? Most clutch kits don't seem to include either, wondering where it can be purchased?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what is involved. I plan to put together a nice writeup for the board once I get this done.

[renmike]

You might want to search about this, because I think I've only read once that someone was able to slide the tranny back far enough to work on the clutch, while everything else I've read said it was still easier to remove them together (engine and tranny) and work with it outside of the car.

[toyomoho]

Download the toyota service info from the link below:

http://oregonstate.edu/~tongt/camry

[Eye8Pussies]

I'm not sure if on the 5sfe you'll have enough room to slide the tranny to the side to work on the clutch, but on the v6s, for sure there is not enough room.

for hte drive axles, the driver's side just pops out with some leverage, whereas the passenger's side outside axle needs to be popped off (you can keep it on the half-shaft if you want to, but it's easier to pull the engine with it removed).

as for the pilot bearing, you don't need it for a fwd car. in our cas, it would really just help to center the clutch and that's about it. I didn't install one, and no problems (in face, the pilot bearing that came with my clutch kit- spec Stage III- didn't even fit in my tranny. I think it was designed to fit the rwd e153 from the mr2). If you really think you need one, go to the dealership.

If you have access to a hosit, then that'd make things a cinche. Otherwise, pull the engine/tranny out together out the top.

I hope that helps.

[greggf]

I'm planning on doing this too (replace the clutch in my 94 Camry DX 191K). It actually doesn't show any serious signs of wear but it probably will soon. I have read both the service manual procedure (drop the tranny out the bottom) and the Haynes procedure (pull the engine and tranny together) and both seem equally involved. It does seem clear that there isn't enough room to separate them enough to do the job in the vehicle.

I was hoping someone on this forum had experience with the drop-the-tranny out the bottom approach and what were the glitches to the procedure - the only one that seems obvious is re-installation and allignment. Apparently the 5 sp Camrys are relatively rare as are people who do their own clutches.

[Eye8Pussies]

I wouldn't think that it would be too hard to realign- especially since the 4banger 5-speed can't weigh that much at all.

As long a you can get the car up hight enough to drop it out the bottom, you'll be fine.

Just get a strong guy to bench-press it back up and a couple of extra guys to wiggle it in place, I'm sure that the tranny can't weight more than 200lbs.