clutch and bellhousing question

Hi guys,
I have a 2003 3.4L 4wd tacoma.

So I'm in the middle of doing my clutch, and am stuck removing the bellhousing. So I got all 6 bolts for the bellhousing and removed the starter, but do I have to remove the 4 12mm bolts on the bottom of the bellhousing (engine side) that I guess hold on some dust cover? I tried without removing them (I could be wrong, but FSM doesn't mention it) I couldn't get two of them out because the damn steering rack is all in the way... and even if I get them out, not sure how I would torque them back on....

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

 

Yes , remove the bolts
all the bolts have to be removed from the bell housing to get to the clutch

I have some info here that might help
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...ation-your-5-speed-transmission-write-up.html

 

YES. I struggled with this over the weekend when pulling my 3.4L. I felt like a dumb ass when my buddy yelled "JABRONI!!!!!!!!!" from under the truck.

They are not fun to get to on the drivers side. We used a 24" extension and a 12mm wobble to get the upper drivers side bolt after removing the clip for the ADD wiring. The second bolt we used a boxed end wrench. Third we used a boxed end wrench and the 4th we used the same extension and wobble from the engine compartment. However I have my accessories and airbox out of the way, so your mileage my vary on that one. The passenger side bolts were not the hard ones.

 

I used one of these:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_338392-2542...L=?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

 

Ok thanks guys! I got the three closest to the passenger side out with the box end wrench and wobble just like you guys said, but I'm stuck on the furthest one on the driver side. I'll take a look at it tomorrow again. Thanks for all your help!