Lessons Learned From Replacing a Clutch

While replacing my clutch recently, I realized I had some knowledge gaps and figured that if anyone was stuck in the midst of a similar project, I might be able to help. Forgive me if this is already information that’s posted, but I was not able to find it (or rather, I found a few conflicting answers. None of them were correct for my engine / transmission).

My experience is limited to the following vehicle:

2019 Tacoma TRD Off Road
Transmission: RC62F (6sp MT)
Engine: 2GR-FKS (3.5L V6)

If you need to pull the transmission off of the bell housing, there are 11 bolts to remove (14mm / 17mm).
To get to the top 2 bolts (which are fairly impossible to see), and after you remove the transmission crossmember, lower the transmission on the jack just a bit so you can see over the top of the transmission to the bell housing. If you shine a flashlight, you might see the glimmer off of the top 2 17mm bolts. (I am not a mechanic, so this may be stressing engine mounts or internals in some problematic way—I really don’t know).
To remove the top bolts, I linked together 50” of 1/2” drive extensions to my torque wrench (no swivel in the system) and had no problem reaching the bolts while I sat behind the transfer case. Most of the other bolts can be removed the same way if you don’t feel like messing about with gymnastics to reach them from up close. The 14mm bolts are all fairly accessible.

If you’re wondering how long it takes to replace a clutch for someone who is figuring it out as he goes along, it took me 20 hours. (Like I said, I’m not a mechanic).

 

The internet is great for information. Hours taken isn't a concern and I bet the next one you'd cut that time down to 1/4 of the time.
All back together and works I take it? No chatter....

 

All back and working once more. Centerforce seems to make a good product.

 

I swapped the TOB twice. The first time was about 10hrs. The 2nd was about 5hrs. One of the biggest helpers was not linking up every extension that I had, but using a very long one like you noted.

Tipping the trans down fully is no problem for the motor mounts. Actually holding the engine like that helps with the installation. I will jack the engine next time.

I think I chatted about this fun a bit in the ADM thread? Or, the MT Fan Club thread?


I cannot even imagine the labor cost on top of the parts and shop mark up. Way better at home regardless of bloody knuckles.

IMHO, the worst parts are the stupid harness (Toyota should have given us one main disconnect instead of ten stupid brackets to deal with) and getting the spline aligned and back in.

 

I was quoted between $1400 and $2700 for labor from 6 different shops and a dealership in my area (I told them I would provide all parts). I figured I could spend half of the cheap estimate on tools and maybe learn something along the way.

Putting a jack under the engine is a good idea. And yes, it would’ve been much better to have a single disconnect instead of the OEM spiderweb of wiring and brackets on top of the transmission.

I found a tip to mark the alignment tool with a paint pen so you can make sure that you’ve got a spline at the top of clutch and at the top of the transmission input shaft when you put them back together. Worked like a charm.

 

Cheers!

I was guessing about $1k just for a TOB swap. Given shop rates, I can see a full day for it, which would agree with those numbers. But, I think an experience mech would do it in much less time.

I will try aligning a spline next time. That would likely help.