3.4 4x4 flywheel dust cover removal

I did mark the locations of each driveshaft prior to removal. I plan to line up those marks, tighten the bolts, and get on down the road. Hope that’s it!

 

They are on all 3.4L Tacomas and always have to be unbolted to remove the transmission, as was said if you leave it in place it will interfere with the flywheel when trying to remove the transmission.

Jeff

 

Test drive and all worked just fine. Nothing seemed out of line.

 

Every one I put a clutch in it was not on!

Disconnect the normal things out it came.

Is it something likely to be left off or the bolts break and they just never bothered to reinstall?

That is just why it sounded so strange never dealing with removing one.

 

Exactly what I did. Did my clutch this last summer and couldn't get the bolts to go in (need hands the size a 6 month old baby to get in there). I just left it off. We will see what becomes of that in the coming years. 04 4x4 xcab btw

 

I’d think the skid plate will keep most junk from collecting in the scoop of an open lower bell housing. As I rolled the transmission back in place, I was able to get the most difficult bolt back on. They were awful.

 

I had the same problem with mine, I also just flat forgot to unbolt it and wrestled with the trans for an hour under the truck before my dumbass remembered to take that cover off. I would put it back on if you wheel the truck.

 

I wrestled for every bit of an hour before I figured it out

 

Just my opinion here.... I think its much better with that plate on, but I have see some left off. I bet 2 bolts will be fine to hold it on forever.

 

I've removed the access plate on the bottom of the bell housing for an auto trans replacement and a clutch job. My tool of choice is a flex head ratcheting wrench. Yes, the one on the driver side is the hardest to get to. I spy where the bolt is by feeling for the bolt head while on the driver side of the transmission and facing towards the engine. Trying to see what you're doing while under the rig near the steering rack and cross member is very hard for that furthest most bolt on the driver side. You can get the ratcheting wrench onto the bolt and turn the wrench from this position. It's still not super easy but way more doable then trying to do it while laying on your back under the engine.

I like Gear Wrench tools and this is the ratcheting wrench kit I own. It's come in very handy for many many jobs. If you don't yet own a set of ratcheting wrenches, I highly recommend you get yourself one. They are worth their weight in gold. I recommend flex head ones because they are way more versatile.
*Flex Head Box End Wrench Set https://amzn.to/31x8BOo

 

I forgot I had a set of those until reinstallation. Mine don’t have the flex head, but definitely made access much easier! Putting it back still sucked, just not nearly as much.

 

Before it was all said and done, I wound up sneaking one more in before calling it quits. Got 3 of them in place!

 

You should be good with three. There isn't any real stress on it.