Toyota 31210-32130 Cover Assembly, Clutch

The major components of the clutch are accessed by having to remove the transaxle but the engine remains in the vehicle. If major overhauling of the engine is to be done, then clutch should also be inspected and worn out part should be replaced because they are cheap in cost but may be so difficult to remove once the engine is taken off. The release cylinder has to be detached and shifted aside and the hose does not need to be disconnected from the release cylinder. The transaxle needs to be pulled out of the car and the engine needs to be properly supported usually on an engine lift. In all the mentioned configurations, it is indicated that the release fork and bearing can continue to remain incorporate with the transaxle. For enhancing the hold of the clutch disc during such processes like its removal, one should intend to insert a clutch alignment tool through the clutch disc hub. Check for indexing marks on the flywheel and on the pressure plate, reading these if there are any, otherwise create your own for reference when you are re-fitting them. Relieve spring pressure on the pressure plate to the flywheel by slackening the bolts in diagonal fashion and then taking out the bolts, the pressure plate and clutch disc. It is recommended to check every part of the unit but, at least, the flywheel needs to be examined for its cracks and damages, and the clutch disc lining for wears. The release bearing should also be replaced together with the clutch disc. Pressure plate should be examined for score marks and overheating and if they are the situation rectified than pressure plate should be changed. For optimum performance it is recommended that the flywheel and pressure plate contact surfaces be clean, free from any oil or grease. Before tightening up the bolts, align the clutch disc and pressure plate using an alignment tool in a correct manner. Before final tightening of the pressure plate-to-flywheel bolts, they should be tightened just enough to create slightly snug fit and at this stage, the clutch disc should be set symmetrically so as to balance it before the bolts are tight, they are tightened in a bolt star pattern while avoiding the ring wrench technique which could cause a distortion of the clutch disc. When tightening all the bolts, it is important to take out the adjustment tool and then apply grease on the interior part of the releasable bearing and all contacts. Last but not the least fit the clutch release bearing, the transaxle, the release cylinder and all other parts removed in this process should then be adequately tightened according to the recommended torque settings.

Carefully inspect the flywheel and pressure plate for indexing marks, which are usually an X, an O, or a white letter. If they cannot be found, scribe your own marks to ensure proper alignment during installation.