Hello:
I am new here.

Seeking assistance and advice on the replacement of the clutch in my '97 RAV 4, 4 cyl. Manual AWD.

Any experience and or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Michael

Michael,

Unless you have the shop and tools, I wont advise you to attempt it. So many things can go wrong and will cost more to fix the mess. Make certain it is the clutch and then call as many garages you can for a flat rate fee on repl it. Clutch repl is in the book and will have a set amount of labour. Purchasing the parts first and bringing them to the shop can help, but that may only save you 50 bucks.

My advice is to get the shop you trust to replace it, then if they pooch it you can bring it back...they will honour their work, can you?

Thank You Mongo!!!

I appreciate your candor and experience.

It is great to find a guy who has 'been there, done that' !

I am sure you must have a clutch kit that you like, I wonder if you would share that info. with me? (There is probably a lot of junk on the market)

If I were to drive into your shop today, can you give me an idea of what you would charge for this job??

Again, I appreciate your help.

Thanks a million,

Michael in Oklahoma

looking at your address it will cost you more to drive up here than to have it replaced, by the time you get here it will be winter.

The Clutch parts alone will be approx $200. Purchase any replacement parts from a known parts supplier. Labour is about $70 an hour it going to take about 3 or four hours, so anything around $500 would be acceptable, all prices are in canadian money.
Regardless, most shops will quote a flat rate for this job, ask for the written estimate prior to any labour. Make sure that they are only going to work on the clutch assembly, they cleaned everything, and that they guarantee their work.
Once you have the new clutch installed you have to learn how to drive with a new clutch all over again. If one of the family drivers is young with zero experience using the clutch pedal, get them some help learning and using (do not ride the clutch pedal when not using it) or your going to replace it again. The clutch should last the life of the car.....hahahaha thats the plan

mongo

Thanks again Mongo.

I wasn't intending to drive to your shop, just wanted an idea of costs (to keep the locals honest) !

Your advice is well taken and much appreciated !!!

Michael 1

Hello Again Mongo!!!

I had my clutch replaced by a reputable shop. It took a lot of hours and work to accomplish. (1997 Rav4 2dr 4X4)

They replaced clutch, timing belt, small rotory sensor that sits outside the belt looking at gears on crankshaft.

When it was all back together, the car starts and DIES after 4 or 5 seconds. They can't figure it out.

DOES THE TIMING BELT HAVE ANY IMBEDS OR MARKS ON IT THAT MUST INDEX??

They havef sent the computer off to be tested. No reply yet on the health of the computer.

It seems a strange coincidence that the computer would fail while the clutch was being replaced.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OF WHAT MAY HAVE BEN OVERLOOKED, OR IMPROPERLY RE-ASSEMBLED????

Thanks a million for any advice you have.

Mike

Why they would replace the belt? Over 90k,sure. Gotta check on that,,,but they asked you first and you must have agreed. The timing Belt is very improtant, has many markings to allow proper installation and ultimate timing. If they dont know I stand no chance from here. My first geuss is they unplugged something that didnt get plugged back in...so many little things,,,,please keep me inormed...good luck

mongo

Thanks again Mongo:
The car has 160,000 on it and I did approve changing the timing belt.
I don't know if the replacement belt had markings like the original one, and I don't know if it was carefully installed with the markings considered.
They welcome any comments you have and I will pass them along.

Will keep you posted.

Thank You again for your wisdom and comments.

Mike

Runs for 5 seconds and shuts off,,,do youhave a security system acitvated? Sounds like an issue with the anti theft....again, I am only thinking outloud

THANK YOU MONGO;

I will pass that along to them.

The previous owner had a security system in the car. I assume he removed it, BUT, it could be lurking in there somewhere.

Will keep you posted.

THANKS AGAIN,

Mike

Hi Mongo:

My car had a anti-theft sensor at the timing gears/timing belt.

THEY CUT IT OUT.

Thanks again,

Mike

your welcome,,,you can fax my 20 bucks now//lol (IMG:style_emoticons/default/banana.gif)

good luck, happy travels

HAAAAAAAAAAA
OTAY!!

ITS NOT YET FIXED.........................

The status of the car is still the same. The computer is still away being checked out, so we can't try to run it.

THEY CUT OUT THE ANTI-THEFT SENSOR DURING THE ORIGINAL REPAIR. IT WAS GONE WHEN THE CAR DIED IN 5 SECONDS.

CAN IT BE THAT THE SENSOR MUST BE RE-INSTALLED TO MAKE IT RUN??????????????????????

Thanks again,

Mike