Replacing a clutch...., Easy to do yourself? Options

[CupCrazy38]

Well, was going to a friends house the other day and next thing I know... can't make it up this big arse hill.

Need a new clutch. Got it to the Toyota dealer... they asked me where the tow truck was that dropped it off, lol. Anyway, just got the car back a few weeks ago after it took 5 weeks to fix after I got hit.

The problem is, it's gonna cost me a crap load in labor to fix. After having to shell out $500 to fix "previous damage" that I was unaware of to have the car fixed (Insurance paid another $3,400), $875 to have a new clutch put in is a bit pricy for a college student to make while having to pay over $300 a month for full coverage on an ST.... ugh. Can't wait to have this thing paid off, but at this rate....

My ? is.... anyone ever replace their clutch? Is it hard? I've got a Haynes Repair Manual, while it's not the greatest thing, it is a start. I've worked on my parent's cars in the past, and have helped replace just about every component in my mom's car's engine (1985 190 E). The other cars were a 70 Chevelle, and an 84 Monte Carlo. How does the celica compare to those?

I've got my dad whose been fixing his own cars his whole life and fixed jets and helicopters in the marines for 21 years to help me as well, and there is a lift that I can use on base for free.

Toyota diagnosed the following:
Clutch- $69.64
Pressure Plate- $98.02
Throw Out Bearing- $44.04
Turn Flywheel & Rear main seal- $35

and on a side note, a left axle seal for $14.99

With labor they want $875 for it all.... to save over $500 I'm more than willing to take my time and learn how to do this....

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the long post....

This post has been edited by CupCrazy38: Dec 10, 2003 - 4:23 PM

[Kwanza]

Here's the jist of it...

Unbolt/disconnect all wires that connect to the tranny... there are a few... remove both front wheels, pull out hub pins, remove axles from hubs, be careful not to "break" axle... remove axle from tranny. Have something to hold up the tranny and engine, say jacks or engine lift... remove lower engine mount, and tranny mount on the driver's side. It's difficult to remove the bottom mount... cause you'll have to remove bottom crossmember. Remove bolts connecting tranny to engine. Carefully get the tranny out. Replace clutch, buff flywheel, replace throw out bearing, etc... now go backwards and put everything back together...

NOTE: It's not an easy job... expect taking an entire day to do the job correctly. My cousin and I managed to replace my clutch in about 6-7 hours, and he's certified and I am a very capable mechanic.

This post has been edited by Kwanza: Dec 10, 2003 - 11:49 PM