Clutch Repair

Hi, I have a 2006 Toyota Matrix. A family member stole it and blew the clutch. I am trying to find out how to fix it on my own. Can anyone help me with this information for I do not have the money to pay anyone to fix it. Thanks,

 

well, you'd need to remove trannie to get to the clutch. that is a major job to do, so if you are not set for it, and don't have know how/experience, it'll be beyond your scope. and knowing toyotas, you looking at around $700 for the job.
it'd be a good time to look around in your circle and find out if you have a good FRIEND that will help. a friend in need is friend indeed.
just an idea. if you belong to a church maybe? some of them have garages and good samaritan mechanics.
i am assuming you are a novice, otherwise you wouldn't be asking such a question, it's pretty streightforward, simply labor/time taking job known by most tree shade mechanics.
all the best, friend.


you know what? maybe he did not fry the clutch plate itself. maybe he just boiled hydraulic fluid and you got air in the system. for 2006 it's sort of real hard to fry the plate. i'd try bleeding hydraulic cylinder for your clutch. worth a try, will cost you few bucks for a can of brake fluid and a length of a hose. you can find procedure in any toyota manual in local library, it's the same for any year and make. you might get lucky.

 

Thank you, being that i am a woman I can change oil and do brakes myself lucky that I have a dad to teach me that, but never taught me how to change the clutch. I will see if I can find someone to help me do the whole bleeding of the clutch fluid. I did have someone look at it and tell me that it was the clutch because it will not go into gear while pushing on the clutch. I will though ask someone to help me to this. Thanks.

 

Important question; is the culprit going to pay the bill and if not why not? Was it reported to the police? No reason he/she should get away without paying for it either in $ or jail time.

My $.02 worth.

 

u r welcome. and my complements that you do your own maintenance to your best abilities.

gear does not go in for 2 reasons:
1. clutch plate does not disengage thus engine is not disconnected from transmission, thus gears can't synchronize for shift(BTW, do your gears engage with engine off? if not, i bet you money it's hydraulics, not clutch plate)
2. gear shifter is out of alignment, either on the gear shifter itself, or on trannie.

as of the 1st, we just replaced clutch on my son's corolla, before we sold it, and with fried clutch plate, credit to buyer who took it "for a spin", i could engage any gears, as there is no direct connection between flywheel/engine and the input shaft in trannie anymore. it just won't DRIVE.
so, i'd start with simple. locate your clutch hydraulic cylinder, should be a small metal cylinder with canister on top of it, next to master cylinder(brakes) and single metal line exiting it and going to clutch. check on fluid level and condition. somehow i start feeling good about this, i am in fair hope that your hydraulic line simply got air into it and pressing on clutch pedal does not disengage the clutch plate right.
follow that hgydraulic line and it'll lead you to the hydraulic cylinder on trannie. it's about 2-3 inches long one, with rubber cap and push rod sticking out of it. usually on the radiator side of trannie for ease of bleeding. minor parts removal might be necessary to get to it. check if the pushrod is engaged or properly seated in the metal spoon looking piece that goes into trannie. that's the lever that transfers hydraulic pressure onto the pressure plate and makes it to disengage the clutch plate. (it's a very simplified description, pundits, don't bash me for that, just KISS it)
also, that cylinder will have a bleeding insert on it, usually 10 or 8 mm head with rubber cap on it.

as of 2, you should see 2 cables coming from firewall and connected to trannie, usually on driver side of trannie, on top of it. they usually have 2 round swiveling connectors that are connected to 2 levers coming out of trannie. locate them and visually inspect them, maybe grab and tug. on some makes, those could be adjusted.

also, sit in the car and press on the clutch pedal. if it goes down to the floor nice and smooth - you do have air in hydraulic line/cylinder, and the system does not operate. if you feel decent resistance to pressure, from somewhere midway down - then we do have a problem, as pressure plate does engage and moves away from the clutch plate, thus disengaging motor from trannie.

once again, i start feeling better about this, does not sound like fried clutch plate.