Removal (RAV4 - 2WD)
- Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove air cleaner case with air intake hose. Remove engine coolant reservoir tank. Remove engine wire clamp. Disconnect necessary ground straps, electrical connections and control cables from transaxle.
- Remove starter. Remove clutch release cylinder with hose attached and secure aside. Remove 4 upper transaxle mounting bolts. Remove left engine mount-to-body bolt and nuts. Install engine support brace. Wire steering rack to engine support brace.
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove lower engine covers. Drain transaxle fluid. Remove axle shafts from transaxle. See appropriate article in DRIVE AXLES. Remove front exhaust pipe. Discard exhaust pipe flange nuts and gaskets.
- Using a jack, support front suspension crossmember. Disconnect center exhaust pipe support ring. Remove steering rack mounting bolts and nuts. Remove front suspension crossmember with stabilizer bar and secure aside. Remove engine center mount. Using a transmission jack, support transaxle.
- Remove left engine mount-to-body bolts. Remove 2 stiffener plate bolts and stiffener plate. Remove 7 rear end plate bolts and end plate.
- Slightly lower left side of engine and remove transaxle. Remove transaxle case protector. Place reference mark on clutch cover and flywheel for reassembly reference.
- Alternately loosen clutch cover bolts until spring tension is released. Remove clutch cover and clutch disc. Remove clutch release fork and clutch release bearing as an assembly from transaxle (if necessary). See Figure. Disassemble clutch release fork and clutch release bearing assembly (if necessary).