87 Camry question About strange Clutch problem

[hardyrxp]

Hello to all,
I have a 87 Camry 2.0 5 speed and the clutch plate was worn too low (long story). So I had the whole kit i.e. clutch, plate, and everything else that comes in kit replaced. The car ran fine for a while (about 7 months) then one day after driving a long time the clutch would not come out of gear. After forcing it out of gear it would then would not go back into any gear. If I would force it into a gear it then would have extreme problems going out of gear. So I went back to the mechanic who installed the clutch and he sent me to a neighbor mechanic who installed a entire NEW clutch and kit again. In the end the mechanic did not say what happened or what caused this but they were mad at each other. So I am guessing here that perhaps some bolt or something was not tightened down or done correctly causing the job to be redone again.

My ? is what would cause this to happen (described above about not coming out or going into gear)? Next ? is when you are doing the job of installing a whole clutch kit are there some sensitive bolts/areas that if not done correctly would cause serious problems in the future such as what happened to me? Please advise me here thanks so much for your help in this matter. I am sure someone on here knows and has had a similar experience please share.
Dave

 

[demarpaint]

Many years ago I bought a used Van with a 4 speed transmission that needed a clutch. I took it to a mechanic because I didn't have the time nor desire to replace the clutch. He used a kit that he insisted was as good as OEM an clutch. When he completed the job the van would not go into reverse, unless you shut the engine off. He then told me the transmission was bad and I knew it was time to get the van out of his hands.

Long story short, my brother and I refused to pay this guy, dropped the transmission and installed a Center Force clutch which saw close to 150,000 miles of hard use before we sold the van.

He could have installed a cheaply made out of spec clutch, something was put back together incorrectly, the flywheel might not have been machined, or machined incorrectly. I've found the kits that stores sell which include the disk, pressure plate, throw out bearing, or not up to par with units like Center Force or OEM. In certain older Ford applications sometimes cutting too much off the flywheel will cause major problems as well. JMO

 

[hardyrxp]

Hello,
Thanks for that info and sharing I concur with you perhaps something was done incorrectly here. Next time I will get a performance clutch or better quality but the one I got was rated highly in quality thanks again.
Dave

 

[mechtech2]

Why ask us?
Ask them - they know what happened and we don't.

 

[2oldtommy]

Dave, This Camry has a hydralicly operated clutch. Sudden failure as you describe is sometimes caused by failure of either of the cylinders, ( on the firewall or at the clutch ). Were these replaced at the time of the new clutch? Did you check the fluid after the 2'nd failure? Do you trust both these mechanics? Could it be that the second one replaced a bad cylinder and charged you for a new clutch? I hope not. FWIW--Oldtommy

 

[hardyrxp]

I already explained in my post why i am asking you guys on here perhaps you should read it.

 

[hardyrxp]

Yes I did check fluid at time of 2nd failure it was full. The 1st mechanic was not so good the 2nd better. Look people what I want to know is THIS..... What condition would cause a clutch to get stuck in a certain gear not come out of that gear and then not go into gear at all? That is my ? on here I would think it would be something to do with the linkage am I correct?

 

[AdRock]

- Possible linkage.
- Possible rubber line swelling and not disengaging the clutch all the way.
- Possible throwout bearing put in wrong, shifted, caused problem.
- Possible a bolt wasn't tight and came loose somewhere.
- possible clutch fork pivot ball wear
- Possible internal failure in the master or slave causing the fluid to still read full

Exactly what parts were replaced? You say clutch & kit... What's in the kit?

 

[hardyrxp]

Hello thanks for answering my questions. The clutch kit link is below and it has New Perfection Clutch Sets include the following: 1) New O.E.M. style cover assembly, computer tested for clamp load, plate lift, and finger height; 2) New O.E.M. style clutch disc with facings built to exceed O.E.M. specifications; 3) New clutch release bearing meeting or exceeding O.E.M. specifications; 4) New pilot bearing/bushing (where used); 5) Alignment tool for the perfect clutch installation (where available); 6) Hydraulic line disconnect tool (where used)

Also the clutch slave master cylinder was replaced and a new clutch resevoir & cylinder was replaced.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_New-Clutch-Set-Perfection_5330130-P_244_R%7CGRP60006_1251185498___

 

[mechtech2]

Possible anything.