Help Please - Gearbox Won't Come Away From Engine

[dilligaf76]

Can anyone help? I am trying to change the clutch on a Avensis and I have taken all the bolts out around the bell housing, drive shafts out, gearbox mounts off etc.. but it just will not come free properly. The gearbox has come away partially from the engine but it's as if there is still a bolt in when there isn't. Can anyone help me with this?

[stevieturbo]

is it a pull or push type clutch ?

[dilligaf76]

Hi, it's a hydraulic clutch and it pushes the arm... I just don't understand why it wont budge anymore even with a pry bar, there's a definite gap around the bell housing.

[finlo]

Could pushing the clutch pedal down help to push them apart?

[stevieturbo]

dilligaf76 said:

Hi, it's a hydraulic clutch and it pushes the arm... I just don't understand why it wont budge anymore even with a pry bar, there's a definite gap around the bell housing.

Not the same thing.

Although googling Avensis clutches, most images seem to be a regular push type.

How much is the gap, and is it all the way around ?

There is a chance the input shaft splines are seized onto the disc, although it's unlikely.

[Wiry PAYE]

Hi

Is there an external arm that the slave cylinder operates? If so is the arm going tight as you pull the box back?

[Boosted LS1]

Always look for a hidden bolt.

[jeff666]

It could be stuck on a locating dowel.

They tend to be steel in an alloy gbox and they can be a bugger sometimes.

[dilligaf76]

stevieturbo said:

Not the same thing.

Although googling Avensis clutches, most images seem to be a regular push type.

How much is the gap, and is it all the way around ?

There is a chance the input shaft splines are seized onto the disc, although it's unlikely.

Well the gap at the top is less than the bottom, it’s almost as if there’s a bolt but still in there but I can’t see one for the life of me. I was thinking along the lines of the gearbox shaft somehow has welded itself to the clutch?

[OldGermanHeaps]

Possible if the clutch has been overheating for a long time.

[finlo]

dilligaf76 said:

Well the gap at the top is less than the bottom, it’s almost as if there’s a bolt but still in there but I can’t see one for the life of me. I was thinking along the lines of the gearbox shaft somehow has welded itself to the clutch?

If there was even a single fully tightened bolt you wouldn't get any separation at all.

[NMNeil]

finlo said:

If there was even a single fully tightened bolt you wouldn't get any separation at all.

Depends on how big a pry bar he used

[CrutyRammers]

Check if you need the remove the arm first! I made this mistake with a Honda box, exactly as the op describes, it comes apart a little but then won't budge. The arm needed to be unclipped first, or its still holding against the release bearing.

[dilligaf76]

Just to let everyone know who tried to help me out that I have finally got the job done. It turned out that the gearbox just required a little bit more brute force before it decided to let go from the engine. All back together again now with a new clutch, happy days...
Thanks for all the messages guys :-)