98 RAV4 manual transmission hard shifting when cold

The problem is simple. You have a bad clutch master cyl or a bad slave cyl. I always replace them in pairs. No leak means the leak is a by-pass leak internal to the system. The most obvious failure is the master cyl. Don't rebuild it, replace it. It is a typical cold climate problem with Manual Toyotas with a little age. Be glad you don't have a Ford. The slave Cyl is inside the bell housing.

I also chirp when I am in -20 degree weather. Don't worry about it as long as it doesn't chirp all the time.

The problem is your clutch isn't releasing the transmission from the engine. If you will read my March post I stated that they should be replaced in pairs. You didn't replace the slave cylinder. When they get a little age and the weather is cold they slave will bypass the fluid not allowing the clutch to release entirely. They will show no sign of leakage. As the fluid warms the componets expand and the cylinder will work properly.

They have a life span of about 80K miles in cold weather country and about 120K in warm climate. Rubber/metal components don't like to move in very cold weather.

There is also the possability that your clutch disc is warn coupled with a lazy hydraulic system causing the problem.

Don't force the gears. The transmission is constructed so precise that I have seen them move in neutral in very cold climates. Let it idle a couple of minutes in neutral, clutch out before you move to prevent transmission damage.

I own a 2006 Toyota Tacoma 5spd and it is a bit sluggish in 25 degree weather.

Good luck, let me know

Losone