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Toyota Tacoma Clutch Issues

94 messages,  Last post on Oct 08, 2012 at 10:26 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Tacoma, Toyota, Truck

Messages Page 8 of 10

#65 of 94 Re: 2006 Tacoma 4L X Runner [dlightsey] by thespivas

Mar 02, 2011 (10:38 am)

Replying to: dlightsey (May 27, 2008 4:56 pm)
Hi, I was just wondering if you have contacted Toyota Corporation and expressed concerns of a recall with the Tacomas? I have a 2008 Tacoma 4X4 and 1/25/2010 the clutch assembly was replaced along with the flywheel being resurfaced. Toyota covered this under warranty. I put it in the service dept for repairs yesturday 3/1/2011 they called me that afternoon and told me the clutch, throwout bearing and flywheel all were once again needing to be replaced, only this time warranty would not cover it. My cost is $1,300.00. My concern is that it will happen again and again. I have read on this forum where over and over this is happening to Tacoma owners but if you call Toyota Corp they will tell you that there have been no other reports with this problem from consumers. The only way they can research a recall is if consumers call in. I have an active case number with this concern and am hoping that they will cover my repairs because of defect. If you have not called them please do so they can see that there are other owners having these issues. The number is 1-800-331-4331.
Thank you,
Belinda

#66 of 94 Re: Tacoma 2008 clutch trouble [runningboy150] by thespivas

Mar 02, 2011 (10:42 am)

Replying to: runningboy150 (Feb 25, 2010 6:35 pm)
Hi, I was just wondering if you have contacted Toyota Corporation and expressed concerns of a recall with the Tacomas? I have a 2008 Tacoma 4X4 and 1/25/2010 the clutch assembly was replaced along with the flywheel being resurfaced. Toyota covered this under warranty. I put it in the service dept for repairs yesturday 3/1/2011 they called me that afternoon and told me the clutch, throwout bearing and flywheel all were once again needing to be replaced, only this time warranty would not cover it. My cost is $1,300.00. My concern is that it will happen again and again. I have read on this forum where over and over this is happening to Tacoma owners but if you call Toyota Corp they will tell you that there have been no other reports with this problem from consumers. The only way they can research a recall is if consumers call in. I have an active case number with this concern and am hoping that they will cover my repairs because of defect. If you have not called them please do so they can see that there are other owners having these issues. The number is 1-800-331-4331.
Thank you,
Belinda

#67 of 94 Re: 2010 clutch noise [thespivas] by wwest

Mar 03, 2011 (10:02 am)

Replying to: thespivas (Mar 02, 2011 10:28 am)
Since the clutch assembly is considered a normal wear item, like brakes, tires, etc, I find myself surprised it was repaired/replaced under warranty.....were I a service manager, absent TSB coverage, that would have NEVER happened.
 
"..all needed to be replaced.."
 
ODO mileage..?
 
"...my concern is that it will happen again and again.."
 
Your concern is warranted, IT WILL...!!
 
But only every 30,000 to 80,000 miles.
 
~30,000 if the clutch is put to severe use, lots of 4WD mode use, especially if that sometimes involves unwarranted, inadvertent, use on tractive conditions.
 
~50,000 if you must endure winters in say, Cut bank MT.
 
~80,000 if the 4WD mode is rarely used, say use in the Seattle area and ONLY when warranted.
 
Even less than 30,000 if 4X4 mode is often used, NEEDED for use, regardless of conditions.
 

#68 of 94 Re: Tacoma 2008 clutch trouble [thespivas] by wwest

Mar 03, 2011 (10:24 am)

Replying to: thespivas (Mar 02, 2011 10:42 am)
"..over and over this is happening to Tacoma owners.."
 
Yes, no doubt.
 
My judgment is that these days very few buyers, the majority actually, of true 4X4 vehicle owners have a good understanding of just what the "PART-TIME" descriptive words truly mean. This "pool" of knowledge has been contaminated, HIGHLY contaminated, by the unwarranted use of the 4WD term when what the vehicle really, ACTUALLY, is, is a R/awd or a patently UNSAFE F/awd system. Basically an AUTOMATIC "AWD" system, or even worse an AWD system which must be "enabled" by the driver.
 
In the normal sense a driver enabled "AWD" system would be a good thing, but in this case that only leads to the confusion between enabling an "AWD" system vs switching a "part-time" 4WD system "on".
 
Confusion between the 2 can easily lead to inadvertent, IMPROPER, engagement of part-time 4WD systems wherein damage to the drive train might be the direct result, SOON.
 
Obviously the dealers, and most especially the dealer salespersons, are of NO HELP. Dealer sales and therefore profits are dependent on the cloud of confusion remaining as to what constitutes a true 4WD system, "PART-TIME" 4WD system, vs one of these mostly nonfunctional and patently unsafe (in actual adverse roadbed conditions) F/awd systems.
 
How many buyers today purchase one of these patently UNSAFE F/awd vehicles thinking they are getting adverse roadbed performance equivalent to an actual 4WD system..?

#69 of 94 clutch by drs0118

Apr 04, 2011 (2:33 pm)

i have a 2008 toyota tacoma 4x4.i changed the bed of the truck when i got it to put a toolbox bed on it.i snow plow and fixed that all way.i am on my fourth clutch.this last one has less then a thousand miles on it......i contacted toyota and they said since i altered the truck they couldnt do anything.they are making the clutches differently now.i had a 1996 tacoma 4x4 and it had over 196,000 miles on it and i snow plowed with it and i never had this problem.any suggestions.

#70 of 94 2007 Tacoma clutch by samr2

Apr 27, 2011 (8:01 pm)

2007 Tacoma ,4cyl , stick, 42K, truck was not started for over a month, sat in garage. First time I started it , clutch pedal went to floor and stayed there, I pulled pedal up and depressed it a few times and it was ok for about a month. Today I depressed clutch and pedal went to floor and stayed there again. I pulled it up but now it keeps going to floor and not returning. I tried to shift when pedal was at floor, but made grinding sound of clutch not engaging. Anyone had this problem? I never had any problem before it was idle for that month. Also, anyone know where I might find service manual online and diagram of clutch mechanism? Thanks Sam

#71 of 94 Re: 2007 Tacoma clutch [samr2] by samm43

Apr 27, 2011 (8:23 pm)

Replying to: samr2 (Apr 27, 2011 8:01 pm)
While fairly unusual for a vehicle only 4 years old, this sounds like a clutch slave cylinder issue. Sometimes quick lube shops leave a lid off reservoirs, and just like the brake mastercylinder, the clutch uses brake fluid which is designed to absorb water. (even moisture out of the air if cap is not in place properly or left off too long during servicing). My guess, is this might have caused this issue, but more probably was just a faulty seal within the clutch slave cylinder.
 
The cheapest (temporary, or permanent, but not guaranteed to work given what we know so far over the internet) fix would be to simply flush the old fluid out by gravity syphoning the old fluid out and bleed the air out after adding new fluid. The service manual and a friend can help you with this procedure. It is exactly like bleeding air from a wheel cylinder on your brakes only simpler as there is just the one slave cylinder to deal with.
 
It is surprising you had success with the first pumping after the one month sit. I do suspect a bad seal. (dried out and prematurely failed due to the one month sit). So with this in mind, you probably need a new slave cylinder or internal kit. Not expensive. If you add fluid now, it may pump again enough to get you to the garage without a tow if you don't want to tackle this relatively easy job yourself. I say that, not being sure how hard the slave cylinder is to get at on your truck.
 
Sam

#72 of 94 Re: 2007 Tacoma clutch [samm43] by samr2

Apr 27, 2011 (8:58 pm)

Replying to: samm43 (Apr 27, 2011 8:23 pm)
Thanks for the information. Yeah, I am thinking the problem was caused by the truck sitting in the garage for over a month. I had no issues at all prior to that. A few more questions: Where is the clutch reservoir located? I would like to check the level but don't know where it is. Does this take a special fluid or brake fluid? Is the slave cylinder located near the clutch pedal or in the engine compartment? I don't have a manual. Is there anyplace online you know of where I could see a diagram of the clutch mechanism?
 
Thanks again, your help is greatly appreciated
 
Sam

#73 of 94 Re: 2007 Tacoma clutch [samr2] by samm43

Apr 28, 2011 (9:41 am)

Replying to: samr2 (Apr 27, 2011 8:58 pm)
You're welcome, but I can't help you on all detail points here as I have never had a Tacoma, but I can help in a general way as most setups are much the same. It will use brake fluid. I am all but certain of this. I can't see any reason Toyota would use anything but that. Probably a DOT 3 or 4 but check in your owner's manual as it will likely state that and the quantity. It will be very little, only few oz. The reservoir (atop the clutch master cylinder) is most likely on the firewall or fender in the engine bay. It will be very small so easy to miss. My guess is about 1.75" in dia. and 3" high? There will be a line that goes down to the transmission. Follow that line and it will take you to the slave cylinder which is usually attached right on the transmission. It will have a pushrod and/or lever (may not be noticeable on the exterior tho) that activates the clutch inside. Your actual problem could be in the slave or master cylinder.
 
I forgot to Google, but you should be able to. I would start by Googling:
- online shop manual for 2007 Tacoma
- 2007 Tacoma diagram of clutch slave cylinder
- 2007 Tacoma forums - help with clutch slave cylinder diagnosing/replacement
 
- etc
 
I did find this link that will help you understand how they work and it has some pics.
 
http://www.hurst-drivelines.com/files/Clutch_Linkage_Installation_Tips.pdf
 
Sam

#74 of 94 Re: 2007 Tacoma clutch [samm43] by samr2

May 21, 2011 (6:35 pm)

Replying to: samm43 (Apr 28, 2011 9:41 am)
Thanks for you help, Sam. I ended up replacing both the master and slave cylinders. I think the problem was the Master cylinder,but for an extra $20 figured I change both just in case. Was a relatively simple job. Removing the master was a job, but installing both took about 1.5 hours. Working ok, now, Again, thanks for your help
 
Sam

Messages Page 8 of 10

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