Clutch pedal sideways movement

Hi all. I have a 2010 4cyl with the 5 speed and noticed substantial side to side movement when I first step on the clutch. After it goes down a bit and engages with the metal rod that goes into the master cylinder it straightens out. I have tried searching for similar issues, but couldn't find anything exactly like my issue.

My question is, does this side to side movement on the metal rod cause unnecessary stress onto the master cylinder that could cause leaking or breakage? Has anyone else experienced something similar to what I am experiencing?

I have owned multiple stick shift vehicles in my lifetime and never noticed any side ways movement in the clutch pedal. I just want to be sure this isn't going to cause any issues later on down the road on a new truck.

 

OMG I was just about to make this same post. WTF is this? Mine is the same and it pisses me off like crazy. My truck is only a month old too

 

It's just the POS plastic clutch pedal assembly. My 2008 has done it since new. Dealer says it's normal, even though they replaced the entire clutch pedal assembly last December. It's even more fun when it creaks when you depress the pedal. The clevis & rod assembly broke on mine a couple weeks ago, dealer replaced that, starting to creak again. No noticeable improvement on the side to side movement though. Just a crap design by Toyota.

 

I'm not familiar withthe cluch-pedal design on Tacos, but is there anywhere you could shim it with washers?

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I am glad I am not the only person experiencing this. I will have to take a closer look at it and see if I can tighten it up with some washers or something.

 

I wouldn't call my side to side movement "substantial", but it is noticable, and it certainly is not something I've ever felt on any of a long string of manual vehicles I've driven in the last 50+ years. If anyone finds the right place to add a washer or spacer and a good material (brass, nylon, ...) a post and a picture would be appreciated.

 

When my clutch pedal was replaced last December, the service advisor showed me the new pedal assembly they were installing. He said there are nylon bushings that Toyota says should be installed with no lubrication. He felt there should be some kind of silicone lubricant paste put in to keep them working smoothly, but Toyota doesn't authorize using any & it would void the part warranty. They are just thin nylon & look like they would wear fairly quickly.

 

Like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXtqtTHV6YM

 

Yup, thats it!! Mine moves like that. Dealer says not worse than any new one on the lot they compared mine too.

 

I heard on here somewhere that the rod in the pedal assembly loosens itself in its seat and thats what creaks. He also said that if you twist the rod itself like a quarter turn or whatever that it stops creaking for a while but it will loosen itself again. Loc-tite or something maybe?

I have the same problem in my 08. Really annoying in bumper to bumper traffic. Even more so when theres a car full of cute girls next to you.... -_-

 

Why did they go all cheesy on the 2nd gen clutch assy? The 1st gens weren't like this.

 

I first noticed the sideways movement almost on day 1. Then the creaking sound and it drives me crazy! I've driven manuals all my life and have never seen anything like this before. My friend is a Toyo Tech and I'm taking it in and see what he says. He'll replace the entire assembly if he has to, but like previous posts, I'm not optimistic it will permenatly correct the problem. I'll post again once I get it replaced and give any details provided.

 

Yes my movement is very similar to the video posted. If other people are experiencing this then I guess it is normal for our trucks. I was just concerned because I have never experienced this with any of my other manual transmission vehicles.

Thank you all who replied.

 

i have a 2005 and I've had it ever since i bought it. I've gotten used to it

 

Someone posted a DIY thread on Clutch Pedal Pivot Bushing replacement, all I have to do is find it.

 

my old civic SI was 100 times worse. It was so bad the vibration made it feel like the throw out bearing was gone

 

I know this is an ancient thread but I’m having the same exact issue with my 06 6-speed clutch pedal. Anybody find a fix for this? Dealer wants $800 to replace the whole pedal assembly.

 

Bump

 

I just bought a used 2015 with a 5 speed manual with the same side to side clutch pedal play. I’m wondering if it’s worth it to remove the clutch pedal assembly and rebuild it?

 

If you're going to pull it out, I'd order the FJ Cruiser metal pedal & related parts. It's not awful to get the arm out, but once you do the upper & lower halves of the bracket can move a little (the pivot bolt goes through both) and it's super fun to get everything lined back up to get the bolt back in.

And as far as "rebuilding" it, there's not much to rebuild, the plastic arm rides on a spacer, and the master cylinder is just a ball that just sits in a socket. I think I had about $200 into the metal arm & related parts, plus a new Aisin (aluminum) master cylinder, and then an Aisin slave cylinder since I figured I might as well at that point, rather than cross my fingers I could get the bleeder loose.