Rustling/Shuffling sound from 2.7L 5 Speed

My truck makes a rustling or crackling sound when I press the clutch pedal. Once I let the clutch out, the noise stops. It doesn't happen every time I press the clutch pedal, and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. It does happen more frequently when I downshift, and does not start until I shift the lever into the lower gear. Searching other car sites has lead me to believe it is a bearing issue - either a throw-out bearing, pilot bearing or input shaft bearing. Really hoping it's just a pilot bearing. Anyone else have this happen? What ended up being the culprit?

 

@ahspurlock ... TW mechanic?

 

yea it sounds like a bearing issue . asfore as a pilot bearing i know the 4.0 does not have one not sure on the 2.7. with out looking at it i would have to say the throw out bearing would be the issue . what kind of miles do you have on the truck and has the clutch ever been changed out before

 

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I also believe it is the throw out bearing, but I have never worked on Toyotas before. The truck has 140k on it (I bought it at 70k). The clutch has never been replaced. I was going to replace the clutch anyways if this ended up being a throw out bearing issue, but only because I will have taken the transmission out already. Aside from the noise, the clutch still feels and drives fine. I want to make sure I don't need any other parts while I am under there. It would suck to take the transmission off and replace certain parts only to have the sound continue. Thanks for your input.

What clutches do you like? I am thinking of going OEM (Exedy or Aisin). There are so many threads on here with mixed reviews and back and forth on aftermarket clutches.

 

yea when i do clutches i like to stay with OEM parts they are little bit more money but you know you have the right parts . aftermarket you just dont know what you have till you have it aprt and find out

 

Thanks for the help. I will let you know how this all turns out.

 

no problem