Replacing the clutch soon, any tips?

I've had my '99 extended cab 4x4 2.7L 5 speed Tacoma for about seven years (wow, can't believe it's been that long!) it has around 120,000 miles on it. Lately it just doesn't seem to be shifting all that well, kinda harsh feeling when it engages. Now truth be told, I was still working on manual shifting when I bought the truck. Prior to the Tacoma all I had driven was a 94 Jeep and 69 F100 occasionally - so the Tacoma's clutch has had a little abuse.

My guess is that the clutch is nearing the end of it's lifespan, which sucks. Have many of you other TW memebers had to replace a clutch? How many miles should I be able to get out of a clutch roughly? Also, is it feasible to replace it myself - I'm fairly mechanically inclined, but I like to know what I'm getting into before I start.

 

Hi, I replaced my clutch about 3,000 miles ago. My Dad and I did it fairly easy (if you have all the tools) My clutch was the original and it had just over 150k. I recommend replacing the flywheel as well, while you have it apart. It's pretty straight forward, but you definitely need others to help (tranny is heavy!)

I bet there are really good write-ups on this forum if you search.

Oh and welcome to TW!!

 

Lots of variables to clutch wear & tear i.e; driver habits, types of driving, people who tow alot etc; before you go out & start spending $$$ whats going on with it ? Is it slipping ? Is there any clutch "chatter" when you take off ? Does it start to release (engage) when the pedal is close to the floorboard or is it at the end of the pedal? (most the way out) I wouldn't necessarily replace the flywheel unless it couldn't be resurfaced, generally a clutch R&R consist of new friction disc (clutch), new pressure plate, new throwout bearing, pilot bearing where applicable, bleeding master & slave cylinders, replace if leaking. Make sure you mark the location of U joint & yoke bolt up before you take any bolts loose (this is so you bolt it back together in its original location) Its pretty straight forward though with a little mech. knowledge & some basic tools......you can do it !!

 

Hmmm... I'll have to take a quick test drive to get a better description - gotta run in to school (Landscape Architecture Sr - U.Idaho) to set up my studio space anyhow...

MOST of it's life with me has been pretty easy going. Aside from it's early gear grinding and riding the clutch a bit too long trauma, it has pretty much been a daily driver. I don't do all that much offroading, other than forest service roads. The past year introduced towing to the mix, and hauling quite a bit of bulk goods for landscaping. Half a cubic yard of gravel is pretty frickin' heavy for those not in the know. But with heavy loads I tried to be careful - avoiding bumps, driving slowly, slow take offs, generous braking distances, avoiding unnecessary shifting, and so on.

The Tacoma has always been pretty well maintained. I change oil & grease zerks at 3,000 mile intervals, air filter @ 15,000. Scheduled maintenance is kept up to snuff, tires rotated @ 5,000 miles... the whole bit. Drive fluids were all replaced at 100,000. I try to take care of it.

As for it "slipping", I've heard the term but never driven a vehicle with a slipping clutch to my knowledge. But maybe it is... a couple weeks ago it slipped out of gear while parked, hit the corner above the passenger tail light, spun the dumpster, gouged paint all the way down, broke the mirror, and put a good sized dent in the extended cab panel. $3,800 insurance claim later, it's about to be painted. Since then, I've been putting it in a gear gate facing the downhill side of the slope I park on and tightened up the parking brake. If the clutch is worn out, maybe it contributed to the problem?

Thanks for the welcome guys! I appreciate the help!

 

Haha, wow sorry about the wreck, the slipping part is pretty easy to figure, just go thru the gears from a stop , & I don't mean like a standing 1/4 mile start like a funny car, just accelerate a little more aggressively than usual & when you shift watch your tach & listen for "over revving' of your engine & if the revs go up but you can't "feel" your truck gaining speed as well good chance you have some slipping going on. & if your doing some heavy hauling as you said then you probably ARE slipping it a bit to get momentum.....

 

It's slipping a little... I used the half helper spring / Ubolt mod, which seemed to help a lot of the problem "clunk" noise. I hope the clutch can hold out until this summer - especially if I can get my FCIP internship and actually make half way decent money

 

I had an 01 Tacoma that was slipping a little bit. I adjusted the clutch pedal using a nut behind the dash. It fixed my problem and I never had another issue with the clutch. Saved me gobs of money! Don't know if that helps any but I thought I'd mention it. Also if you do replace the clutch I definitely agree with TacomaJack! I replaced a clutch in a 92 yota and needed 2 of my buddies help...even with a tranny jack!