Clutch not disengaging after repeated use

Hey folks, help me crack this one:

Over the past few weeks I've had several occasions where the friction point on my clutch pedal seemed to change to all the way to the floor. The first few times I could pop it out of gear but the last time it was stuck in gear and the clutch was all the way to the floor so I had to kill it. This only happens when I'm going through a parking garage or backing into a parking spot, so lots of engage-disengage-slip action. If I can get it out of gear and release the pedal, it feels like it's gone limp and slowly returns to normal position. Within a few seconds it's back to proper operation. Fluid level is fine, no leaks anywhere.

Is this a slave cylinder, air in the line or something else? Why is it only on repeated use and fixes itself almost immediately?

Thanks fellas.

 

Check the brake fluid lately?

 

The quality of the fluid in the clutch reservoir or the brake fluid level itself? All of my fluids are at the appropriate level. The color looks a bit dark but it's hard to tell just looking into the reservoir. I don't have a turkey baster to take a sample out.

 

If the brake fluid levels are ok, I would say the slave is on the way out.

 

If I ask nicely, can you give me a more favorable answer? I guess it could be worse.

 

Hows it going man, Literally went through this earlier this week.
I had the Slave Cyl and the Master Cyl for the clutch replaced and it seemed to take care of my problems. The damage was close to $400 from my mechanic with toyota parts. My old fluid was coffee black so I kinda imagine that bleeding the system would have been a good place to start but I just wanted to be sure everything was working 100% and wouldn't leave me stranded (I drive to remote areas). My pedal was having a tough time returning sometimes and the truck failed to come out of gear without pumping the clutch. No leaks or otherwise damage.

Hope this helps haha.

 

Thanks for the input man! Yeah, bleeding the clutch would probably be a good place to start. Also, $400 is not bad at all with Toyota parts.

 

Yeah Ill have to check the bill and check on the totals. They generally help me out a bit since I bring them a lot of business Haha.

 

Good news, the master and the slave are each only $25 non-Yota. I rechecked my slave and it looks oily but everything around it is a greasy mess from over-lubing the front drive shaft. Anyway, for $25 I'm just going to replace it and bleed it once instead of bleeding it, realizing it didn't fix it, replacing it and bleeding it again. After reading up on it more I'm pretty confident that's the problem. My master still looks pretty air tight. I'll keep everyone posted with the results.

Any thoughts on an aluminum vs cast slave? Same warranties, same price. Aluminum doesn't rust...

 

I have some information within this post that may help you diagnose this . The FSM for your truck is listed lower down in the thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...on-your-5-speed-transmission-write-up.338836/

 

That is an outstanding compilation of resources. Thank you good sir!

 

I wonder if your clutch skills need some work??

Is your clutch getting hot then cools down and works fine ??

I hope you want with Aisin Aftermarket or you might get lucky

 

Fixed!

I replaced the slave cylinder and that didn't do it but it was only $28. The slave looked to be the original Aisin.

I then replaced the master cylinder because it was the only logical thing left. $24.99 and that was the ticket. The AutoZone special's plunger that attaches to the pedal broke before we even got the truck started, but the OEM one screwed right on. So, with a Frankin-master in place we tested it out and I've had zero problems. My fluid looked like trash so that probably led to its untimely demise. The last guy may not have changed it in the 236,000 he had put on it. Make me think I should get to bleeding my brakes sometime soon...

Anyway, thanks for the help guys. Overall still a very cheap fix.

 

2 week update:

The AutoZone part is trash. My clutch went spongy yesterday, I checked my reservoir and it was bone dry. The master cylinder was leaking around the piston rod into the cab of my truck. Looks like I'll be ordering an OEM part for next weekend...

I used to be an OEM only kinda guy...then I tried to get a radiator and they were backordered for months and 4X the price of aftermarket. I don't think everything on my truck needs to be $Toyota$, but I'm going to be much more choosey about what I get aftermarket from here on out. 2 weeks, what trash.

 

I've had problems with AutoZone master cylinders, too. Unless it's an emergency I won't buy parts from them anymore. Spark plugs, sure. Oils and the like are fine. But their house brand is rolling the dice.

 

Any suggestions of a good online OEM supplier? I used to use Toyota of Dallas but I don't think they sell to individuals anymore.

 

https://www.marlincrawler.com/clutch/hydraulics

 

Thanks! Much better prices than I was finding elsewhere.

 

Follow up: I installed the Aisin part yesterday, everything seems to be working well. I couldn't figure out why my cruise control wouldn't engage and then I realized the clutch pedal wasn't returning all the way to the sensor/button. I adjusted it out to factory specs per the FSM and everything is working perfectly now. Just thought I'd share so those who come after me don't get stumped by the same issue.

 

Awesome thanks for the follow up. I'm sure the next person to run into this issue will be very happy you posted this.