185K miles, original clutch has gradually become harder to depress

As the title says, I’m still on my original clutch and while the actual engagement isn’t an issue, it has gradually become harder to depress. This is my daily driver, and it’s becoming an issue. Changing the clutch hydraulic fluid hasn’t made a difference.

With 185K miles, this clutch isn’t going to last forever. If this were your truck, would you get the whole clutch replaced in the hopes that it’ll feel like it did when the truck was new? Is there something else in the clutch that could be replaced and solve the problem, and be less expensive?

 

@Taco critter

You ever encounter this with Kelly’s ‘96 T4R?

 

Also look at the clutch pedal assembly, bushings wear out, and if not addressed the spring/pedal wear against each other. (meaning metal on metal)
This can make the pedal feel stiff, and in some cases not retract properly, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y22pmMqHULw

 

I watched the entire video posted above, unfortunately, I don’t have the means to take on that kind of job. I do suspect that the clutch pedal is worn where it interfaces with the middle of the torsion spring, though, as I’ve lubricated that exact spot before to get rid of creaking. Whether this wear can be blamed for the pedal being harder to depress, I don’t know. I suppose if it changed the geometry significantly inside the assembly, it might.

I suppose the best way to proceed would be to have the clutch pedal assembly rebuilt first before touching the clutch itself. It probably needs that anyway.

Thank you for the replies.

 

Note you can remove the clutch pedal assy without disconnecting all the clutch hydraulics, makes the job quicker.
Two 12mm nuts at the master cylinder, one bolt under the dash, pin on the pedal, two electrical connectors and it's free to come out.

 

You might try doing the linear clutch spring mod. That torsion spring on the v6 clutch pedal is more trouble than it's worth in my experience. You can replace it with a $2 #70 spring from Ace Hardware, or the $4 Toyota spring (90507-14030). Pedal feels better after the change and there are no plastic bushings to get worn down. It's a relatively quick job, you can remove the torsion spring without removing the pedal assembly, you just have to be a little flexible..



Here's a thread on the mod: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clutch-squeak-linear-spring-swap-tw-how-to.159429/

 

Agree on the linear spring, a guy I know just did this on his V6 4WD Tacoma. He put in a new clutch and was having issues, turned out to be the pedal.
It's interesting on the 5 lug Tacomas they used the linear spring set up. The tab for the linear spring is present on all Tacomas, (on the body structure
under the dash) so the conversion is fairly easy.