Clutch Shudder 2nd Gen 4.0 6Spd

Hi Guys,

I have a 2010 Tacoma 4DR, 4.0L 6SP, with a short bed. I bought it at about 37k. It had 2 owners previous to me.

About 8 months ago, I was experiencing a squeek when I let the clutch in an out, I figured out this was covered under a TSB, so I took it into my local Toyota dealer (Oregon) and had it replaced.

While they had the transmission out, they called me and asked if i'd like to have the clutch & pressure plate replaced, because they found that the pressure plate had a little burr in it (uneven)

I had them replace both the Clutch, Pressure plate, and the Throwout bearing was covered under warranty. Note that I got this all done for <$500




Fast forward to today, 8 months later, and about 8000 miles later. My truck just rolled over 48k.

I have been experiencing clutch shudder off of 1st, and in reverse. This is mostly when it is cold out, however it worries me because I have not experienced this since the new clutch was put in.

I called the dealer and asked them if they warranty any of the parts they put in. They do warranty the parts, but if it is determined that I was the reason for a premature wear (such as a hot spot on the clutch, bent pressure plate AGAIN?), That I would be charged for the removal and replacement of the parts (this includes the removal of the transmisson, Not cheap!!!!)



My question to you guys. Do you think this type of behavior is "normal" for a clutch on a cold day? I am typically only seeing it during my drives to work in the morning. I drive a lot of hills and when i am engaging the clutch on a hill from a stop, I get a nasty shudder sometimes.

I'd like to think I drive my truck well enough to say I wasn't the person to wear out a brand new clutch, but that's not out of the question.



I have heard that the pressure plates on these bad boys might just be weak.....


Thanks,
David

 

Hey guys, just a bit more info I've found while browing around the web.

FYI - The first time I took the truck into the shop was for the TSB relating to the Throwout bearing.


It seems like there's been several TSBs relating to the clutch system. =
Saw this on a thread "There are two current TSB's for the clutches. T-SB-0066-11 "clutch slips", and T-SB-0103-11 "clutch chatters". BOTH are valid and target different symptoms."

If anyone has the TSB for the throwout bearing making noise, could you please post it on this thread (at least the number)?

Much appreciated.

 

I have found that a "shuttering" can sometimes occur after an over night rest in DAMP conditions,,,,, as if I drove in the rain a lot the day before. I (in my situation) tends to go away quickly after the engine gets to temp.

 

Thats what im thinking. I think i'm overreacting, it rains everyday in oregon, therefire I get clutch shudder ALL the time. Though during the summer I didn't notice it.

What do you guys think, should I cancel my Saturday appointment with the shop? I don't want to risk being charged $1k+.

 

Same here. Clutch replaced (2009 4-cyl 5 spd) a couple of months ago. Was fine until it got warmer (I live in CT) and only happens when it has rained. Happens only once. Driving me nuts though.

 

I have found this to be this case with mine also. It will "shudder" ,in the morning, after a damp, rainy period, at the first two or three stops I make. This has been pretty much since new. After that it's gone. It's almost as if the flywheel and/ or pressure plate "flash rust" like the front calipers do, sometimes in minutes it seems. I suffered with a chattering clutch years ago in a '65 Mustang. After replacing clutch parts a few times, resurfacing the flywheel ect., it turned out that the clutch pilot bushing specified for that year was too big in I/D. We put in one with a closer fit to the trans input shaft and the problem was gone. THAT type of chatter was felt more in the pedal and the shifter though, not suggesting that is your issue. That kind of thing could ultimately ruin the pressure plate at least or trans input bearing too at worst.

You might have a look at the rear springs for a broken leaf, blown shock, or some other drive line problem if it came on suddenly.

I would also suggest using the parking brake to help when starting off on steep hills. Pull brake,then take up strain on clutch, feed gas and release parking brake simultaneously. That stops rolling back, burning the clutch , and a screaming engine. That will kill a clutch/pressure plate quickly.

P.S. I have 83k so this hasn't killed anything yet.

 

I get the same thing and have been for a couple of years now. I'm at 111,000 miles on the stock clutch and it doesn't make any noise or act strange, other than that first of the morning shudder. I have to stop on a steep uphill too and if I can't 'roll it', it shudders like crazy. I think it's just like a few others have said here. Once it's warmed up and I've driven it a few miles, it's fine.
I'm not worried about it.

 

Re check the torque on the pressure plate bolts, bet they’re loose

 

I’ve had this same issue on my 08 6 speed since new. More noticeable on cold damp mornings the first few take offs. My Subaru did this as well. I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

Yep, it can be finicky, especially when damp. I find if you slip it a tad extra on the first couple of take offs it warms up and starts grabbing more predictably.

 

Just my 2 cents.
Flywheel.

Ask me how I know

 

I do this too haha. 184K miles on stock clutch.

 

Update: It has not rained here in quite a few days. This morning was bright and sunny 55 degrees, no shudder at all, and for the last few days. The weekend will be rainy. We'll see what happens then.

 

Interested to know if your invoice shows if the flywheel was turned down ?
Did the dealership upgrade your master cylinder to the latest and greatest metal one ?
Did the dealership upgrade your slave cylinder to the latest and greatest with the longer spring ?
Did the dealership upgrade the clutch fork ball to the latest and greatest with the wider ball ?
These are all TSB issues that run through to 2015