Clutch not releasing

The clutch on my 99 Tacoma was replaced about a year ago. Right before it needed replacement it was experiencing similar issues where sometimes the clutch doesn't spring back to the normal position getting caught halfway to the floor. Rarely does it stick to the floor. My solution is just to nudge it up with my foot.

The mechanic I spoke to over the phone mentioned something about master and slave cylinders and quoted me at around $500 for repair. I have no idea what he was talking about. I'm wondering is there anything I can do to help fix this issue? I don't have many repair skills but if there's anything I can try any help would be appreciated.

 

Welcome aboard new member
Check the clutch mechanism under dash for spring and fork above pedal and at firewall.

 

Welcome to TW Tacovibes.

I would start by taking a look at the pedal assembly like Black Dog Lila suggested. There is a torsion spring used in the v6 Tacos that can wear through bushings and cause issues. I replaced mine with a $4 linear spring (P/N 90507-14030) and have been pretty happy with it. The master cylinder provides most of the force for the pedal to return to the top position, however the last couple of inches make use of the spring tension. First step is to determine if your issue is the spring & pedal assembly or the clutch hydraulics.

I just recently replaced my clutch master and slave cylinder. The Aisin master is $36 and the slave is $22 on Rockauto. It's really not a difficult job, took me around 2 hours. Main tools needed are a metric socket set, a 10mm flare nut wrench, and I would highly recommend a vacuum bleeder. Parts and tools included you should be able to do that job for around $100.

This new video from Timmy shows how the torsion spring works and also how to remove the master cylinder and bleed the system.

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

 

Definitely check the hydraulics if you ruled out the spring and pedal. Make sure the reservoir is full of clean fluid first, you can also look to see if the slave cylinder is experiencing full throw. Have someone push the pedal and look underneath see if it extends all the way and then release and see if retracts all the way, it works pretty similarly to the rear wheel cylinders. Like others said it is cheap and not too difficult to replace the slave and master. I just replaced my slave cylinder, it took about 45 minutes. Only hard part was getting the hydraulic line off of the slave cylinder there isn't much room. I was able to get to it through the wheel well. The only other thing I could think of is bad pressure plate in the clutch assembly...not sure if it would give the same symptoms though somebody else would have to confirm. I think that's more related to the clutch not disengaging all the way and having a hard time shifting not necessarily pedal issues.

 

Thank you everyone for your replies and for welcoming me to the forum! I was hoping I would possibly be able to do this myself. However, I know nothing and I don't have a jack or anything to get under my vehicle. I know I should probably learn how to do this myself. Anyway, I'm new to Pittsburgh, PA and am looking for a mechanic. After calling around and getting all those wild quotes like $500 and derogatory things said about 99 Tacomas (there aren't alot of those around...guess this guy hasn't been to California). My last mechanic had one and to me that's a great sign of a vehicle if your mechanic owns one. Anyways, two weeks ago I called in for an appointment for the following week. I go and they say they have no booking for me. I make another appointment for the next week. I go today and two hours later they call saying they can't work on it because the advice I wrote on a piece of paper was offensive. I just copied and pasted some of your responses. I honestly just thought it would speed up their work since they clearly don't see these vehicles much. Oh man was I wrong. Anyways, now I'm still stuck with my broken clutch.

 

Not sure what was offensive about mine or Goldentaco03's post. Probably either assumed you were lecturing them about how to do the work, or perhaps thought you would balk at their parts pricing after I said it was a $100 job.

If you're open to doing this job, you don't need a jack. Just some simple tools, and a bit of patience. Watch a few Youtube videos of this job on different cars and you'll understand how to do it.

If you don't want to do the work, I'd be prepared to pay about $200 in parts and $200-300 in labor. Let the mechanics make the diagnosis themselves, these hydraulic clutch systems are really pretty simple and if you can do the job in a Honda Civic you can do it in a Tacoma.

 

See if there’s some members from the Pittsburgh area that might be able to help you, I know there’s a bunch from Eastern PA.

Post here, introduce yourself, explain your situation, and I'm sure somebody will be able to help:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pennsylvania.10467/page-2724