Clutch Pedal Creeking, Rough Engagement, Side Play

Hi all,

I've read plenty about clutch pedal spring and bushing problems. I can't quite pinpoint the issue with my truck - 2013, 37k mile, 2.7 5sp.

I have a loud creaking in the clutch pedal (which I can also feel) and inconsistent engagement in the pedal. As the pedal creeks it seems to catch/release and makes for pretty harsh shifting.

The three remedies I've tried that I read about:

1) I sprayed the linkage with a lubricant. The noise was gone and the engagement smooth, for about a day. Then it came back as bad as ever.

2) I've rotated the pushrod in small increments - no change.

3) I removed the torsion spring. This has made the biggest difference to date in enagement feel, much smoother. However, the creeking is twice as loud without the spring.

The Pedal has a lot of side to side play. I believe the creeking and side to side play in the pedal are from worn out bushings at the pedal pivot or possibly worn out plastic on the pedal itself. Has anyone replaced these? It looks like it may just be a single through bolt that secures the pedal but it is really difficult to see up there. Can anyone confirm/deny? I'll mention that this issue came on quickly, probably over the course of a month and in that time I found my shifts become rougher and engagement from a stop bucky at time, all corresponding with the creek in the pedal.

 

The creaking is not in the linkage, it is in the pedal itself. Spray the bushing where the pedal pivots with lithium or silicone and see if that helps.

Don't use wd40 that is not a lubricant

 

Hi,

I've attempts just that with two different lubricants. The first I tried was a garage door lubricant. I used this because it is safe for plastic. It smoothed operation and eliminated the noise for about a day. The second one I tried was white lithium grease which did not help at all.

I too agree that the problem is where the pedal pivots. I believe the bushings are damaged and also allow for the excessive side/side motion on the pedal.

Looking for anyone who has replaced those bushings for any tips. I can barely see up there but it looks like a single through bolt holds it together.

 

Isn't there a TSB for this?

 

Don't believe the TSB covers 2013.

 

Yes there should be a tsb

 

It does. Had mine done a few months back.

 

Have there TSB #?

Would love to make this Toyota's headache instead of my own. Only info I found for TSB on clutch pedal applied ton2005-2012.

 

I'll try an look for the paperwork later this afternoon

 

I have had good luck with lithium grease. If you get it worked into the pivots it should last for awhile. I did it last spring and didn't hear the clutch make any noise until just a couple weeks ago on a 90 degree day. With the warm weather on the way, I need to do this again soon.

 

I did find a TSB that seems to cover 2013, T-SB-0186-12.

TSB here: http://www.toyotaparts.metro-toyota.com/TSB-0186-12-Clutch-Pedal-Squeak-Noise.pdf

It does state it only applies to vehicles warrantied in the 3yr/36k mile period.

The best thing that came out of it is a few diagrams. Other than the cramped workspace, this looks easy to take apart, especially given that I've previously removed the torsion spring. Looks like it comes down to 1 bolt through the pivot and the pedal assembly should pull clear.

I just can't seem to locate a part # for replacement bushings and possibly pedal shaft collar.

 

TSB covers 2013 - ask me how I know... Had mine replaced last summer and the squeak is back. There's a thread on TW (have to find it) showing how to disassemble the pedal assy along with the lube points.

 

I'll see if I can find the thread you reference. Stinks that the TSB fix is to temporary. They must put the same/similar faulty parts back in or simply just grease it.

I saw a thread somewhere where a guy used bronze bushings - I believe it was a 1st generation though. That would be a nice longer term fix.

 

This is it...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ultimate-fix-for-squeaky-clutch-pedal.389145/

 

@SlipperyTaco had some lubricant that he let me use on my clutch pedal spring several weeks back when we were out wheeling, it worked like a charm. My clutch used to creak like a giant wooden castle drawbridge, now it's quiet as an Amish wife at the dinner table.

I forget what it was called though....

 

you can search recalls and TSBs by vin to be sure

 

vssman, thanks. ThE thread you linked is really helpful. I'm going to give that a try. I guess it's a matter of finding what grease will work best, he used dielectric grease which I have by it doesn't seem like the best option. Lithium grease is also pretty thin stuff that might run out sooner than later. I might have some Energy Suspension poly control arm bushing grease leftover. I think it may work well, plastic safe, thick and tacky.

 

Thought I'd conclude my thread.

I took the clutch pedal out of the truck and cleaned everything with Prep Clean. The pedal pivot bushings appear to be factory installed dry. I lubricated them with a product called Aladdin Magic Lube, which is designed for swimming pool o-rings between pic connections. As a pool owner I had it on hand and the packaging indicates it is both plastic and rubber safe. The bushings, pivot shaft, pushrod cavity and pushrod pivot points on master cylinder connection all received lubrication.

Result - no noise whatsoever and a silky smooth clutch pedal. The clucth is much smoother and consistent every time. I am very happy with the outcome and I'm glad I did t bring to Toyota for a fix. The Aladdin Magic Lube is extremely stick and viscous and I imagine it will last a good long while before reapplication is necessary.

As a final note, I believe the source of the noise was the point of contact between the master cylinder pushrod and the plastic clutch pedal. This was the only place I found factory lubricant and it was dried/hardened.

Thanks all.