Creaky Clutch Pedal Semi-Saga

My clutch pedal has been creaking annoyingly for a while. I could also feel it binding up slightly like unlubricated plastic parts. I tried lubing it with no success and it was unpleasant contorting my body to get into position. So while I was at the dealer for other reasons, I asked them about it while mentioning the TSB and they agreed to fix it under warranty.

To my surprise, they replaced the entire clutch pedal and master cylinder assembly. All that for a creaky clutch pedal?! I’ve since read the TSB and discovered that it is the recommended fix. Interesting.

It took the tech much longer than they estimated to perform the job and when I got the truck back, I noticed the clutch pedal was all funky. I stuck my head under the dash I found that both the pedal height and free play are off by about an 1”. I think the tech neglected to adjust the pedal after installation. Perhaps it was the only clutch pedal he’s seen since tech school.

The height doesn’t bother me, but 1” of play in the pedal before it contacts the pushrod is super annoying. I decided to adjust it myself, but it looks like a bigger job than I expected because the adjustment point is buried under the dash. I’m thinking I’ll just take it back to the dealer, since I’m expecting them to do it at no cost to me other than my time.

I’m starting to regret doing anything about the creaking. It wasn’t driving me to insanity. I much prefer working on motorcycles. A clutch adjustment can be done in a few seconds with no tools. Lol

I have no questions and no rants. I’m just sharing an experience.

 

Had my squeaky clutch pedal assembly replaced about 3 years ago. Been great ever since, no complaints whatsoever.

 

Here is the adjustment procedure:
https://www.ttguide.net/adjustment-1098.html

 

I am now experiencing the creaky clutch pedal, any updates on this? is there a way to lube it?

I am about a month outside my 2 year warranty.

 

Mine was replaced under TSB, I was 3000 miles out of the 36k warranty, but I called Toyota corporate, they covered the full replacement cost($786 at my local dealer) under goodwill repair.

It has been great with the new pedal. There is almost zero free play, the engagement is solid and smooth.

 

I had mine lubed a couple times by the dealer under warranty because I was hoping they'd just replace it but they usually don't since it's so common and usually returns. Disregard the white lithium grease and use polyurethane grease ( I use energy suspension because I already had it and use it for work) petroleum grease will dry the plastic and make the noise more likely to return were as poly grease is silicone based which is nice to plastic and leaves a teflon coat. For long lasting lubrication. I highly recommend applying with gloves or a screwdriver since it's very tacky but haven't had the noise return since.

 

Im rocking the TSB replacement clutch assembly for 38k miles now with zero issues. Can get an occasional creak or two but it’s very short lived.

 

I slathered PTFE Super Lube on all the contact points and that seemed to take care of the issue for me.

 

Made an appointment at the stealership apparently I am still under warranty so I will see what they do.

Will update

 

Dealer called the tech could not replicate the squeaks/creaks.

I drove 40 min to the dealer and the truck warmed up and was doing it but they wouldn’t come listen when I got there. Of course the truck cooled down they took it out twice probably around the block and could not replicate.

What do I do now? Wait for it to get worse? Grease if? Video evidence? I’m still under warranty but tsb does not really cover the ‘21s yet.

Squeaks/ creaks

 

for the trouble of them trying to recreate it and the chance the noise might return, I would just get a little tube of energy suspension grease and apply it to any contact point where you see a plastic to metal relationship that moved when you press the pedal... dealer I went to also told me this is considered a owner maintenance item so I figured no sense in badgering them to replace something if the noise tends to return. Just don't use a petroleum use a silicone based lube is friendlier to the plastic

 

For what it's worth, the parts they put into your truck are the same parts your truck already had. Trucks produced after May 2019 all have the latest parts that the TSB install.

It's relatively easy to adjust, but it is up under the dash, which can be annoying.

Jeff

 

Thoughts on Mac Chemical White lithium grease? How important or how much difference will there be with Teflon added?

 

Use high temperature disc brake grease on all the pivot points and it will take care of the old barn door creaking noise.

 

Or have someone else bring it in next time.

 

Uggghhhh! That cluster, dash and radio are extremely dusty!
What it is not dusty is those two things there…





talking about those two cup holders….



weird right?

 

Call me crazy, but I a little bit of take up in the clutch because i know I can put a little bit of resting weight on it without feeling like I’m riding it.

 

Tech story for customer concern, a classic one is "No problem found."

OR

"road vehicle 15 miles. performed multiple clutch pedal press and depress. Unable to duplicate."

 

The only way to fix it for good is to suffer with an automatic. My three previous ( 88 Xcab and 2 first gens) had creaky clutch pedals, the 97 was the worst. I went so far as to replace the spring bushings...started squeeking again a week later... that bastard drove me nuts.