recurring clutch issue

Hi all, newbie here, hope this isn't the wrong place...

My 2001 Tacoma came with a clutch problem: after a lot of clutch use in a short time, e.g. in a traffic jam, the pedal wouldn't come back up and I couldn't change gears anymore. Had the master cylinder replaced, that solved it. But about 5000 miles later, it came back. Replaced master and slave, and it was better, though not perfect; but now another 1000 miles later, same problem again. In all cases, it improves when the car sits e.g. overnight; but it comes back quicker and quicker.

I don't think more cylinder replacing will help. Should I replace the whole clutch assembly? Does a worn clutch fit the symptoms? It has 180K miles, so it could well be due, but I'd hate to have the work done and find the problem is still there, or comes back in another 1000 miles.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

Are you replacing the parts with OEM, or aftermarket?

As well, what did the fluid look like coming out of the cylinder when draining it to replace it?

Also, this is in the wrong subforum.

You may want to PM a mod and have them move it to the first gen section.

You're gonna be a lot more likely to get a response there instead of the wheels/tires.

BUT WELCOME ALL THE SAME!

 

AND a little bit more here, does the clutch slip at all? and how far out do you have to release the pedal to get engagement of the clutch?

 

Thanks for your replies even if it is the wrong forum ;-) No, the clutch doesn't slip at all. The parts were not OEM. I need to depress the pedal quite far; when I bought it (used, of course, at 160K miles) it already seemed a little low to me, and now it is definitely low. I didn't look at the fluid, dumb!

 

I'll contact a mod as soon as one is online

 

Oh wait, "and how far out do you have to release the pedal to get engagement of the clutch" - um, not far - it engages at about the same level as it releases. Which right now is pretty much on the floor...

 

Hmmm.

Do you happen to recall the brand you used?

I'm going to say this, the cheapo replacement parts, I have NEVER found one that I've found satisfactory for using in drivetrain/braking applications because the rubber will swell/shrink in brake fluid/gas.

I would recommend rebleeding the system to see if that helps the problem at all; in conjunction with that, check to see where the engagement is and if it changes between pre/post bleeding.

 

Bought the parts at Autozone, but the brand - no idea...

 

Duralast?

 

I'm not a fan of non OEM hydraulic parts.

Get a set of Toyota Aisin Master and Slave.