"95 clutch, RIP...?

[yotapete]

I recently procured a VERY mistreated 1995 4Runner from a family member for a couple of pennies. Didn't run when I had it towed to my house, and fast-forwarding over a year from getting it, I have more-or-less rebuilt or replaced anything on it that makes it move forward. After doing the head gaskets, I decided to hold off on the (obviously hurting) clutch until my wallet was happier.

From the get-go, Frank popped out of 1st gear if I didn't hold it in or if it wasn't 'fully' engaged. Third gear was a big bear to get in, as well, unless I timed the tach on the downswing to slip it in.

About 2 months ago, I noticed that if I held the clutch pedal in for more than a few seconds (ie, backing trailers, crawling up rocks, etc.), it began to lose pressure in the pedal (allowing it to slowly squish towards the firewall), and every once in a while, it just simply wouldn't engage enough to allow me to get into a gear at all. This problem was temporarily mitigated by only using the clutch pedal for as short of a time as I needed to shift gears, and not to 'sit' on it at all. This seemed to work fine until today...

Got in the rig this morning, and the clutch pedal went straight to the floor with no resistance at all. It does recoil to its normal position, when I release my foot from it, but no pressure at all on the downstroke. Interestingly, my clutch-release switch doesn't work either (me's a'thinkin this little side-note might point me towards a closer differential diagnosis for Frank). Also, I'm not even able to turn it over, because the clutch pedal wont engage the clutch for me to start it!

My cousin (whom I got it from) said that he and a friend had done a 'full clutch job' on it a couple of years ago - whatever the hell that means.

Clutch fluid is def a little mucky, but I sucked out as much as I could from the res and added new fluid to the top (every little bit helps!). Based on all of the clutch-related issues, I'm confident that there are a few things going on here. For now, however, I just need the clutch itself to work enough for me to get in and out of a couple of gears. The fact that the pressure/resistance of the clutch pedal would sort of leak out of the pedal if I maintained pressure on it with my foot, leads me to think about hydraulics. The 1st gear and 3rd gear issues, lead me to think that the 'innards' of the system are in cahoots (throwoutbearings?). The quick onset of this recent (today) pedal issue, ie pedal pushing straight into the floor with no resistance, leads me to think about mount bracket or cable or the like...???

Master cylinder? Slave cylinder? Throwout bearings? Clutch plates? Warpdrive fluxfield?

I know enough to get myself into trouble and thought I'd try to elicit some more experienced assistance before I resort to fixing my Huffy Advice & thoughts are much appreciated ~ pete

 

[purevenom1]

Does yours have the clutch kill switch on it on the left of the dash. Close to the dimmer knob. Could need to change master or slave cylinder if its not holding pressure or try to rebleed them at least. As far as popping out of gear and such that could be a bad syncronizer(sp?). Start by rebleeding the clutch hydraulic system and see if that helps. But you should have a clutch kill switch thou.

 

[yotapete]

Does yours have the clutch kill switch on it on the left of the dash. Close to the dimmer knob. Could need to change master or slave cylinder if its not holding pressure or try to rebleed them at least. As far as popping out of gear and such that could be a bad syncronizer(sp?). Start by rebleeding the clutch hydraulic system and see if that helps. But you should have a clutch kill switch thou.

Yes, indeed...I love that little switch. It suddenly wont work though (hmmm...). I agree - a generous bleeding of the entire clutch system is my next step.

If I can push the damn thing into the garage, I'll get on that bleeding tonight! Maybe I'll tow it with my huffy.

Thanks purevenom~

 

[yotapete]

I was wrong. Just hopped in the rig and I was able to start it with my pressure-less pedal, as long as I stomped the pedal all the way down.

Clutch (pedal) still out of commision, however.

Gonna try and force? it into a gear to get it into the back garage fur further inspection and potential bleeding of the clutch system.

 

[purevenom1]

Just take the coil wire off and and put it in first and then crank it over. the starter should turn it over so you can get it in the garage. Had to do that when my timing belt jumped to load on trailer and then off trailer into garage to work on it.