Pulsating clutch, but only at certain speeds. Weird?

[greko96]

98 4runner. 198,000miles.

Just got back from North Carolina trip (I live in IL). On way back, clutch started to vibrate/pulsating really really bad when pushing down on clutch to shift BUT this only occurs at speeds of 50+. Anything lower and you can't tell anything is wrong. Also, I am able to shift into every gear just fine at all speeds. It's obvious I have a problem here but I'm baffled why I'm not getting the pulsating/vibes at all speeds. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Joe Z]

I've never had a 4Runner tranny out but from others I've done your "Throw out bearing" could be going bad and that speed is where it's starting to be noticable.
Of course it could be other things....
Try this as it's Free....while sitting in your driveway bring the rpm's up to about 2500 in neutral and just lightly touch the free play out of the pedal and just a tad more after that.see if you can duplicate any type of vibration.

 

[St Runner]

It could also be just the fifth gear in the transmission. Try driving the same speed (50+) in fourth and then fifth gear and see if there is a difference. If you have it in both gears it is prob the clutch or driveline and not the transmission