Spinning noise whenever cluntch is pressed

[dbg]

Spinning noise when clutch is pressed in idle gear

My 2000 4runner SR5 4WD is at ~106k now. Recently I kept making spinning noise whenever I pressed down clutch or between gear shifts. I know this noise is embarrassing when you drive stick. I barely can avoid making this noise in the past two weeks or so.

Is this a wear-out problem on the clutch? I read online and saw that a worn throw-out bearing could cause such a noise. What type of 'bad' driving habit could cause it? Or it is simply an aging issue?

 

[drmorbius]

Re: Spinning noise when clutch is pressed in idle gear

My 2000 4runner SR5 4WD is at ~106k now. Recently I kept making spinning noise whenever I pressed down clutch or between gear shifts. I know this noise is embarrassing when you drive stick. I barely can avoid making this noise in the past two weeks or so.

Is this a wear-out problem on the clutch? I read online and saw that a worn throw-out bearing could cause such a noise. What type of 'bad' driving habit could cause it? Or it is simply an aging issue?

+1 on the throwout bearing. I would look at the clutch disc and pressure plate, and the flywheel surface while you are in there. Not at all unusual for these parts to be worn, especially if it has been driven hard. Also a good time to replace the plastic shifter piece on the trans.

 

[dbg]

Re: Re: Spinning noise when clutch is pressed in idle gear

+1 on the throwout bearing. I would look at the clutch disc and pressure plate, and the flywheel surface while you are in there. Not at all unusual for these parts to be worn, especially if it has been driven hard. Also a good time to replace the plastic shifter piece on the trans.

Thanks for the advise!
I brought it into mechanics and changed clutch set which includes above parts for $700 (labor is about $450).

Right after the repair work, I can feel the clutch needs much lighter force to depress than it requires before the job. Sometimes the 4WD was not engaged but most of the times it works. Today, it is raining and the 4WD light will not turn on. No matter how I tried to engage H4 or L4. I brought it back to the shop. I was told it is a hard problem to fix and ask me to bring it back after the holidays. I hope this clutch job does not mess up with 4WD...

 

[Sleddogg]

did you say that since it was raining, you wanted to put in in 4h?

 

[dbg]

did you say that since it was raining, you wanted to put in in 4h?

Correct. It was raining, but I cannot put into 4H. However, that evening, it works again. I could say it works for 1 out of 5 different times when I wanted 4H gear. Kinds of strange.

 

[shootmymime]

sounds like you need a bigger hammer for persuasion... sorry im no help

 

[dbg]

4WD light might not be turned on all the time

sounds like you need a bigger hammer for persuasion... sorry im no help

Thanks. I might try it myself - reading the "1996 to 2002 Toyota 4Runner Repair and Wiring Manuals" and will do it when I get a chance.

After reading, I suspected "ADD Actuator". ADD stands for "Automatic Disengaging Differential". Searched google and found these posts with similar symptoms as mine:
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/4runner/85811-1997-4runner-4wd-stopped-working-not/
http://www.yotatech.com/f2/01-4runner-4wd-problem-help-128924/
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Repair-832/1994-4-runner-4X4.htm

In my case, 4WD light works from time to time though. I will read more on ADD now. Any comments?