New here, with a new to me 2000 Highlander. Yes, I've searched. Everyone says my throwout bearing is going bad if it squeaks when the pedal is out but it shouldn't even be spinning when the clutch is out. I've adjusted the master cylinder plunger and raised the pedal height a little. It something just gummed up in the slave cylinder or shaft the bearing slides on? If I push the plunger back in manually at the trans end it backs off enough. Why is there no external spring down there? The clutch itself seems fine, I'd hate to have to pull the transmission, but the noise is driving me crazy...Suggestions?
Throwout bearing squeak
- Thread starter DionJ
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sportscarfan
New member
Mine has had the clutch pedal squeak since buying it in 2010 - I pulled the clutch pedal assy. once, but my fix didn't last. 25k later and I've gotten used to it.
white_n_slow
Senior Member
About 50% of the manual transmission vehicles I've owned have had a throwout bearing noise when the clutch is out (in gear or neutral), including one of my Runners. I just leared to ignore the noise, it has no effect on longevity or reliability in my experience. My runners both also had a clutch pedal squeak, especially in wetter weather, which I never figured out 
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JayRolla
New member
Good old throw out bearing squeal. This issue can plague any manual trans car. In my experience of clutch replacement, (which is more than I can count) that non OEM TB's like to dry up and squeal. Less of an issue with OEM bearings. I always threw away the aftermarket performance bearing from a $600+ clutch setup as they where always trash and installed OEM. I also would pack the hell out of the bearing with grease (not needed) and it helped out a lot. But in your case I would just deal with the sound till you need to replace it.
The pedal squeak I can live with until I motivate to do the spring switch which I've read about. The throwout squeak is nearly constant, down at the transmission. I guess I'll try to ignore it until the step daughter burns up the clutch learning to drive it. Thanks for the replies.
OldManKamps
New member
Bumping this because I want answers for this! My 2000 4Runner has the same squeak. It developed about a month ago and it varies in sound and smell. There are some days where it squeaks like CRAZY and then there are days where it doesn't squeak at all. After 18km~ of highway driving, it starts to smell like burning plastic. It seems that the squeaks get worse in more damp weather. Now, I'm a student and I don't have money to fix a problem just because its squeaky. Is this going to cause me any issues in the future? Or is it purely a squeaky bearing and it's not going to explode on me? Also, how has the squeaky throwout bearing been for you in the last 8 months or so? Any problems?
Thanks!
JayRolla
New member
If it the TOB it will stop when clutched pushed. It's metal so no smells. You have another issue I would guess.
OldManKamps
New member
Yea that's my issue. That must be my issue then. I have no idea what that smell is from though. It happens intermittently and it disappears almost instantly after the vehicle is turned off. It smells like it's coming from underneath the vehicle. Also, wouldn't the throwout bearing be rubbing inside with the bearings? Could this not create that smell?
Thanks!
Thanks!
8 months later mine is still working. It's the stepdaughters truck which I only drive rarely now so it doesn't bother me much. Waiting for her to burn up the clutch completely before doing anything. Don't know about your smell though or how loud your is, mine is just a cricket down there that doesn't smell. Funny we finally got rain in Ca and she called saying "my truck feels funny when I let out the clutch in 1st gear" umm gee, you are spinning the tires, less gas!
Climb under your truck when it's running in neutral, push the clutch by hand to retract the slave cylinder and verify the noise goes away.
Climb under your truck when it's running in neutral, push the clutch by hand to retract the slave cylinder and verify the noise goes away.
JayRolla
New member
Thats great!! LOL, tire spin scaring her.
