Clutch issues

[PIEtuned]

So, I just bought a 2000 4wd Tacoma with 89000 miles on it. It is a 5 speed and I am having issues with getting in to first gear, a lot of backlash, A LOT (especially on hills) Now, at first I just chalked it up to the whole getting used to the truck and toyota clutch thing but I have driven 5 and 6 speed cars my whole life, worked at a pretty large VW/Audi performance shop and have driven numerous 400+ hp cars, simply put, I can pretty much drive... Everything else works fine once moving, shifts fine, no slipping, nothing. Is this a common issue with these trucks, do I basically just suck at driving it, or should I be in the market for a new clutch? This is a major issue as I live in Colorado and will be traveling in and out of the mountains frequently in stop and go traffic and I would like to avoid shelling out the money on a new clutch and stealership diagnosis if at all possible. Any help is much appreciated.

[ShowStop]

Backlash meaning it fights against you shifting into 1st gear? Not grinding really, but the 1st gear safety syncro just wont let you shift into 1st unless your pretty much at a dead stop? That's somewhat normal for these transmissions. They are notchy as hell. Much of it can be attributed to running an incorrect gear oil, which is especially noticable in colder months. Try the Redline MT-90 oil or maybe the Amsoil GL4 type transmission gear oil. These synthetics are designed specifically to help with notchy shifting on transmissions such as the Tacoma W59/R150.

[PIEtuned]

I think I am using the incorrect terminology, let me try to better explain...I can get in to first gear fine shifting wise, my issue is while disengaging the clutch I get drastic wheel hop/transmission hop, as if the clutch is slipping as it is engaging first gear. I have experienced this before in race ready vw's, but that is with a very aggressive 4 puck un-sprung clutch disk where slipping the clutch is needed. I've never had this issue with a stock clutch though. It feels as if the car will stall with lower RPM and at slightly higher RPMs I have this issue, not having much room to find a happy medium. Your help is much appreciated.

[ShowStop]

Ok, sounds more like clutch chatter or maybe an issue with the driveshaft like a worn center support bushing. You seem to lean towards a clutch issue rather then driveline, so that would be the clutch chatter. Did it always do it? I've had clutch chatter issues that appeared on cold mornings but went away when the engine warmed up. Not much you can do short of a clutch job since hot spots on the flywheel and glazing of the clutch disc are the usual causes of the chatter.

[PIEtuned]

Well, I just bought it so I'm not sure if this has been an on-going problem. It actually is non existant when it is cold. It only happens after it is good and warm and only when starting on an incline. The previous owner scorching the clutch/flywheel was the first thing that came to mind but I figured since its situational and only occurs with first gear it may just be a Toyota thing, and I really need to feather the clutch when starting on hills or something. I have put it through the paces under full load/full throttle shifting trying to get it to slip/chatter but haven't had it occur in any other situations. Maybe just to be safe the clutch job would be my best route. Thanks again for the feedback.

[ShowStop]

Check your driveshaft center support bushing and see if it is all worn out. You would likely have a vibration all the time, but it could be part of the problem.

[Trevor 3blacktoys]

Originally Posted by PIEtuned

Is this a common issue with these trucks, do I basically just suck at driving it, or should I be in the market for a new clutch?

Yes, you basically suck at driving a truck. Now go back to your 400 HP VW's and leave us "toothless hillbillies" to our trucks.


ETA - contributing to this thread because I am actually civil. Have you ever driven a truck before? with a manual? That is a serious question, because it sounds like you haven't. The ass-ends are obviously light as hell. Sure as fuck isn't a FWD 1.8t with the engine weight sitting over the drives.
The center support doesn't make sense with it only being 1st.
Check your rear spring packs for broken leafs too.
Trevor "the toothless hillbilly"
by the way - being a new member and all, it's best to STFU and keep to yourself for a bit.

ETAX2 - you say it feels like you get hop while disengaging clutch like as if the clutch was slipping while engaging? That doesn't make sense. If the clutch was slipping while engaging, you would have no hop.

To me, it honestly sounds like you can't drive a truck. Can you maybe have someone more experienced take this thing for a drive?

[PIEtuned]

Ahh, well thanks for the input "Mr. Hillbilly". Just because I'm new to THIS forum doesn't mean I haven been around the block a time or two in other (well respected) forums, and I know my place. When it comes to political comments and views posted on automotive forums, newb or not, I have every right to speak my mind. I have driven manual everything before, yes. From California to Maryland actually, with a fully loaded 3 axle race trailer behind me as a matter of fact and NEVER had this issue. My symptoms actually make complete sense when you look at the hydraulic part of the drivetrain...A malfunctioning slave cylinder or master cylinder will create these EXACT problems. As the truck warms up the release of the clutch becomes more and more clunky, releasing inconsistantly and sticking at the friction point at times and just slamming engaged at other times, causing clutch slippage and wheel hop, just as if an in-experienced driver would release a clutch...I appreciate your "civilness" in trying to help me solve my problem. (Just for the record we're talking about 3.2L 6cylinder VW's...not your aforementioned "1.8T" )

[Trevor 3blacktoys]

3.2, 3.6, 2.8, 1.8, 2.0.....whatthefuckever. We could give 2 shits about your euro crap piles.

Your shit doesn't make sense, and you are going to be useless to argue with (just like all your types). I tried to tell you, and you didn't listen.
#1: When a slave or master clutch cylinder is going out, you don't experience wheel hop - specifically on hills - or any-other fucking time. The cylinders don't function properly - as in - not engaging the linkage properly throughout the motherfucker. That means A: It's harder to put your shit in gear to a point - when eventually you can't. 2: Spoongy ass feeling clutch pedal.
#2: When your clutch is slipping, you don't experience wheel hop. When the clutch is slipping, it's fucking slipping. Not putting too much power to the ground causing wheel hop.

My vote is you can't drive. If you could, your shit wouldn't be malfunctioning only on hills.
Good luck, now fuck off.

[Zchornyak]

Throw in a new clutch. I had the same diagnosis, replaced my clutch last weekend and now it's smooth as glass.