donc

My 95 SR5 3.0 5sp has had 5 new clutches in 80K miles, and the current one is starting to chatter. I have had the dealer service mgr, the district service mgr, and various service reps drive with me to see if it is a question of how I ddrive (all my vehicles have had manual transmissions including my 72 240Z that I owned for 15 years). It was so baaad that on one visit to the dealer they couldn't even back the truck oout of the stall! I currently have a dealer installed aftermarket HD clutch installed and it too is failing. Warrenty is gone so this is my nickel.
Anyone with something helpful? Otherwise the 4Runner rruns great, gets 21 around town and 23/24 on the road.
Thanks -

Fahrenheit 451

Has the flywheel ever been really checked out to make sure it is round and true, has it been resurfaced? How about the pressure plate and all the other bits like the fork and throwout bearing?
I had an old 64 Chevy pickup years ago that kept blowing apart clutches and it wound up it had the wrong bellhousing on it so the throwout bearings I would buy were always too long. Having a 350 with a few too many ponies didn't help much either

UKMyers

There has got to be something else wrong with it! I am on my original clutch at 98K and I don't baby the thing neither.

jx94148

Somethings got to be wrong with the flywheel. Maybe its warped. Maybe somehow your crankshaft bent. That would cause the rear main seal to leak though.

A stock clutch should last 7-10 years unless you are towing heavy loads a lot.

richeyma

You didn't say anything about how the clutches held out on your previous cars! I'm assuming this is the first time you've had so many problems

I agree with jx94148. It sounds like something else is wrong. I had my clutch replaced for the first time at 120K. I think the service shop has been treating the symptoms instead of the problem.

frick

I would have to agree that there is something else that is not correct here. I still have the orginal clutch on my 95 p/u with 114k on the clock, and I am the second owner of the truck.

Eric

donc

According to the Toyota service manager the pressure plate has been both resurfaced and replaced. Again according to Toyota all the shafts and bearings have been checked for alingnment. I think there is a problem with the presure plate because when I let out the clutch in 3rd or 4th there is a shudder as the system mates up.
I've had no problems with previous cars/trucks (86 4Runner before this one) with clutches lasting well into the 150K mile range - I just do not abuse my rides.

1WiCkEd_RuNNer

Ok check this out. Downey Off-Road offers a Super Clutch II. Comes with everything, Clutch, Pressure Plate, 10 lbs heavier Fly Wheel, Throw-Out Bearing, Pilot Bearing, and a Alignment Tool. The best package for a nice price of $440 delivered if I remember correctly. The Clutch is HD. Centerforce could not even come close to the package deal!

As far as the problems with the clutches, I would have the tranny seriously looked at very hard and with a microscope. But that is just my .02 cents!!!!! Hopefully this will help!

Fahrenheit 451

But nothing about the flywheel being resurfaced? If the flywheel hasn't been resurfaced it could have defects that will cause the symptoms you describe. It shouldn't cost a whole lot more and you can have them replace the pilot bearing at the same time.
It's a stretch, but also have them really scope out the tranny, bellhousing and everything to make sure they are all the right parts to begin with. It is certainly possible that your truck fell during a production change and has maybe a '96 tranny on a '95 setup?? Like I said, it's a stretch

Victor

Your problem is definately odd. I have 147k and am just now thinking about changing out the stock cluctch on my '94. Not due to chatter - but it slips on steep inclines occasionally. Does the heavier flywheel really help? Seems like it would make accerleration harder but I'm only guessing.

Fahrenheit 451

The heavier flywheel really does help turn the tires over especially if you have bigger wheels and tires. I have a 30lb flywheel in mine and it really helps on the takeoff. It really helps in the sand or when you are up against a ledge or something and need to get some initial movement.
However, after that point it is a hindrance as it presents a lot of rotating weight to overcome. It's definitely not a hot rodding option