I have a 1998 4runner and i am having trouble with the clutch. It seems that i have to push the clutch all the way to the floor in order to shift easily. Also, when i am downshifting i almost have to stop to downshift into first gear. I am just wondering if this is a common problem and if i can fix it. I dont want to press all the way to the floor when shifting gears.

 

im not a mechanic
but
it could be your clutch slave cylinder
i had the same prob in my 86 p/u

 

Yea I would check your fluid level, make sure it is staying where it is supposed to be in order to ensure that there is no leaks in any of the cylinders. Just my experience but with my car if it is not completely warm it is much harder to shift. The gear oil does not perform properly until it is warm, and it is something you would notice more in the winter. Also I have to be almost at a complete stop in order to put it in first. How many miles does it have? Syncros just get old and stubborn.

 

I don’t think it is the clutch slave or master cylinder. I have just recently had them both changed. Are there adjustments that need to be made the new cylinders in order to make shifting easier? Is ist possible that there could be air bubbles in the line causing these problems? How would I test this to see if air bubbles are the problem?

 

no you see what your problem is, is that the clutch fingers in the clutch is self have worn and now they will not diamgage nomatter how far you push the clutch the only fix is to replace the clutch and pressure plate
i had the same problem on my 83 hilux just make sure you tighten the hell out of the bellhousing bolts

 

If you do a clutch replacement, beware of cheap a$$ clutch kits. The previous owner of my 91' put one it it so cheap that in 5k miles the throwout bearing was toast, half the anti-rattle springs were broke, and the splined section of the clutch friction disc had loosened up. Pretty major repair, so don't cheap out.