;) Flush your Clutch Fluid Regularly!

[NorCalBorn]

So, bet ya didnt know that if you don't flush you clutch fluid regularly it turns into almost a jello-y consistency goop full of dirt and moisture, did ya?

Did you also consider that it will make the clutch slave cylinder piston not return fully, causing your clutch release fork to drag on your throwout bearing and sounds a lot like a pilot or input shaft bearing getting ready to fail?

ChangeOutYourClutchMasterFluid - YouTube

Wristy, thanks for fielding the stupid question I knew the answer to but needed to be sure of. LOL's that it might not have been as bad as I thought. I'll give it a week to see if it was indeed the fix, either way, after all my trips in and out of the desert and over the border, you'd think I'd have realized a lot sooner that even old(er) Toyota's still have clear fluid reservoirs.

 

[toy4xfun]

actually i did, just like your brake fluid will too!

but well i guess i am lazy!

 

[85 t runner]

is there a write up on how to flush clutch fluid, I have never changed clutch fluid before . I did a search came up empty , I have a 85 4runner. thanks

 

[toy4xfun]

well the best way is to have a container under the slave cylinder, open the bleeder and let the old s*** drain out, then pour new fluid in the master to the top and let it drain out, pour more new fluid in and close the slave cylinders bleeder valve, then replace the top on the master and bleed the system.

 

[toyminator]

It must take more than 15 years and 250,000 miles because I never changed mine.

 

[KLF]

All brake fluid should be changed every 2 years. Since the clutch hydraulics uses brake fluid, it should be done at the same time. Otherwise it absorbs moisture out of the air and rusts all the parts from the inside out. You can tell it needs changing when the fluid turns brown.

You don't wanna know how much Lexus charges to do a brake fluid change on their cars...

 

[NorCalBorn]

well the best way is to have a container under the slave cylinder, open the bleeder and let the old s*** drain out, then pour new fluid in the master to the top and let it drain out, pour more new fluid in and close the slave cylinders bleeder valve, then replace the top on the master and bleed the system.

Yep, pretty much it. Picked up a bottle of DOT3 and 2 feet of 5/32" rubber line. 10mm wrench to loosen the clutch slave bleeder screw, snug it back down lightly. Put the 5/32" line on. Grab a wide mouth soda or water bottle (ie: Gatorade or Propel, basically the one's that are like a 2" top.), poke a hole almost at the edge of the bottle top big enough to stuff the rubber hose down to the bottom of the bottle, with some resistance on the hose so it doesn't fall off, and a breather hole next to that one.

Pop the cap off the reservoir, have someone sit in the driver's seat, pump the clutch 3 times, hold it down firm, and loosen the line just enough to let fluid out. If the pedal sticks down, pull it back up, double check the reservoir every 2nd or 3rd bleed and top it off. Be sure to go back and properly snug down the bleeder screw, the torque spec is in the fsm. Use windex and a clean rag to clean off any fluid drips asap as it east away paint down to bare metal within minutes.

Repeat procedure until the fluid comes clean (Pump clutch 3 times, open bleeder, let fluid out, close bleeder, check that pedal is at full height and reservoir is topped off). Add additional steps like I did if you want to fully clear out the debris in the reservoir. Test drive. If clutch pedal feels spongy or it won't release fully re-bleed the lines because you have an air bubble in the line.

 

[NorCalBorn]

All brake fluid should be changed every 2 years. Since the clutch hydraulics uses brake fluid, it should be done at the same time. Otherwise it absorbs moisture out of the air and rusts all the parts from the inside out. You can tell it needs changing when the fluid turns brown.

You don't wanna know how much Lexus charges to do a brake fluid change on their cars...

Do it, because apparently it might be borderline too late for me as although the squealing's diminished in pretty much 90% of conditions, it comes back like if say I'm on a grade going up or down (HWY 80 or 50 today). I can even easily make it repeat right in my driveway by just lightly pushing on the clutch fork.

I talked to a shop owner I trust and he/I are on the same page w/ a likely solution/mod that I'll share provided..

1. It actually works.
2. He'll allow me to share the info and maybe take pics and record part #'s.

~I brought up an old tech bulletin (or service mod/trick) that he/I remember. Til then cross your fingers, slay a chicken and barbeque it, or say a prayer it works because I've had enough of the hamster's having sex in my bellhousing.

 

[vipergrhd]

waiting

We are waiting Norcal, Waiting,Waiting Waiting.LOL Just for kicks my truck never had a clutch fluid flush since new so i guess it's too late,i'll just wait for it to fail.

 

[NorCalBorn]

We are waiting Norcal, Waiting,Waiting Waiting.LOL Just for kicks my truck never had a clutch fluid flush since new so i guess it's too late,i'll just wait for it to fail.

Ahem, how about you get your 4Runner rolling and then you got some clout you . At least I drive mine, even your truck only goes so far since your work's so close. I'm actually jealous and hate having to daily drive mine after what I put it through. You should see some of the looks I get going home through traffic.

We gotta hook up and do a run or something soon. A couple of peers around here want to picnic and play at Hollister.

 

[Joe_E]

wait..you mean it's too late when the clutch master looks like this?

 

[Combat Chuck]

wait..you mean it's too late when the clutch master looks like this?

Chocolate syrup dispenser is the next reservoir over...

 

[NorCalBorn]

Chocolate syrup dispenser is the next reservoir over...

More like hershey squirts or chocolate milkshake.

Seriously though, that's why you make sure the lid's on tight. How'd you suck in that much red dirt anyhow?

 

[Joe_E]

That's just 23 year old vintage! My 60 sat for about 4 years before i started the resto. The fluid really must of went sour because i never had any clutch problems. It's one of those "i should maybe change the clutch and brake fluid, ...maybe next week" and never seemed to find the time or remember to when i had the time. And i am a stickler on maintenance, oil and diff changes too.

 

[NorCalBorn]

FWIW I went ahead and had a local shop replace the clutch, input shaft seal, rear main seal, pilot and throwout bearings. Things looked worn like I'd been riding the clutch. Entirely reasonable since the clutch slave wasn't returning fully. If I wasn't hurt I could have saved a ton on labor but whatever. It's quiet as a Church Mouse now.

 

[WristPin]

Shane gets all the awesome diagnostic credit here, fellas. Don't let his girly hands fool you!

-aaron

 

[NorCalBorn]

Shane gets all the awesome diagnostic credit here, fellas. Don't let his girly hands fool you!

-aaron

Still, having a pal to call always helps sort out possibilities. Now people will actually expect me to start acting like I do know something after all?

*My hands ain't so girly anymore anyhow, that was just the manicure for the wedding. Not to sound goofy , but I think that's the nicest the hands have ever been and you couldn't even tell we'd pulled a transmission from the Baja truck a day before.

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

It must take more than 15 years and 250,000 miles because I never changed mine.

Agreed. If I let my wife listen to walmart everytime she pulled in there to get an oil change/lube I wouldn't be able to afford internet and this post would have never taken place........ Ya you're right that would probably have been for the best.