My 4runner, 90 3.0, sounds like a cricket. If i put the slightest pressure on the clutch, it goes away. It speeds up with revving the engine in neutral and clutch out. Someone told me this was the throwout bearing in the clutch. Is that right?

 

Sounds like it to me.

 

Throw out bearings usually only make noise when you're pushing the clutch pedal, that's the only time they're moving. I would suspect the crankshaft pilot bearing. The repair is much the same for both anyway, drop the trans and replace the bearing, and the clutch while you're there.

Another possibility is the trans input shaft bearing.

 

I had one that would rattle nonstop... made me think the motor was going out

I have seen them squak a little, as they are spinning, not the whole thing but a part of it...

 

mine did the crickett chirp, no big deal

 

No, that's not correct.
It might be the pilot bearing.
You ride on the throw out bearing when you push the clutch in.

 

i second that.

 

Where is the pilot bearing and what does it do?

Also this cricket chirp is irritating but it hasn't gotten any worse, thankfully. Is it doing any damage to other parts?

 

Well, I wouldnt say they lied, just gave you some bad advice. All you need to do is to lube the clutch fork lever at the fulcrum. If you pull back the boot, you can see the pivot point. It needs lube is all. Toyota sells a white grease in a spray can, easy to shoot it on the area that needed it, its kinda thick and will cling in place.

 

Do you have any pictures, diagrams, or descriptions of where exactly that boot and clutch fork lever is? If this is pretty easy to fix, I wouldn't mind doing it so that the cricket goes away

 

passenger side of the tranny bell housing.

Follow your clutch line to the slave cylinder. The fork is the lever the slave cylinder is in contact with