I have a 94 4Runner auto and when i first got the truck i noticed that the gas pedal was alittle hard to push down i though nothing of it really untill i got into my g/f's Yota Matrix and hit the gas, the car burnt out. Is it common for the toyota trucks to suck a heavy pedal? is there a way to make it so its not so hard to push?

 

I think there is a bushing or sleave or something on the trottle cable as it passes through the firewall that can wear out. (but not postive)

 

Your tranny kick-down cable works against your throttle cable. It could be too tight or damaged.

 

With a lot of miles ( and pedal pushes ) on your 4Runner, the inside of the throttle cabel housing just wears out. The trick is , if you don't want to replace the housing and cable completely, is to lube the housing. I usually have to lube mine every 3 or 4 months, or so. The hardest part is getting the barrel cable end out of, and back into, the slot on the bell crank. Then just put the end of the pipette from the lube can down into the end of the cable housing, next to where the cable comes out. It's a tight fit. Then just slowly squirt lube down into the housing. Hold the end of the housing up and work the free end of the cable in and out to help distribute the lube down into the housing. This takes a little time, but is well worth it. Try not to use WD-40, since it also has a solvent in it and the lubricating effect wont last as long. Try to use pure silicone spray or some other type of lube / penetrant like Prolong SPL 100 or PB Blaster.

You'll be amazed at the improvement.

I'm not sure about your gf's Matrix, but it 'may' not even have a throttle cable. My 2002 Solara is 'fly by wire' -- no throttle cable .

Mike in AR

 

Sorry to bring back an old thread. Mike, I was just wondering if you knew the part # to order a replacement of the cable & housing? My truck gas pedal is extremely heavy and after this pass weekend trip I need to have it replaced. Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks
Steve

 

Clean the throttle body!!! This has fixed my pedal problems for the last 15 years.

 

^ what he said i cleaned the throttle body on my 91 and it helped

 

Thanks guys! I will try to work on it this sunday and report back how it works out.

Thanks again