Took my truck into the dealership this morning to get a chirping noise looked at that sounds suspiciously like the chirping noise that I had back in March that turned out to be the throwout bearing going bad. They replaced the bearings under warranty or on their dime, I'm not sure which since I don't have the paperwork, it's in the truck at the shop, but I didn't pay a dime for it.

This new noise turned out to be the same problem.

Service Rep. said that the clutch itself seems to be in fine condition but that it's "fluttering" around which might bewhat's causing these bearings to go bad so quick. He stated that he called regarding my extended warranty and that they regard the clutch as a "wear item" so it's not covered.

I want to call the service rep. back and tell him that a "fluttering" clutch doesn't sound like your standard "wear item" and how it's supposed to function. Also, if they can replace the bearings for free/under warranty why not the clutch? The bearings are a "wear item" I'd assume.

They want to charge me a ton of cash to fix this however I want it done under warranty.

I need opinions fast!

 

Well if they need to change the throwout bearing again, they have to take out the transmission. With the transmission out, changing the clutch is a very easy procedure.

If they're going to change the bearing again under warranty, I'd either bring them a new clutch or have the change it with the understanding that there won't be any labor charge for removing and installing the transmission. It's strictly parts and labor for the 10 minutes needed to bolt on a new clutch and pressure plate and maybe surface the flywheel.

If they're going to change the bearing under warranty but want you to pay a boatload for a clutch, I'd tell them they're going to be replacing that bearing over and over under warranty because you're not shelling out big dollars for a clutch.

If they wont' do anything under warranty I think I'd start complaining about how they didn't fix it properly the first time.

 

Thanks for the reply Steve.

I suppose if I can't get them to replace a defective clutch assembly under warranty since it's "fluttering" and all I can get them to replace the bearings under warranty again.Then hit them with the "since you'll already have the tranny out to replace the bearings and that labor isn't costing me anything for that work then just charge me for the clutch parts."

It's worth a shot.

 

I wouldn't worry about it. the bearing's not worn out, it's just been "washed" out by a water crossing or something. I let mine chirp from 65k to 125k when I changed the clutch myself with the help of 96LtdYota. The bearing was pretty dirty and dried up but it's not going to fail. Actually the chirp went away after about 20k and would only show up on rainy days or after wheeling through water.

 

Haven't been in water, mud or anything in the time they replaced it until it started again sad to say. I'm getting this fixed one way or another as it shouldn't be doing it.

It's just not cinfidence inspiring to me. I might be headed to Mexico sometime this summer and I want the least amount of hassles possible going into it.

 

The throwout bearing on my runner it the only annoyance I have. I got tired of listening to it so I did a whole clutch on my truck at 85k. 10k later..the damn thing is doing it again....now I just live with it. The old one looked fine when I took it out....I just think it is the nature of toyota throwout bearings. I would love to try a different manufacturer though to see if that takes care of it.

 

that's weird. I've never had problems with my throwout bearing and I've not been kind to the equipment. I bought my last clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing and pilot bushing from Marlin. He uses ASCO equipment and it's good stuff.

 

Yep. I replaced mine with a NON toyota supplied bearing too, and it hasn't started making any noise yet either. The grease cooks out of the toyota supplied ones quite easily and it's not like the bearing stays very cool anyway. Washed out or cooked out it doesn't matter, it's not going to fail, the clutch will still shift and the bearing will still do it's job. once it gets out of waranty is what I was talking about, I personally wouldn't pull it to replace a loud bearing, but I'm not under waranty either. if it were someone elses dime and I had the time to spend waiting on it to get replaced weekly, then yep I'd do the same as you.

 

The thing that bothers me is that they said the clutch is "Fluttering" which may be causing these bearings to prematurely go bad. The "fluttering" of the clutch, sort of a wobbling as they watch it is my guess is what I want fixed. The bearings are possibly a symptom of this. I've had the truck for 98k and not until then did a problem occur.

The clutch itself looks fine they said, as they said last time they replaced the bearings, however the clutch "fluttering" isn't very inspiring and why they're trying to say it's not a warranty issue is beyond me. If the clutch was operating correctly I'd pay the cash and repalce it no problem. However the guy telling me it's doing something to wear the bearings out possibly doesn't sound like normal wear and tear.

 

It's all resoved now!

I was handed over to another service advisor. They all know my truck down there by now so he knew who to look for when he was given the case. LOL!

I explained my situation and opinion on the matter again and have dealt with this guy before on many occasions. I aslo mentioned some of what Steveh29 mentioned in his post about having to take the ranny out anyway to put in new bearings so why charge me for labor on that since you're doing the bearings for free anyway approach.

I asked the rep to call Toyota Extra Care back and explain my situation further since the fluttering isn't a normal thing in the clutch. He came back to me with them covering the cost of the cover and flywheel but not the clutch plate itself. Came out to be $242 instead of the $845+tax they originally told me I was going to have to pay.

 

Glad that you're happy with the outcome. Hopefully you won't have any more problems!

 

Yeah I am satisified with that outcome.

My next problem might be a little more serious. I shift at around 3,000 RPM and when I am going up to 3rd or down to 3rd at about tha RPM or higher at times, like getting on a freeway at speed I get a small section of the gear that grinds on the way in. This occirs either shifting up to or down to and doesn't seem to be a problem until I've been driving for a while.

I told them about this when I took it in but it was kind of blown off after all the hassle with the clutch. I talked to the service rep about this since I reported it rorignally with the clutch problem. He said it might have been something to do with the clutch problem but if it was still happening to call him up etc.

Anyone else have/had this problem?