I would appreciate any advice on the squeaky clutch in my 97 SR5 V6. I have searched the archives and have read about bushing replacement, cricket sounds, spraying with Pam, etc., but part of my problem is not knowing any terminology, (I'm a computer guy not a car guy). I know noises are subjective but this is really bothering both my wife and I.

After laying on the floor and pushing the clutch in and out, it sounds like the squeaking is coming from the thin metal rod that goes from the pedal assembly through the firewall, or maybe from something just on the other side of the rubber boot.

It makes squeaking sounds when you push the clutch in, or let it out. It has gotten very noticable within the last few weeks. The clutch mechanics seem to be okay, it still engages and disengages as it always has, just with a lot more noise. (You can hear it inside and outside).

Perhaps someone can help me with the terminology, or with any tips on stopping, or at least quieting the squeaking sounds. I have really no car mechanical abilities so hopefully any suggesstions will be easy for me to do.

Thanks!

 

Unclip that rod on one side and add shims. It was only after I added my own "shims" on one side that my "click" and squeak went away.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I do have some additional questions about your comment. It looks like I can only detach the rod from the inside of the Runner, (I don't even know or see where it comes out on the other side under the hood).

- Is it easy to unclip the rod and reassemble?
- Where did you get the shims you put on yours?
- How many did you use?
- If shims are placed on the rod will there be enough rod left for it to slide through the rubber boot at the firewall?

Thanks again, this board is amazing.

 

No, not that rod, the rod that runs perpendicular to the one going through the firewall.

It is near the spring.

 

Thanks for the replies. I don't know if it makes a difference or not, but it's actually more of a creaky sound, not squeaky. Kind of like opening a door where the hinges creak. It makes the creaking sound almost from when you depress the clutch until it's fully depressed. It does it again until you release it.

Thanks again.

 

Check to see if the horseshoe bushing is missing. There is a horseshoe shaped bushing that slides into the clutch arm and the spring rides in it. It tends to wear out and then you have metal to metal. If you wait long enough you'll need to replace the clutch arm or you get to replace the bushing every 6-12 months. Once the bushing doesn't fit in the clutch arm it tends to either wear out, break or work its way out of the assembly.

The other thing we were doing to fix them did have to do with adding a washer or spacer so that there wasn't any play between the clutch arm and the bracket (the one that holds the clutch and brake arms).

Hope this helps.

 

I had to do what LostDawg (Ah lawst a dawg one time, it was a Bagle...) said, to both my 85 and the 90. But on some trucks all I had to do was spray everything liberally with some silicone lube and the squeaks went away. It might only be squeaking where the rod goes through the rubber grommet in the firewall. (The other end, by the way, is inside the clutch cylinder, that's why you can't find it on the engine side of the firewall.)

 

for me, i changed out my clutch master cylinder, per maintenance schedule. quite as a mouse now.

bob

 

Mine made the creaking sound and it was the bushing between the spring and clutch pedal.

 

I had an annoying squeak every time I broke over the top of a dune or turned down a steep bank or got sidehilled. Turns out it was the passenger. She's my thrill meter, the more fun I have the more she squeals... It's when she gets quiet that I know I'm in trouble.

 

Well, like most others, it turned out to be the bushing area between the spring and the clutch pedal.

I sprayed some silicone lubricant and it went away, (for now), but I still hear some squeaking coming from the cylinder area under the hood. Oh well, let the people outside deal with that one for now.

Thanks everyone.