Need help with a '96 Camry - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dannym · #1 03-07-2008, 08:11 AM

I get a call this morning from my girlfriend. She says she's having a problem with her clutch. The car is a '96 Toyota Camry, 4 speed.
The problem is the pedal is going all the way down to the floor and it's hard to get it in gear. She says once it's in gear it's fine. Which leads me to believe it's not the clutch. Or at least not the friction plates.
My question is what is the proper fix?
Maybe a cable, master cylinder or slave cylinder? I don't even know if the car has any of these parts?

Any help will be appreciated.

Danny

MattBelliveau · #2 03-07-2008, 09:05 AM

Sounds like what happened when I had a slave cylinder go out on me.

KarTek · #3 03-07-2008, 09:13 AM

That's exactly what happened on my truck. The master and slave cyl. for that car are about $60 each or you may be able to buy rebuild kits for them for probably less than $20. In my experience, the master cylinder craps out first.

To determine if that's the problem, have her press the pedal slowly and you watch the release fork at the same time. If you see very little motion out of it (1" or less), that's probably it. Of course, there may also be obvious signs of failure like leakage. Something else to consider is that the master cyl is just low on brake fluid and it's sucking air. If it is, you'll have to bleed it like brakes when it's re-filled.

pop & blow · #4 03-07-2008, 01:20 PM

I can tell you this Toyota is the only one that intergrates ther brake system with there clutch slave system why I will never know. check slave cyl and master cyl replace and bleed the intire system.

Matt L · #5 03-07-2008, 01:25 PM

Shouldn't the pedal always go all the way to the floor? Do you mean that the clutch begins to engage when the pedal is pushed all the way down?

If so, this sounds like a failing cylinder, master or slave. If the slave cylinder fails, you may lose brake fluid (or clutch fluid if it's a separate reservoir). There will normally be no fluid loss due to a failed master cylinder.

KarTek · #6 03-07-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop & blow

I can tell you this Toyota is the only one that intergrates ther brake system with there clutch slave system why I will never know. check slave cyl and master cyl replace and bleed the intire system.

I'm not sure I've ever seen this. My GF's 4Runner had a clutch master and slave cyl completely separate from the brakes. They did however, use brake fluid for them.

dannym · #7 03-07-2008, 05:23 PM

New developments.

The clutch does not go into gear at all when the car is running. it will start in gear but you can't switch gears while it's running. We had to drive it home in first gear.

The master cylinder is full and doesn't show any signs of being broken.

The slave cylinder is working also, except for the problems I mentioned above. I did measure the travel at 1/2 inch.
At this point I'm at a complete loss as to why it wont switch gears while running. It goes through all the gears fine while in park.

Danny

Matt L · #8 03-07-2008, 05:27 PM

Try bleeding the clutch line. If that fixes it, you have a bad cylinder at one end or the other. Probably the master cylinder, but this isn't a sure bet.

PaulC · #9 03-07-2008, 05:45 PM

Pumping the clutch pedal has no positive effect on clutch disengagement?

KarTek · #10 03-07-2008, 08:29 PM

1/2 inch of slave travel is not nearly enough. The clutch is simply not dis-engaging enough. I'm still betting a re-build or replacement is in your future...

Matt L · #11 03-07-2008, 08:56 PM

Because of the strong spring in the pressure plate pushing against the slave cylinder, pumping the clutch doesn't work as it does with the brakes. Even with drum brakes that have springs, the springs are weak enough that you can pump them up.

Larry Delor · #12 03-07-2008, 09:13 PM

try changin gears real gentle like - it can be done - but you have to get the speed juuust right. (NOT for everyday driving...just to get to home or shop)