Avensis Clutch Problem / Shudder

[abcjones123]

Hi

I need assistance with my Avensis. Only had a it a few days and have a concern over the clutch bitting point, it's incredibly high, more or less fully raised.

Have tried for slip and there doesn't seem to be any slip even on a hill start, but when driving especially in 1st and 2nd you get a slight judder. There is a chance this could be balancing and alignment but I feel it's more like the clutch.

Is this a major problem or repair / adjustable ?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Cookie-monster]

Adjustment is only usually possible if the clutch is cable operated - and as far as I know, most Toyotas use a hydraulic clutch actuator, which is not adjustable - so as as soon as you begin to press the pedal, the mechanism starts to disengange the clutch. The biting point on my Yaris is very high as well, and this is hydraulically actuated - other cars I have had that have been hydrualic clutches have all had high biting points. I think its just a characteristic of the hydraulic clutch.

Judder is usually a weak pressure plate diapragm spring finger that causes uneven engagement of the friction plate to the flywheel or pressure plate, leading to slight snatching as the drive is taken up. It can also be caused by dampness on the friction plate, or oil contamination. Some cars seem to get judder after standing overnight in damp conditions - mine sometimes does, and as long as the judder goes after a mile or so, then there is nothing to be worried about. Weak or damaged engine mount rubbers can also cause judder, but this would be present all the while.

If the car has done more than 80 - 100K on the same clutch, then it may be time for a new clutch anyway.

If the clutch is not slipping, then I would not worry too much and keep on driving it until it does start slipping, as clutches are expensive to change nowadays - on an old Avensis I should imagine it will be between £400 and £600 depending on where you go.

[fimblex]

I had judder when pulling away, and occasionally changing up to 2nd, only when engine was hot. Toyota garage drove it and were not sure if it was flywheel, clutch or something else. I had the clutch changed and no judder. MPG also improved from 39 to 42.3 so should pay back in 10 months. Hope this helps someone unsure of what problem they have.

[Mistermena]

How many miles are on your car? My Polo TDi started to judder so put a new clutch in it as the biting point was right at the top of the clutch pedal travel. Good jub we did it when we did as there was about 1mm of friction material left on the clutch plate!... But my car had covered 212k on the original clutch!... Not bad for a driving school car

[acetip]

Loose or damaged engine mountings can cause clutch judder.

[Alan Morgan]

I worked for a Toyota Dealer from 1998 until 2001. There were a few clutch problems with early model avensis, (mainly noise and judder related), mostly it was the springs on the clutch cover but I changed my fair share of flywheels that were badly "high spotted" too. Only way to be sure is to whip the box out and have a look! I did so many that I was once timed changing a clutch and flywheel assembly and it only took 57 minutes from the car going on the ramp to driving back out again!!!!!!!! I have done 5 avensis clutch's in an 8 hour shift before when there was a re-call for a squealing noise and were repaired under the warranty. As for the high biting point, try checking for leaks from the clutch slave cylinder, just peeling back the dust cover should do, and if not leaking try bleeding the clutch hydraulics. If it's stil high my money would be on a combination of a worn friction plate and possible weak springs on the cover. ;)

[fimblex]

Mister mean - only 48k which is why I wasn't sure about clutch.

Acetip - I discounted mountings as problem only pulling away not when on/off accelerator when moving.

[Mistermena]

I think I'd take a look at what Alen has pointed out with the slave cylinder. That milage you shouldn't have a clutch problem unless the cars been held on the clutch for to long or hammered. Me and a mate of mine had to change a slave on my car after changing the clutch! so it could be that the slave has a leak...

[Alan Morgan]

Forgot to mention, some of the springs on the friction plate could be snapped, had a few low milage avensis with that problem too!