Heavy Clutch - 1.8 Petrol T25

[gazza1286]

Hi

The clutch pedal on my wife's car is becoming increasingly heavy. I'm planning to first swap the fluid an if that doesn't work change the clutch to a pattern part.

It's not slipping and the car has only done 50k miles. Any thoughts, recommendations or issues I will encounter when doing the swap. I've replaced the clutch on a Carina E and expect this to be similar. New gearbox seals recommended?

Many thanks

[TomdeGuerre]

Never done this job myself but there's been a slew of posts about Avensis clutch pedals being heavy and squeaky eg

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/79005-clutch-stiff-heavy-to-press/

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/152083-avensis-t3s-vvti-2003-heavy-squeaky-clutch-pedal/

Seems there's an accumulator between the master and slave cylinders that can act up also lack of lubrication of the clutch fork and mainshaft splines leading to stickiness and partial seizure are known faults. re gearbox seals, i take it you're referring to the primary (or first motion) shaft seal which I would leave alone unless it's leaking.

Someone posted this manual , which you may already have, but it gives good info.

Avensis clutch.pdf

[avensisd4d786]

Gazza, its either the master cylinder at fault or the pressure plate in the clutch kit. 

[gazza1286]

Checking it out over the weekend and hopefully the hydraulics is the cause. Otherwise I'm waiting until the better weather!