Creaking Clutch Driving Me Mad

[Siucra Ray]

Hi all,

I recently acquired a '04 Avensis Strata (2nd trim level in Ireland) All was going well until a couple of weeks after I had bought it when I started to notice that there was an odd creaking sound from the clutch every now and again.

Since then I’ve been back to the dealer twice to get it looked at. His mechanic assures me that the "bushel" is the problem (where the clutch pivots) and oils it up and it's fine then for a few days then slowly but surely the creaking returns. It comes and goes for apparently no reason and it's started to annoy the hell out of me.

I read on a forum on this site that it may be a release fork pivot inside the clutch housing (thanks Ray99) and I was wondering if anyone else had this problem and if this indeed was the cause before I endeavour to get the dealer to carry out a 3 hour job?

Cheers,

Ray D

[dark andrew]

There is a problem with the clutch master cylinder on Avensis manufactured before March 2005. Cars manufactured after this date have a cylinder manufactured to a higher specification, I did have the technical document somewhere but I can't find it now - anyway your dealer should be aware of it. The only problem is that since your car is 4 years old it's no longer covered by the warrenty (unless you've taken out an extended one) and since the standard warrenty on this component has not been extended, despite Toyota being aware of the issues with it, you will have to pay if you want the new and improved version. I had this problem with my car but luckilly it occured within the warrenty period and was replaced without any hassle.

[Siucra Ray]

There is a problem with the clutch master cylinder on Avensis manufactured before March 2005. Cars manufactured after this date have a cylinder manufactured to a higher specification, I did have the technical document somewhere but I can't find it now - anyway your dealer should be aware of it. The only problem is that since your car is 4 years old it's no longer covered by the warrenty (unless you've taken out an extended one) and since the standard warrenty on this component has not been extended, despite Toyota being aware of the issues with it, you will have to pay if you want the new and improved version. I had this problem with my car but luckilly it occured within the warrenty period and was replaced without any hassle.

Thanks, Andrew. I bought the car, second-hand, in January and I got a year's warrenty from the dealer. But I don't know if this will be covered. Guess there's only one way to find out

[matty2767]

but as it is a well known fault and toyota have designed an improved unit then arent you entitled to this modification free of charge.

if you have no luck i would take it to a different dealer and see what they can do.