okay, check this out.
i found it as advice on another site:
zuck23 I have a 2000 Manual Tran. 4 Runner. I've only owned it for 9 months and it's got approx. 65K miles on it. I've had a squeak in the clutch for a few months and everyone has told me it's a release bearing starting to go, but don't worry nothing to serious. Well, not I've got a popping sound coming from my clutch virtually every time it is pressed and released. Now they are telling me it's locking up and needing to be replaced. Apparentely the bearing is inside the bell housing and is quite labor intensive - might as well replace the clutch while you are up in there.
Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on how much a clutch should cost?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Mike
ToyotaTech Make sure it is not the spring on the pedal itself I have replaced alot of the bushings that the spring sets in. This is the spring that brings back the pedal.
zuck23 Thanks for the thoughts - everyone just kept telling me that it's the release bearing so this is hopefully good news. I have a friend that owns a shop here so I'm going to have him check it out this weekend. HOpefully saves me for spending all the money for a new clutch. I drive so much highway I'm just nervous about my clutch going out.
Thanks again!
Brian R. You can tell the difference. With the engine running, hold the clutch pedal to the floor. A release bearing will make a noise when the clutch is held to the floor (as well as when it is being pressed), the return spring will only make noise when the clutch pedal is in motion being pressed or released, not while the pedal is held to the floor.
----looks like the last bit of advice might save both of our arses.
-stev=o