Does anyone else have clutch shudder on hill starts?

[ivansky Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ivansky]

Sorry to revisit this issue, but my clutch problem is definitely a saga. (See viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7577 for previous post).

The local Toyota dealer has driven my 2007 D4D, 32 000km old, with a two month old clutch previously replaced under warranty, and said that although there is a slight shudder, "this is normal for Toyota vehicles at low revs going up steep inclines". I've never had this type of problem in a Toyota or other vehicle before (apart from a Subaru which was related to the removal of asbestos from clutch plates and quickly fixed some years ago) so I'm a little surprised by this.

I've always thought when doing a hill start in traffic that I should be able to expect smooth clutch engagement. I'm not talking 30 degree slopes here, just slight inclines. And I'm not talking massive shudder like it was before, but quite noticeable lack of smoothness that means you have to finesse the clutch a little to start off without jerking. I'm typically starting off from a standing start somewhere between maybe 1400-2000rpm, depending on the circumstances, am I doing this wrong? Increasing the revs definitely seems to make it worse.

Does anyone else have a clutch shudder when doing hill starts in their Prado? Would love to hear from anyone else on this issue.

Thanks.

Ivan

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Re: Does anyone else have clutch shudder on hill starts?

Does anyone else have a clutch shudder when doing hill starts in their Prado?

No.... definitely not. Can you take the vehicle to a trusted mechanic and get an unbiased opinion?

[ivansky Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ivansky]

Re: Does anyone else have clutch shudder on hill starts?

Yes, next step is to take it to an independent mechanic or the NRMA to obtain a written opinion. Would love to hear more responses, yes or no, on clutch shudder. I was a bit surprised when their foreman said it was "common in Toyota vehicles".

Ivan

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Re: Does anyone else have clutch shudder on hill starts?

I agree NRMA would be the place to start.
here is a link for online advice. http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/m ... advice.htm
Ask them if it has a duel mass flywheel, as in previous thread. If it has, then it cannot be economically machined, and is replaced if faulty. You were told that yours was machined from memory.

Good luck, and please let know how you go. I have the same vehicle, and am wondering about clutch life myself.

Steve

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

Re: Does anyone else have clutch shudder on hill starts?

I had this issue with my 06 5 speed. the service manager at strathpine showed me how to fix it by driving at 60 kmh, slight load on throttle, and slip the clutch so the engine revs a little. This will heat the clutch up and remove the resin from the flywheel and pressure plate. Do not overhead the clutch when doing this. After we did this my clutch was like new, no shudder and as strong as new.
We did this after toyota replaced the cluth, pressure plate and flywheel, twice.
I sold the car at 115000km and had to repeat this every 20000 or so.

[ivansky Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ivansky]

Re: Does anyone else have clutch shudder on hill starts?

Thought I should post an update although I'm not seeing many other people with clutch shudder - seems like other clutches are just giving up the ghost altogether! :cry: So I feel a bit lucky in some respects. I finally got a call from the "Technical Training Manager" from my dealer, who asked if I would bring the car out and take him for a drive to assess my clutch.

To cut a long story short, over the next few days before I saw him my clutch seems to have bedded in (I didn't know they could do that). The clutch shudder has pretty much gone away and it is now working pretty well. The TTM admitted there had been some problem clutches, and said that my new clutch was the latest and greatest kit. He also recommended starting off at low revs when possible to minimise clutch slippage.

So, I hope this story helps someone. With a bit of luck our clutch saga is over for now...