Clutch/Gears?

MUDDYPAWS

MEMBER
TOYOTA PICKUP

I have a 1993 Toyota T100 4-wheel drive V6 with about 120,000 miles. It is now my second vehicle and I have loaned it out recently, unsupervised. This weekend, driver number 2 in the last couple of weeks experienced a slowing down on the freeway, and was unable to easily shift gears. Someone driving behind noticed black smoke. My friend got the truck home and in her driveway. When I was reunited with my truck I attempted to take it for a drive. I was able to easily shift gears, but the acceleration was very poor. The tow truck driver said it sounded like the clutch. Does this sound accurate? Also, is it possible that it was just time for the clutch to go, or might it have been hurried along by unfamiliar drivers.? Thank you.

1 Reply

MMPRINCE3000

MECHANIC
133 POSTS

The clutch (if properly used) will normally last the life of the car.
I have seen them destroyed in a few days by drivers who misuse them, holding the car on a hill with the clutch rather than the brakes or starting out in 3rd gear rather than first.
I rented a car several years ago and while at the rent- a- car place waiting, I saw a person who rented a Honda and they left the business in the wrong gear while reving the engine to 6,000RPM! That will destroy a clutch very quickly.
It will not get any better, so you might as well replace it before you get stranded.