Toyota Corolla stiff clutch pedal

cunnifferous

I put a deposit on an 03 Corolla today. The test drive was fine, everything seemed good but I noticed that the clutch pedal was a bit stiffer/heavier than I've noticed in other car models I've driven and was also a bit squeaky. It was by no means very difficult to press but definitely heavier than any other car I've driven.

There was no slipping in the clutch at all at the bite point felt good, early and certain. I mentioned it to the dealer and had it written on the contract before I paid the deposit that I wanted it to be fixed before I take full purchase of the car (he said was probably just a spring or needed some lubricant).

Just wondering if this is a normal clutch feel for a Corolla (49k) or is it something more insidious that I should be wary of?

Thanks!

Kencollins

I have a 04 diesel avensis with the same issues

I bought the car with 80k on the clock, and the clutch was quite heavy.

The pedal also squeaked really badly!

The car now has 220k on it, the clutch is still really heavy and the pedal still squeaks really badly!

The squeaking is because of a poor design in the clutch pedal, the nylon bushes wear out too soon. Its expensive to fix, because you have to replace the whole pedal assembly. I just gave it a blast of lithium spray grease every few weeks and that got me by!

The heavy feeling, I'm not sure of the cause but it hasn't caused a problem for me. I think it is probably because of some issue with the clutch hydraulics. To fix it totally, you are going to have to replace the master cylinder and the associated bits. Its going to be expensive for sure.

There is lots of info on the Toyota Owners Club forum, a quick google will bring up the results!

Ken

cunnifferous

Kencollins wrote: »

I have a 04 diesel avensis with the same issues

I bought the car with 80k on the clock, and the clutch was quite heavy.

The pedal also squeaked really badly!

The car now has 220k on it, the clutch is still really heavy and the pedal still squeaks really badly!

The squeaking is because of a poor design in the clutch pedal, the nylon bushes wear out too soon. Its expensive to fix, because you have to replace the whole pedal assembly. I just gave it a blast of lithium spray grease every few weeks and that got me by!

The heavy feeling, I'm not sure of the cause but it hasn't caused a problem for me. I think it is probably because of some issue with the clutch hydraulics. To fix it totally, you are going to have to replace the master cylinder and the associated bits. Its going to be expensive for sure.

There is lots of info on the Toyota Owners Club forum, a quick google will bring up the results!

Ken

Thanks Ken!

Tbh if it's a minor design defect it doesn't bother me too much, as i mentioned the clutch isn't so heavy that it's going to seriously annoy me. Was more just worried in case it was a sign that the clutch is about to go.

Just as a matter of interest where did you spray the grease to get rid of the squeak? In the pedal assembly or somewhere else like in the video below?

Kencollins

my squeak was coming from the pivot point at the top of the pedal, in the driver footwell. Its been a while since I did the grease but I think I might have unscrewed the plastic trim above the pedals so I could get easier access.

Ken

Rebellion

put the car in gear and with your foot on the brake slowly leave out the clutch pedal just to check the biting point , if the pedal raises up very high its a sign of wear. the clutch isnt the end of the world though purchase wise

JohnBoy26

cunnifferous wrote: »

I put a deposit on an 03 Corolla today. The test drive was fine, everything seemed good but I noticed that the clutch pedal was a bit stiffer/heavier than I've noticed in other car models I've driven and was also a bit squeaky. It was by no means very difficult to press but definitely heavier than any other car I've driven.

There was no slipping in the clutch at all at the bite point felt good, early and certain. I mentioned it to the dealer and had it written on the contract before I paid the deposit that I wanted it to be fixed before I take full purchase of the car (he said was probably just a spring or needed some lubricant).

Just wondering if this is a normal clutch feel for a Corolla (49k) or is it something more insidious that I should be wary of?

Thanks!

Wear in the clutch is usually the cause of a heavy pedal on these. Not saying it's fully worn but it may need to be done in time to come.

Diemos

Mine (2.0 D4D) has a very stiff clutch pedal and I've over 300,000KM on mine, I've owned the car for 8 years (christ, I did not realise I had it that long) but it was heavy on the day I bought it and it's still heavy.
Also there is a rattling/jingling when I pressed the clutch pedal in (clutch bearing, I think). I got the car cheap, I figured and I assume the guy selling it thought the clutch had not long left. I was wrong, it's still fine.
The squeak in the pedal has developed in the past year, I barely notice it.

Service it regularly with good oil and use only good diesel and they give no problems.