Clutch slipping in 4th gear only

[oly884]

So, on my way to the good ol' park and ride, I noticed that my clutch starting to slip in 4th gear. I backed off the throttle and shifted into 3rd to see if it was going to do it there, nope.

Accelerated in 3rd, back into 4th, and yep, slippage at half-throttle. Shifted into 5th, no slipping at all between 40-60 WOT. No slipping in 1st or 2nd either.

Anyone have any explanation for this other than, new clutch?

If indeed the suggestion is a new clutch, is it illegal to throw it through the window of the dealership that replaced it 6 months ago? :chair: (note: I am not going to throw my clutch through the window of the dealership)

Also, if it is gone already, any suggestions for a more heavy-duty clutch as my camper definitely does take a toll on my clutch.

[04 Rocko Taco]

I have had a ton of luck and love for my Marlin 1200lb HD clutch. I'm not sure about the applications for the newer vehicles, but I would definitely check. I also have had a lot of luck with Excedy Performance Clutches. I have heard rumors that they make the TRD clutches, but obviously cannot put any truth behind this or not.

As far as youe tech issue, I don't really know why or how a clutch would slip only in one gear. I would not think that the gear ratios are that different to put enough of a difference of strain on the clutch in the different gears to make it slip in one and not in another. Clutches are relatively cheap and easy to replace, but you may also want to look into any checking out the trans.

[oly884]

I have had a ton of luck and love for my Marlin 1200lb HD clutch. I'm not sure about the applications for the newer vehicles, but I would definitely check. I also have had a lot of luck with Excedy Performance Clutches. I have heard rumors that they make the TRD clutches, but obviously cannot put any truth behind this or not.

As far as youe tech issue, I don't really know why or how a clutch would slip only in one gear. I would not think that the gear ratios are that different to put enough of a difference of strain on the clutch in the different gears to make it slip in one and not in another. Clutches are relatively cheap and easy to replace, but you may also want to look into any checking out the trans.


Well, being a manual transmission, I don't believe it is the cause of the slip. No noise from grinding gears, etc. The symptoms are identical to a slipping clutch, it's just that the slipping in 4th gear that has me wondering. I found this: http://www.ncttora.com/FSM/2003/Repair_Manual/03tacoma/cl/cluped/insp.pdf so I'm going to give it a try when I get home.

[04 Rocko Taco]

I use the same FSM for my Taco. NC TTORA has some good resources as far as FSM's go. I agree about the trans, was just sort of thinking out loud. Hope you get it figured out without to much hassle. If you lived closer, I'd help you drop it all out.

[oly884]

Thanks Chris!

I'm going to really make sure that 5th gear isn't slipping first. Like I said, I really tried this morning, but I think I may have to hit some higher speeds/higher RPM's in 5th gear as it may have been that the RPM's were too low in 5th to give it enough power to slip.

If that is the case, wtf.

How does a clutch go bad in 6 months? And no, my driving habits haven't changed, nor did I roast the clutch at any point in its life.

[corax]

Do you have the receipt from when you had it replaced? Most OEM parts carry a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty - it's worth checking into at least. If the replacement clutch got contaminated somehow during install (oil or greasy fingerprints, even adhesive from a sticker on the friction surface) it could take a little while to start acting up.