3.0 D4D Manual Clutch - 1st gear shudder

[HoodedClaw]

Hello All

Recently joined the community and introduced myself in the noob section

My Hilux is only 100km old. I have been cruising around getting used to the feel of the vehicle but something is bothering me.

On 1st gear pull off especially under load (let's say on an incline pull off) where I need to give a bit more revs.
I get a very noticeable shudder through the gear lever. It happens just before the clutch takes (which is quite high)
This only happens in 1st gear. And like I say only under load. On normal slow pull off it's fine and the other gears are all fine. I even pull off in 2nd gear and it does not happen.

Could it be a problem?
OR am I just being paranoid?

Thanks gents. I have read through some of the other threads and I see there are similar issues but not really so much on a brand new vehicle.

[Mars]

Hi Jakes and welcome to the forum. There have been issues with Hilux clutches so if I were in your shoes I would make sure that you bring the shuddering to the attention of the Service Advisor when you take it for it's first service. Does the whole vehicle shudder or only the gear lever? Mine started shuddering (the whole vehicle) under similar conditions but that was close to the time that I replaced the clutch.

[Mud Dog]

I've also heard of a few instances of clutch problems with the Vigo series. It's certainly not something that should be regarded as normal and fully agree that it should be brought to the attention of the dealership / service manager, but I wouldn't wait until the next service to do so. I would let them know about it immediately, preferably followed up by an e-mail so that there is a record of the report. If they want to wait till the next service to attend to it, that's up to you and again I would prefer to have it sorted ASAP just in case there is still a problem after you get it back, then you can notify them and still wait till the next service if you want to.

[Thabogrobler]

With 100km on the clock I would propmtly return the vehicle to the dealership and polite, yet firmly insist on a new replacement vehicle!

[HoodedClaw]

Thanks for the heads up gents

[Die$eL]

I agree, if you can get the entire vehicle replaced that would be first prize

you dont want to be sitting with issues later. Having the Toyota "Technicians" work on your vehicle is a recipe for disaster.

On my 86 they worked on the gearbox. In the process the box is now worse than before, the cigarette lighter no longer works (they didnt plug it back in when done with the repair), they tore the leather boot surrounding the gear lever, they broke a clip on the handbrake surround cover thing and I found a bolt lying under the car in the garage.
I'm too scared to take it back to them!

[HoodedClaw]

Gosh, so I got some feedback from Toyota today.

They want to replace the whole clutch next week Monday. The vehicle has 400km on the clock.
I'm worried

[Changes]

Let them do the replacement, insist you stand and watch the process..... give them stick all the way..!!!!

[Die$eL]

Try your best to get the vehicle replaced. Speak to the dealer principal

[HoodedClaw]

So after much debating and many phone calls I am getting a brand new vehicle...

I think Toyota South Africa are actually very good at what they do. Even though they are not the ones replacing my vehicle. The dealership is doing the replacement as they feel it's the right way forward.
I owned a MErcedes BEnz before this and must say Toyota South africa are leaps and bounds ahead of them in terms of customer service.

Cheers and thanks for all the feedback.

[4x4BEES]

That's awesome news. Congrats on the NEWER bakkie.

[Mars]

Great news. I have to agree with you on the Mercedes part. I had the same experience and will never buy a Mercedes again because of that.

[Die$eL]

Excellent news!!!! Congrats!

[HoodedClaw]

Well, it turns out the brand new bakkie I got given has the exact same problem

I have lost faith in the brand!

[observer]

My Fortuner had the same issue...had about 6 combinations of clutch/flywheel/pressure plate etc replacements done in the first 40k odd km and gave up as the issue kept on returning. At 82k km I had a whining gearbox (1,2,3,5 gear) and they replaced a LOT of gearbox parts under warranty (service bulletin out for this issue).

To my surprise the shudder completely disappeared and it is still gone 2k km later. Wish I knew what resulted in it disappearing.....

[Bokkeman]

Jakes, I can only sympathise.
I took delivery of a new Hilux bakkie at around the same time as you - same clutch shudder suddenly developed with 500km on the clock.
I opted for the clutch replacement as per their service bulletin ... and now with 2500km on the clock the shudder is back with a vengeance! So even going that route would not have helped you.

What happened in the end? Did you get another new bakkie, or did they replace your clutch?

[Mud Dog]

Sounds almost as if they had a bad batch of bell-housings resulting in a misaligned spigot shaft, hence the recurring shudder and the eventual gearbox whine.

[HoodedClaw]

Hi there.

I got a 2nd bakkie and it had the exact same problem. Bad batch from the supplier. After all the arguing with Toyota SA and the dealer I opted to get it fixed. They replaced it with an apparent "uprated" clutch.
All good so far. I hope you get sorted bud.