Do I need to change my clutch

September 2, 2020

Hi I have had my Avensis for 3 and a half months as my first car, a 2005 1.8 petrol colour collection.

I noticed the clutch was a bit light recently and I have been looking into it on here and have tried testing the clutch. Did this by holding the car on the footbrake putting the car in first and slowly lifting off the clutch whilst keeping my feet on the brake. I almost had my foot off the clutch when the car stalled so I think it’s worn.

Do I need to get it changed and the flywheel checked too?

Many thanks Ben

September 3, 2020

I have since done another test, get to 35-40 mph in top gear hold the clutch, rev to mid revs (I did 3500 then 4000 and then nearly 5000 at different points in my test) and drop the clutch. When I dropped the clutch, the revs decreased rapidly showing the clutch is still biting. I guess this means the clutch doesn’t need to be changed.

September 5, 2020

I have had two Avensis (Mk1 '98 and Mk3 '09) and the biting point is high, old and with a new clutch. Also the effort is lighter on the new clutch, compared to the old. The only clue I had that the clutch needed replacing in both cases, when it started slipping especially under load. When I had the clutch replaced on the current car, I caught it as the rivets were nearly level to the friction material!
Check the hydraulic system from master to slave cylinder for leaks. Pump the clutch pedal and see if the biting point changes. This could mean the fluid needs bleeding.

Overall the car should be fine.

September 8, 2020

Ok thanks for the reply, I will check the hydraulic system tomorrow for any leaks and then do the test for any biting point changes. I’m happy to say that the clutch doesn’t slip when I have been driving

September 9, 2020

Put the car in a leveled place and perform one test: Engage first gear and rev it to almost redline, if the car moves, can be an hydraulic leak and need to get bleed because the clutch don't release completely. I have an avensis 2.0 wich sometimes slipped and others don't so can also be your case. The rivets were almost facing the material, so the clutch was trash but sometimes still could drive normally even on higher acceleration.