How to Adjust the Hydraulic Clutch in a 2001 Camry

Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of Toyota, actually began his entrepreneurial life as an automatic loom builder in 1924. The first Toyoda-built vehicle, the AA Sedan, rolled off assembly lines in 1936, and the following year Toyota Motor Company became a reality. The Camry has been a staple in Toyota's lineup since the 1983 model year, and its success continues at the time of this publication. The 2001 Camry CE and LE V-6 trim levels came standard with a five-speed manual transmission and a hydraulic clutch system. The hydraulic clutch system only has two possible adjustments -- pedal height and free play -- as the system's hydraulics self-adjusts parts that old cable-driven clutches could not.

Instructions

Adjusting Clutch Pedal Height

1

Adjust the driver's seat to its farthest back position, and use a tape measure to measure the distance between the surface of the clutch pedal -- where your foot presses -- to the floorboard directly behind it.

On 2.2-liter-equipped Camrys, this distance should be between 6-17/100 inches and 6-57/100 inches. On 3.0-liter-equipped models, this distance should be between 6-37/100 inches and 6-19/25 inches. If the measurement is not within these specifications, you need to adjust the clutch pedal height.

2

Find the clutch pedal height adjustment bolt -- the on the top of the clutch pedal, closest to the driver's seat. Loosen the locking nut on the clutch pedal height adjustment bolt, using a combination wrench.

3

Tighten or loosen the height adjustment bolt -- measuring the height between turns -- using a combination wrench, until the clutch pedal height reaches the specifications listed in Step 1.

4

Tighten the locking nut on the clutch pedal height adjustment bolt, using a combination wrench.

Adjusting Clutch Free Play

5

Adjust the driver's seat as far rearward as it will go.

6

Measure the distance between the flat part of the clutch pedal stalk, just above the clutch pedal pad, and the floorboard behind the clutch pedal. Notate this measurement, and keep the tape measure in the same position. Press the clutch pedal, by hand, until you feel resistance on the pedal. Notate the distance between the floorboard and the clutch.

Subtract the second measurement from the first; the result is the pedal's free play. The correct free play for the 2001 Camry's clutch pedal is 197/1000 of an inch to 591/1000 of an inch. If the free play is outside of this specification, the push rod requires adjustment.

7

Find the clutch pedal push rod -- the rod behind the top of the clutch pedal stalk that goes through the vehicle's firewall. Loosen the locking nut on the clutch pedal side of the push rod, using a combination wrench.

8

Rotate the clutch pedal push rod with a combination wrench -- the push rod has small, flat spots to grip with the wrench -- clockwise or counterclockwise in 1/4-turn increments. Check the clutch pedal free play between each interval, using the process outlined in Step 2. Repeat this step until you correctly set the clutch pedal's free play.

9

Tighten the clutch pedal push rod's locking nut with a combination wrench.