Nuts and Bolts with Buffalo Jim

Hey Buffalo,

Any way to lengthen the clutch pedal shaft--the one that goes through the fire wall--in a five-speed, 1996 Toyota T-100 4x4 SR-5 Xtra-cab? Can you adjust the pedal to grab closer to the top? Of course that impacts the wear on the clutch, right? I've always had problems with that pedal. It was replaced two years ago because it collapsed. If the clutch and pressure plate is replaced, that doesn't include the shaft, right? Gimme some ideas/suggestions here...

--Tony Romano

Bad news, bro: You don't even have a clutch pedal shaft to lengthen! Your Toyota is equipped with a self-adjusting hydraulic clutch. Basically, the pedal is attached to the clutch master cylinder, which sends hydraulic fluid through a hose to its slave cylinder. The slave cylinder then operates the clutch arm. Believe it or not, this is actually a good thing. It saves you the trouble of ever having to adjust the clutch yourself.

What I can tell you is the bracket that holds your clutch pedal in place is prone to failure. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that that's why your pedal collapsed a few years back. Toyota even sells a part that will reinforce the joint. It's like a $4 or $5 piece, and it will most likely take care of you for the life of the car. The only other thing you can do is stay off the clutch and resist the temptation to drop it into gear with the engine revved. When I was 16 years old, I bought a 1965 GTO, spun up the engine to 7,500 RPMs and popped the clutch into first. That sucker blew out like a ping-pong ball in an elephant gun. I had to sell my drum kit to buy a new one. That was the last time I ever played. And to think, I could have been a rock star.

Buffalo Jim is the owner of Allstate Auto Marine. There are two pictures of him hanging in the Mad Greek Cafe in Baker, Calif. He likes drinking the Mad Greek's strawberry milkshakes. E-mail him your car questions at buffalojim@lasvegasmercury.com.