Expert: Sean Halliday - 12/20/2007

Question
hey sean, i have an 86 toyota 4x4, i also have the haynes repair manual the covers 78-89 which has long scince paid for itself(well it was in the glovebox when i bought her i wont waste your time listing all the parts ive replaced)
i was wheelin the other day and all of the sudden i heard a rattlin sound almost like my timing chain fell off the bottom gear, but after further inspection i noticed that pressing the clutch reduces the sound to almost nothing, all my gears work fine(shes got 258,2xx miles so shes not as zippy as she used to be) but the rattly spinin sound occurs sometimes taking off in first, in between first and second, the begining of second, and then sometimes in between the rest of the gears, usually by the time im in third axcelerating towards freeway speed there is no noise until  i hit the clutch to up shift. ohh yeah, and she extra doesnt like me to downshift to slowdown now. i guess its a good thing i finally replaced my brakemaster cylinder. about 2 years ago i put a rebuilt transmission/new clutch disc/pressure plate, pilot/release bearings in her myself because im too poor to pay a shop to do it(heck, for what they charge i could just buy a wholenuther truck) so i know how deep im commited if my suspicions are correct. whether its one of my clutch parts or my timing chain ill be up to my elbows, but im hopin against hope that ive missed something really simple. i do appreciate your time,knowledge and willingness to share both, so im gonna go ahead and thank you in advance........
THANX!

Answer
When you press the clutch thats a clue.It sounds like the throw out bearing has gone out or the pressure plate itself.If it was your timing chain,you would know because the engine would stop right away.2 years on a new clutch is a short time but it depends on what you bought.Also how you drive the car.unfortunately i cannont diagnose noise online,i can only go by what information you give me.Best to get a second opinion from a reputable shop but im pretty certain its the clutch.As its a major job you want to be sure.