Rough, gritty feeling clutch pedal

[lilcoues]

My mechanic recommended replacing my stock clutch on my 2002 Tacoma 4x4 with a Luk brand clutch. After the installation, I noticed when I pressed down on the clutch pedal, it felt like the rod plunger on the Master cylinder was scrapping against the spring inside the master cylinder. So I replaced the master cylinder and slave cylinder and the rough, gritty feel to the clutch pedal is still there. Then I started getting a chirping sound coming from where the slave cylinder rod meets the clutch fork. With a slight adjustment extending the Master cylinder rod, it went away. But the rough gritty feel while depressing the clutch pedal remained. Then I noticed a slight grinding of the gears during the shifting of the 3rd to 5Th gears. Again a slight extending adjustment to the master cylinder rod fixed that. But the rough, gritty feel while depressing the clutch pedal remained. When the engine is off, the roughness and gritty feel is not there. The clutch pedal depresses in a smooth fashion. But when I start the engine and depress the clutch pedal, the rough grittiness returns. What is that telling me? Is the throw out bearing riding on the pressure plate fingers? Any info will be helpful.   

[OOPS]

What does your mechanic say, sounds like he screwed up the job!!

[lilcoues]

On 6/6/2014, a Marlin Crawler HD clutch was installed and the Luk clutch was removed from my Tacoma. After removal and inspection of the Luk clutch, I was informed that the pressure plate was defective. One side of it was shiny and looked new. Was never making contact. The Marlin Crawler clutch is smooth and I cannot feel any difference in pedal pressure. Thanks for a great product.
A warning to all. If you have a Luk clutch get rid of it. If you're thinking of installing one or someone has recommended one, as in my case. Don't do it. Mine was a costly mistake.

[ulyssesjurado]

your original post was very descriptive and entertaining.  glad you got it figured out.