5 speed manual iffy 2nd gear?

I was wondering if anyone else was experiencing an iffy 2nd gear. I've tried different ways of shifting, like shifting very quickly or letting the rpm drop a bit before shifting, double clutching, etc. It basically happens when I go from 1st to 2nd. There is this weird pop. It's something I only feel in my hand, I dont hear it and it's not the "DDDdzzzzz" sound of grinding the synchros. Almost like the synchros grind a single teeth before engaging.

I was thinking maybe its because 1st and 2nd are so wide. I was going to wait until 2-3k and replace all the fluids then. Maybe try something like redline to see if it helps. But I mainly made the thread to see if anyone else is experiencing this "issue". Maybe this is normal? I'm not sure.

 

My 2015 does the same thing. I know the 6 speed was a whole new transmison for your generation, but I believe the 5 speed is pretty much the same with a few improvements.

Mine is very intermittent, but I've noticed it happens less often if I accelerate slower and shift around 2000 rpm. Becomes very noticeable if I wait until 2500.

 

Mine does same thing, only it is an audible when I am not paying attention to my shifting. 90,000 miles and it hasnt gone away, have changed fluid twice with Redline MT90. Only suggestion I have is to shift slowly and with lighter pressure. The 2nd gen 5-speed is very finicky and loves drama, tough as nails though. Guess they kept it the same for the 3rd gen.

 

Kinda. It's a R156 now. Gear ratios are different(shorter) although they went with a taller differential gearing so the overall gearing is the same. No clue why they did that.

I have also noticed that once I drive for a good amount the issue goes away so I think it might be a matter if the oil not being at the proper temp. Have you by any chance tried amsoil? I've been kind of divided on which to go with. I've tried redline before and I know it's good stuff so I'm not sure if I should play it safe or take a risk with a new product, although I doubt amsoil Wil be bad.

 

I have not noticed this with my 5 speed since I put AmsOil in the transmission.

I can't downshift from 2nd to 1st while the truck is moving without double clutching, I don't consider this a problem.

 

I always called this the second gear crunch, even though yes you can't really hear it happening unless shifted too fast; you mainly just feel it in the hand. Mine still did it the first few cold shifts with MT90, especially in the winter.

When I tore apart the transmission at 143k to change out some bearings that old synchro ring didn't look too bad and this truck had always done this, so I wouldn't worry. Both R155 and R156 have triple cone synchros on 2nd gear so not much difference there. (I wish this one had a triple on 1st like the new ones though)

Honestly it didn't go away until I threw toyota's gear oil recommendation to the wind and started using motor oil of a similar viscosity after the rebuild (like Chrysler did with the AX15 jeep trannies, very very similar to the R-series). However I would not recommend at all for you to do that under warranty because it would void it. Redline MT90 and Amsoil's manual transmission 75w90 oil shouldn't void the warranty should you make the switch, they're within Toyota's 75w90 GL4 spec

 

In my 2012, my 3rd gear is the finicky one. Has been that way for 50K miles. Doesn't seem to be any worse than new,

 

Was hoping you would chime in on this, you know more about this trans than most. edit: 2nd gen version I mean.

 

My Isuzu that had the aisin ar5 recommended 5w30 and I believe that's basically an R type transmission, though not sure which one.

 

For all that have this problem, does this occur all the time or only when it's cold? Changing to a thiner tranny oil and adding an additive like ceratec will help. I used royal purple synchromax oil I used on my 2014, but that with ceratec made it better...only add half a bottle...it was designed to make the engine run more smooth. Aisin are BS tranny makers. I had the issue with my Z4M, BRZ, and a little bit on the Tacoma. I sold the BRZ because the 2nd gear shifting annoyed the crap out of me. I told the owner before I sold it him.

If it does it all the time, it may help but won't guarantee it.

I did research on this and I contact the apps folks at liqui moly and they recommended half a bottle for the tranny. All summer my tranny was better...in the winter it's still pretty good compared to when I got it when a couple thousand miles on it.

I don't recommend you use motor oil 5w30 in your transmission unless you want an expensive bill. I also don't recommend redline...too thick... didn't do it for my BRZ. MTF2 is more expensive if I remember, but I tried that for my BRZ...RP I used on my Z4M and now on the Taco. It's still gear oil...stay away from motor oil unless the manufacturer states it otherwise expect a short life transmission.

The best is to look up the oil viscosity spec of each brand you would use and look at different temps what the protection is required. Some brands are super thick at cold temps so it makes shifting difficult until fully operating temperature.

I found this thread out of curiosity for 5 speed tranny swap on my regular cab. Seems Toyota changed the R156 and final drive to support the weight of the truck. I can't believe they use the 2TR-FE on a truck that size...I thought my regular cab was heavy enough, but the access cabs and double cabs are a lot heavier, so they had to go with 3.91 gears. My regular cab has 3.31 gears, but smaller tires.

 

Just wanted give an update. Issue kept persisting even with Redline MT90. After 35k with the MT90 I decided to service the transmission with a different fluid as there were signs of the fluid deteriorating.

At 35k the MT90 definitely need to be replaced as the transmission was actually grinding a good amount when shifting to 2nd gear. It got to the point where the synchros would make the dreaded dddzzzz sound. I want to say the additives package was exhausted as the fluid that came out looked clean. Also note that I only have these issues when the transmission is cold with the ambient temperature being in the 30s or colder and would improve as the fluid warmed up.

I used motul gear 300 75w90 this time and the issue has dissapeared completely. I'll update after putting 10k on the oil to see if anything changes. Motul says this stuff has 0% shear, so we'll see. So far it seems like it's an excellent lubricant, but I only have about 590 miles on it so who knows if anything changes with increased mileage.

 

Let’s do another update I guess. The motul after a thousand or so miles also developed the same issue. At 60k miles I was ordering gear oil for the differentials and transfer case and I found some liquimoly 75w90 GF4 for $7 a quart. I said fuck it and bought some. Initially the liquimoly was the best performing gear oil I had tried so far. After 500 miles or so, back to the same old shit.
I’m still on the liquimoly @70k miles on the truck.
About 2 weeks ago I installed a short shifter which some say fixes it, for me it didn’t. My conclusion is that this is just the way the transmission is and to stop stressing it. It seems like once these gear oils break in and shear a little bit the problem comes about. I wonder if a 75w110 weight gear oil would fix the issue completely, though I haven’t seen anything in that weight made for GF4 spec. On long drives when the transmission gets nice and hot all the gears shift flawlessly so this is either purely mechanical thing and certain parts need to get hot and expand to mesh smoothly or it’s something with the viscosity of oil. It seems like the notchiness of the 2nd gear is more prevalent in colder weather hence I think it’s temperate related.

anyways, there is one more gear oil on the list that I’ll do in 5k or so. From what I’ve read a lot of Miata guys have a similar issue and Ford makes a trans oil that they swear by. I’m going to try it because at this point, why not? Though I don’t have any expectations. I’d love to know what the factory fill oil is, because I didn’t have any issues until I tried being a smartass and started using “premium” trans oils because they’re “better”. Sadly dealers don’t have any part numbers and a couple tried selling me the Toyota WS ATF saying that’s what they use.