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[Help] 05 Tacoma manual transmission hard to shift

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by pickle_rick, Aug 16, 2017.

  1. Aug 16, 2017 at 7:27 PM
    #1
    pickle_rick

    pickle_rick [OP] Member

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    Got a 2005 tacoma single cab 4cyl (2tr-fe), pre-runner, 2wd, 5spd manual (r155) with ~130,000 miles on it. 1 owner (me.)

    Problem:
    • Hard to shift into first gear from a stop, especially bad when the tranny warms up. No noise or grinding, just hard to shift. Double clutch and or shifting into other gears and then into first helps.
    • Hear an audible clunk sound when going into 2nd from higher rpms. Not super loud but you can still hear it. Shifting into 2nd from lower rpms (or waiting until the engine has completely spun down) the cluck is not there. Double clutching causes the shift to be much smoother and no audible clunk within the cab.
    • 3rd and 4th are easier, but feel some hesitancy going into gear. Waiting until the engine has completely spun down causes the shift to be smoother.
    • 5th is smooth, but I hardly touch it when city driving.
    • Clutch pedal does squeak audibly from outside the vehicle.
    Work done so far:
    I have a hard time believing that 1-2 & 3-4 synchros are all bad. Any chance this is a worn clutch disk or bad pressure plate? Bad master cylinder? Pilot and or throw out bearing (I hear something rattling like a mofo in idle with the AC on)? Flush the tranny again and fill with mt90 or amsoil mtg? Spend $550 dollars on bearing/synchro kit? With labor thats gonna get expensive!

    Any help/advice would be appreciated.
     
  2. Aug 16, 2017 at 7:34 PM
    #2
    Braves95

    Braves95 Go Clemson Tigers

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    A rattle might be the clutch on the compressor?
     
  3. Aug 16, 2017 at 7:37 PM
    #3
    Braves95

    Braves95 Go Clemson Tigers

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    Can u shift without using the clutch? Rpm shifting?
    Just sitting without engine running how does the clutch feel? Does the clutch make the squeaky sound?
     
  4. Aug 16, 2017 at 7:42 PM
    #4
    pickle_rick

    pickle_rick [OP] Member

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    At idle with the AC and the clutch pedal pressed, it goes away. When at idle and AC is on with the clutch pedal not pressed, I hear a rattle.

    Shifting the tranny with the engine off is easier. There is some hesitancy going into gears occasionally but not like the problems with the engine on. Squeaking sound is present regardless and is worse in the summer time.

    Haven't tried shifting without clutch. Not entirely sure what rpm shifting is. Like clutch in, revving, and then trying to go into gear?
     
  5. Aug 16, 2017 at 7:45 PM
    #5
    Braves95

    Braves95 Go Clemson Tigers

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    Rpm shifting is like they do in nascar. They have the right Rpm. Come out in gear in the right Rpm range. But don't do it if not sure. It will grind like hell if u don't do it right. I learned on a old bronco. Leaky master cylinder so to save fluid had to shift with Rpm.
     
  6. Aug 16, 2017 at 7:47 PM
    #6
    Braves95

    Braves95 Go Clemson Tigers

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    When u hear the rattle open the hood and see if it's coming from the clutch on the compressor. With ac off and just sitting and with having the pedal pushed in does it shift fine. Go through all the gears and Rev?
     
  7. Aug 16, 2017 at 7:53 PM
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    Braves95

    Braves95 Go Clemson Tigers

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    If u replace the clutch do it all at once.
    Clutch
    Release bearing/ throw out bearing
    Pressure plate.
    Once u have it apart have the fly wheel looked at to make sure it's still in good shape.
    Now with the squeak on clutch make sure the pedal has lithum grease on all the joints/ moving parts.
     
  8. Aug 16, 2017 at 7:54 PM
    #8
    Braves95

    Braves95 Go Clemson Tigers

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    Have u replaced a clutch before if not. Make sure to get a align tool. Keeps everything centered.
     
  9. Aug 16, 2017 at 8:09 PM
    #9
    pickle_rick

    pickle_rick [OP] Member

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    Not replaced a clutch before, but I know a good local mechanic who has reasonable rates. Have a buddy that I could try and twist his arm to do it. Bought a Aisin clutch kit from rock auto (clutch disc, pressure plate, bearings, alignment tool.)

    With AC off and sitting at idle with the clutch pedal pressed in:
    • Going into first can be hard, but no noise. Going into another gear and then into first helps a lot.
    • 2nd gear doesn't clunk.
    • Keeping the clutch pedal pressed in and going through all of the gears once results in the going into any gear after that feel buttery smooth. Which I guess is expected?
     
  10. Aug 16, 2017 at 8:29 PM
    #10
    Taco Nation

    Taco Nation Well-Known Member

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    My 05 5 speed had all the characteristics you described even after a brand new clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing. I just leaned to live with it. When preparing to take off I would always press the clutch and then shift to second then first and taking off as normal. Shifting to second was much easier and allowed the first gear synchro to catch up. Then the shift from first to second was fine and so was second to third. Forth to fifth was almost as difficult as first.
     
  11. Aug 16, 2017 at 8:43 PM
    #11
    pickle_rick

    pickle_rick [OP] Member

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    :( afraid someone was gonna say they did a clutch change and it didn't do anything. I was really hoping the shifter seat was the issue but no luck.
     
  12. Aug 16, 2017 at 8:45 PM
    #12
    Taco Nation

    Taco Nation Well-Known Member

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    I did not replace the pilot bearing when I did mine so the rattle that remained could have come from that but I don't think the pilot bearing could cause the other shifting issues. Especially since we share the same exact issues.
     
  13. Aug 16, 2017 at 8:48 PM
    #13
    Braves95

    Braves95 Go Clemson Tigers

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    It's best to do all at once. But do have the fly wheel looked at. It's like your brake rotor. Make sure there isn't any grooves or excessive burns/ build up. And check the bolts are to spec.
     
  14. Aug 16, 2017 at 8:50 PM
    #14
    Taco Nation

    Taco Nation Well-Known Member

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    I meant to swap the pilot bearing but with all the chaos of building the motor and reinstalling it and putting everything else together I just forgot it. Didn't notice till it was all together that I had a spare part.
     
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  15. Aug 16, 2017 at 8:57 PM
    #15
    Braves95

    Braves95 Go Clemson Tigers

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    Haha. Sorry not meaning to laugh. But I've done that many times. Things seem to.work. then bam what's this for. Hey it works so why use it.
     
  16. Aug 16, 2017 at 8:59 PM
    #16
    Taco Nation

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    All good! I was laughing typing it. Spare parts is just a sign I made it better. At least thats what they tell me
     
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  17. Aug 16, 2017 at 9:01 PM
    #17
    Braves95

    Braves95 Go Clemson Tigers

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    That's funny.
     
  18. Aug 16, 2017 at 9:03 PM
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    Taco Nation

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    This was me making it better
     
  19. Aug 16, 2017 at 9:04 PM
    #19
    Taco Nation

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  20. Aug 16, 2017 at 9:05 PM
    #20
    Braves95

    Braves95 Go Clemson Tigers

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    U left that out? That will make it worse. Just saying.
     

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