2006 Tacoma 6 speed shifter moves side to side even in gear

I am helping my brother while he works out of state. Someone borrowed his 2006 Tacoma 4.0 with 6 speed and returned it with burnt clutch. Everything works great after dealer clutch install, except now the shifter moves very freely side to side. It even moves all the way side to side while in gear. It shifts good, stays in gear, and the clutch operates properly, its just he says the shifter wasn't loose like that before the install. Being a former mechanic (soreback) I realize they didnt deal at all with the transmission or shifter. I see a lot of discussion on worn bushings, It could be that, but it just seems like more play than the seat or the bushings. Hes trying to sell it but when someone looks at, it their first comment is, "the shifter sure feels real loose" ... any ideas?

 

I have a really novel idea. Take it back to the dealer and demand that they fix it as it wasn't like that when they took delivery.

 

What JimmyH said. Also my 06 6-speed was like that. Replaced with a short shifter and its great now.

 

Going back to dealer is exactly what I would have done, but not an option now. Time has passed and dealer is now 400 miles away. I've been seeing discussions on the short shifter, looks like that might be my next step. Im not getting any excitement with potential buyers over the 6 speed, the loose shifter isn't helping. Personally it dosnt bother me, but its been a deal breaker most every time. I just haven't had the right person in it yet. The truck is otherwise in excellent condition, service records have been kept since birth. Thanks for the replies...

 

The rubber inside the shifter lever is blown out. It was probably ready to go, and then got some rough handling. The rubber inside the shifter always gives up sooner or later. It's a well know problem. I'm getting ready to rebuild mine with polyurethane rubber, and I have a few extras to rebuild as well. They will be firmer, but still retain the vibration resistance. If you are interested, PM me.

 

First my shifter wouldn't shift into gear and I had to replace the cup in the bottom of the shifter housing. After that was nice and tight the looseness of the shifter became more apparent. Like others have said, the rubber in the shifter arm came loose. If you are trying to sell it, replace it with a new stock shifter, they are cheaper than the short shifter and the new owner probably wont care what shifter is in the truck.

 

Replace the rubber piece and you should be good to go! I remember seeing it when I took the shifter off to do the urd short shifter. There is also a white nylon bushing that could wear out iirc.

I am surprised people aren't excited to see a 6 speed. Around here it's like seeing a unicorn and the ones that go on Craigslist sell really fast. Whether or not the 6 speed is a worse transmission for some reason certain people love them.

 

I don’t think the rubber piece in the transmission is his main issue. I think it’s the rubber in the shift lever that dampens the transmission vibrations on the shifter is loose.

 

I believe you're looking for one of these (the white one)



http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/heav...wler-mctm-521-mctm-522-mctn-523-mctm-523.html

 

This is correct

 

Where is this located? I still have trouble shifting into 1st sometimes, even after the TRD Short shifter.

Is it this rubber part? Sorry its blurry, and the only pic I have after replacing my shifter.

 

The rubber and plastic cup is located at the bottom of the hole in the picture you posted. When that disintegrated I couldn’t shift into 3rd or 5th gears. That is the part sold by marlin crawler referenced in post #9 After replacing that part, I still had a wobbly shifter.

The rubber part that causes the shifter to wobble is in the actually shifter stick. The top of the shifter stick is about 7/16” diameter and as you go lower it mushrooms out to about and inch and a half. The rubber is there.

 

Thanks everybody. I’m gonna look into it myself this weekend. From what I’m hearing from Badger and others, i think it’s the shift lever (stick) while I’m there probably replace the seat and bushing.

 

thanks Mystert, I believe thats gonna be my plan...

 

If I just go with genuine Toyota part, it looks like 33530-35642 shift lever assembly. Is there a better (quality or price) way to go?

 

I ended up buying the short shifter but since you are selling yours, I would just go with the cheaper stock part. Get the stock shift lever and sell it. The prices are all over the place online, can vary by like $100 based on the website/dealership. Ive bought from trdparts.com before. I think there are cheaper dealers though.

 

I have a short shifter, so I had that entire shifter swapped out. Thought you were talking about something else.
Still have some issues with 1st, but that's a different thread I guess.

 

$130~? I wonder if it will still be wobbly/loose, if you get the same genuine part. Might as well get the URD SS.

https://www.urdusa.com/urd-short-throw-shifters/