1st Gen transmission issues

I have done some searching on this forum and I haven't found anything about first gen transmission issues. What is easy to find is 4x4 conversions and 3rd gen transmission issues. So I apologize if I missed it somewhere.

The other day on the way to work about 30min into my commute, I accelerated from a green light and had the experience of the truck clunking pretty hard. Initially I thought maybe I had hit a little patch of ice and the rear wheels losing a little traction and then catching again but just wasn't sure. The rest of the way to work was uneventful.

Then on my way home yesterday, the truck did the same exact thing in the same exact spot. Of course my reaction to this was "what the heck is up with that spot". There was nothing in the road or anything. So I started going through the whole troubleshooting process in my mind.

I considered perhaps axle wrap but ruled that out because I know I already have a little bit of that and this clunk was taking place well after brake release and loading up the leaf springs. So.. the next thing I considered was perhaps a broken leaf spring. Looked that over and nope I couldn't see any problems other than the fact that they are old and tired.

So...I now considered ujoints and the telescoping part of the drive shaft. Well I did just regrease all of that the other day. I crawled under there again just to check for play, tightness of bolts, wheels on good, any trash around the drive shaft etc. Everything looked great! Clean and tight.

Next up was the transmission and here is where the problem is. I noticed that between 3rd and 4th (automatic tranny), there was this harsh shift. So I checked the the fluid. It was nice and pink, didn't smell burnt, but was a little bit low (half a quart). I added the necessary amount of fluid and went out for a test. I couldn't get it to do it it again. Okay that's good but... Only half a quart low and hard shifting? Come on really? I don't feel at ease about this.

I driped it off at a reputable transmission shop this morning to have a diagnostic done just for a peace of mind that everything is alright. I never had any check engine light during any of this. I suppose that perhaps the check light could be in need of replacement but I don't think so because I just cleared a code for the gas vent nuccance the other day.

Thoughts? Man...I hope everything is alright. I'm saving for better suspension and this will eat into that.

 

i had something similar happen last year. i didn't take it to a trans shop because i was broke. the trans ended up puking it's guts on the freeway. had to have it rebuilt to the tube of 2400. if you have any weird shifting issues it'll be much cheaper to have it taken care of before it goes out and takes the rest of the trans, and even radiator, with it.

you did the right thing. hopefully the trans shop is good. my shop was reputable also but mine still has a firm shift going into overdrive. they opened it up again and fixed it but it to another week. and the hard shift came back again.
anyway good luck

 

Oh man! Nooooooooo!!!!!! Thanks for the response sir. Hopefully this is caught soon enough. I suppose I should be happy I've gone 211k before having a problem.

 

This sounds like a job for @gearcruncher !

 

Just picked the truck up. Everything checked out just fine. Mech said that being a half quart low could've caused a valve to get a little stuck but, the diagnostic machine didn't show anything. He said he drove it some, checked the fluid and everything looks great.

Whew! Scary!!!!

 

1/2 a quart low is too low . I agree with your trans shop . These transmissions get real finicky when they get thirsty

 

You mentioned a clunk. Did you check the carrier bearing?

 

Man! That's just crazy to me. The book says it holds 10.5 quarts. .5 of a quart just doesn't seem like a whole lot to me. Well...lesson learned I guess.

I did check it. In fact I had it replaced last year. It's still good a tight no play.

 

Yeah that’s strange indeed. Who knows what it is, haha.

 

At least you caught it quickly


I feel sorry for the owners of the brand new trucks who are driving around with low fluid and dont know it " YET "
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

 

So there should be no play at all in the carrier bearing? I'm dealing with a similar clunk now that I cant seem to figure out. Tranny fluid seems fine but I can never get it up to 175deg per the scanguage.