Tacoma "grind" noise shifting from second to third gear [video]

It is slightly hard to hear in the videos, and only happens intermittently. A lot of it comes from feeling it through the shifter while also hearing the corresponding noise. While every other gear sounds/feels like its passing through two smooth pieces of metal before landing, third gear sounds/feels like it's passing thought two jagged pieces of metal before landing.

2021 Tacoma TRD Sport, ~33,000 miles. Bought it used last year, has been doing this since I purchased it. I took it to the dealership once, and wasn't able to reproduce it as loud as it is sometimes. They noted it in my file but said they couldn't do anything about it.

I showed them the videos, and have a few more now where it is more pronounced. I have an appointment to take it to the dealership again on Friday, but was wondering if anyone had any more insight on the issue, as I'd rather not waste another 1.5hr round trip for nothing.

I have found some threads online about other people experiencing this specific issue on 3rd gens, and some on 2nd gens. One post said the dealership eventually replaced the entire transmission.

I can't figure out what conditions cause it to happen. Happens with the clutch fully depressed, at different RPM's, etc. Every other gear does not make the noise.

 

Did u check the fluid levels ? Maybe the synchro’s are damaged . Any recent fluid changes to it . Some dealerships are using the gl5 transmission fluid which is a big no no on the manual.

 

I did not check the transmission fluid levels due to it being a closed system, from what I read. Also, it had the entire service done before I bought it for the Toyota Pre-owned Certified deal.

I have read people suggest using Redline MT90 fluid, or Redline Shockproof, to help with the issue. I can ask for them to check the records to see if they changed the transmission fluid with GL5 before I bought it though. Thanks for the insight.

 

I've read that 3rd is the first gear that only has a single cone brass synchro, so it requires a bit more sympathy than the 1-2 shift. Especially when the transmission is cold.

My truck made similar noises/feelings after I grinded 3rd pretty badly one day when was out on a trail in 4 Low. Clutch was in but the gear just decided it didn't want to budge. haha.

I was super easy on the 3rd gear shift for a couple months and things eventually smoothed back out. I started doing an old trick that a buddy with an interwar car taught me, if you hold the gearstick just shy of the click into gear, you'll give the synchro time to spin up and fully mesh the gears. Then the stick will just kind of pop itself into the gear. Being extra gentle helped me, but you're mileage may vary. I understand it's kind of vague advice and it's not really an active solution.

 

I can definitely hear (and feel it) in the 1st video.

Interestingly I've only experienced this with the 1-2 shift when cold.

 

Try changing to Motorcraft XT-M5-QS, it meets the Toyota specifications and has a reputation as a "problem solver" fluid for balky manual transmissions in sports car groups.

I don't shift (or drive) very fast and had experienced occasional first gear blocking and also a "crunchy" second gear shift. I was also frequently conscious of the syncromesh "working" when shifting, I could feel it in the stick, it wouldn't grind but you knew it was there.

The first trip around the block with the Motrocraft fluid was a stunning improvement.
I changed at 30K, now at 80K and it still shifts perfectly.


Motorcraft data sheet:

https://fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/products/transmission-fluid/productdetails?id=1

Rock Auto had the best price.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/motorcraft,XTM5QS,transmission+fluid,13630

 

It isn't a "closed" system, it is a plain old manual transmission with a fill/level plug and a drain plug.

I personally wouldn't trust the dealer service department when it comes to a manual transmission, they see so few of them anymore many of the younger people don't know how to drive one much less the need for a GL 4 rated oil vs the GL 5 they "always use" in axles & transfer cases.

 

I wonder if they will at least try swapping out the fluid based on the videos at least. Hoping it will do it while a tech is with me, but of course, last time I took it up, it didn't lol. Maybe because it was warmed up?

I'd be happy if they made sure it had GL 4 in it with a fluid replacement, or even try the

$33 XT-M5-QS Full Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart, Black

XT-M5-QS, but I doubt a dealership would put that in for me if it's not what Toyota puts out, especially since it's still in their warranty.

Appreciate the insight!

 

What somebody else said. Where did you read manual transmission is a “closed system?” Get fill, and drain plug for manual transmission, and always used GL-4 based gear oil. If you are “mechanically inclined,” you can change out gear oil yourself. If not, have send it out someplace.

 

I believe I was wrong on a few points in saying that. I remember this post as one of the couple I was reading: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transmission-fluid-check.411028/. So that's where I thought I got the term "closed" from, but the term they used was actually "sealed"...and further more I am now realizing that it is in reference to 2nd gens lol. What I was trying to convey is that there isn't a dip stick, only a drain and fill plug.

 

I am having a grinding problem on mine between 3rd and 4th. Happens only when the transmission is warm - I'm at 62k.
I've tried double clutching, RPM matching, and very gentle shifts. No trouble on any other shifts.

 

First step, change the fluid, try the Motorcraft listed in this thread.

 

Dude, you guessed it.

I’m at the service department now (second trip). Really nice and patient tech let me drive him around in another truck to see if it felt the same. It didn’t. They he drove around with me and “kind of” heard it. So I had him drive it and then he could hear and feel it. He wasn’t sure if it was “abnormal” though.

Then I brought up that you guys mentioned the fluid in here and he had someone bring up the service record from when they took it in. We were surprised but for some reason at 30,000 miles they changed the transmission fluid and sure as shit, it was GL-5. So they took it back right away and are replacing it now.

Hopefully this fixes it. I can’t thank you guys enough for the insight and heads up on that. Wouldn’t have found the wrong fluid was put in without it. If this doesn’t fix it, next step is the Morotcraft that Rusty suggested.

Edit: actually just ran back and asked them to use that fluid in the first place and he’s seeing if parts has it on hand. Might as well swap to GL-4 AND the stuff that is supposed to work, if they will.

 

Most likely dealer won't let you go into their Service Department, but when tech drains out manual transmission, they might see brass particles, I don't know.

 

I took mine in to the dealer for my 60k service and asked about the transmission. Once they were finally able to reproduce it (as I said on the ticket, trans needs to be warm bro) they are recommending a new transmission. Fourth gear synchro does not synchro at higher rpm when warm.

Oh, and I'm at 62,500 miles so - that 60k drivetrain warranty, yeah, just expired. I've got them 'asking corporate' for help on the replacement.

 

My 1st Gen did this when the shifter bushing started going bad. But that was on a 10 plus YO vehicle so ? Just throwing it out there.

 

So, it is still doing it after the fluid swap. I called back up and the tech said "they aren't sure what they will do because they're not sure if it is normal or not."



Called my salesman, who has been around the place a while and now they're having me taking it up and leaving in a rental. What they're going to actually do, I'm not sure, but I think they're going to tear into it. I told them I've driven it for a year now with the wrong transmission fluid so I think that warrants them being sure if it is "normal" or not lol.

Yeah "reproducing" it has been the annoying part here, as it is intermittent. First time I went up, I couldn't get it to happen. Second time, I did. The tech stated he heard it but wasn't sure. Had him drive it and it did it for him, and he then ALSO felt it through the shifter, and was certain he felt/heard what I was there for, but again, not sure if it was normal or not lol. Then we went in another MT tacoma and it wasn't doing it. So to me, seems not normal.

I've been driving stick my whole life, nearly, never felt/heard a transmission do this.

 

Have you taken off the boot just to see if it’s anything obvious like the bushing or a linkage issue? This last video makes it look like an internal trans issue but you never know.

 

Mine definitely feels internal to the trans. I can make it not happen by letting the engine coast down to idle then shifting into 4th and bringing it back up to rev as I let out the clutch. I had it happen a couple of time last year, but I was out of practice with a clutch and thought it was poor technique. Hindsight, I should have taken it in and 'registered a complaint' but I didn't.

 

Yeah, they put notes in my history that its been doing it for a year, and I was in for it, even on the time they sent me packing, as a way to note that it's been a thing since that date.

Have you had your transmission fluid changed at all? Have you been only owner?