Manual Transmission Sound

yeah, after my taco was put back together and i went in for inspection at local yota dealer for the excessive drop in MPG after all the new stuff they noted oil weep between the transmission and transfer case mating area. i dont know what the hell is going on in there when reassembled transfer oil level was fine when i checked but the transmission was a little below full. when i cracked the tranny fill plug Nothing weeped out but i could still feel the level with the bent pinky finger check. probably could be a bad transmission seal, would it be damaged upon reassembly remating of the transfer case Or a faulty seal come from the Yota1 shop

in 5th gear at that speed range 50-70mph the stick wobbles vibrates like a hula dancer, it stops wobbling somewhere over 70. in 4th gear at those speeds there is NO noticeable wobble in the stick.

no 5th gear upgrade, i did not know that was even a thing LoL
the RPMs in the rebuilt do run a bit higher than my original R150F did, which may or may not contribute to the nearly 50 miles lost per full tank of taco juice

Nick told me it was rebuilt from an '02 Taco core...

 

Chiming in on this as well. From a previous post I did last year. 30K miles on everything is fine:

"Many, many threads on the 5 speed whines (days can be spent trying to figure it out). Pretty common. Even on rebuilt Marlin crawler trannys with new clutches.

Two years ago my W59 started whining with only 80K original miles on it. Clutch in = silence, clutch out = whine except in 4th it was silent as its direct drive. I had the tranny rebuilt by a very reputable shop in Cupertino recommended by many TW users for $1150 with a new NSK bearing kit. Had another very reputable shop do the R&R and put in a new fork, ball, clutch, bearings, resurfaced flywheel and put in a new rear main seal while everything was open (all OEM or Asin). $3K for everything and I should get another 100K easy. And guess what.... it still whines but runs fine.

My advice would be to drive it. If you open it all up and replace everything new... be prepared to have it still whine."

 

I pulled my 5spd in an afternoon, by myself, on the driveway.
I did have the truck up on jacks.
Lowered the tranny onto my chest and then let it roll off to driveway.
I switched out everything but flywheel and put in new rear main seal.
I was so pooped by evening I couldn't bench press the tranny back up into position.
A buddy came over the next day and helped me get it back in.
I'm old, 5'10 & 190. Not a muscular guy, just determined.

A couple young bucks could have it out and back in 8 hours max.

 

This is all speculation:

After much additional "research" and reading, I'm assuming this problem begins with a worn thrust washer (located on the rear of countershaft) or worn spacers on the counter shaft (and potentially a worn input shaft bearing). This worn thrust washer likely results in additional axial (x, y, z) tilt/play from the rear and a misalignment of the input shaft and countershaft underload in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears (marginal in 5th). This results in excessive wear on the input shaft, 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears (minimal on 5th). The input shaft is always spinning even in neutral and is always meshed with the countershaft gear. A whine in neutral is likely due to a worn input shaft bearing, worn countershaft bearings, or worn gear teeth faces between the input and countershafts (this is less likely due to 4th gear being silent, although axial tilt underload can still wear these teeth).

Although, if you're not experiencing any whine in 4th gear this likely means the whine must come from a load-related component like:

• Input shaft bearings (not under torque in 4th)
• Countershaft bearings (not under torque in 4th)
• Thrust washer movement (allows axial tilt on countershaft under load (mates with input shaft))
• Main shaft or Countershaft gear mesh underload (axial tilt applied)
• Input shaft misalignment only under loaded gears (on the opposite side of the thrust washer, so likely taking the most beating).

It may be possible to:

• replace all bearings, synchros etc
• inspect gears wear and condition to spec
• inspect shaft runout to spec
• polish shafts
• replace thrust washer and spacers/shims

And have no whine.

Although if this problem has persisted for a lengthy period of time (99% of the time) there will likely be patterns on the gears/shafts that may still cause noise (and or ovaling in the case shaft bore resulting in bad bearing fitment).

To my knowledge... The best way to get rid of this noise would be a new input shaft and countershaft matched set... (I'm not responsible if this doesn't work out)

Or just keep your current shafts if they check out and enjoy the (hopefully) reduced whining since you replaced the bearings. Although the new thrust washer may result in new sounds from the gears on your old shafts now that they're back in factory/spec alignment (not what they're used to for the last 80-120k mi).

I will follow up with y'all after the rebuild and give you my data point/results.

 

Thanks for this...very helpful. Did you take your transmission up to Yota1 yet?

I called Joe to ask about the shafts. I asked if mine were damaged and needed to be replaced, did he have them in stock. He said yes. He was kind of busy and it was late in their day, so I couldn't talk with him too long. I'm scheduled for them to drop, rebuild, and re-install in late June. I will spend some time with them when I drop off. If it takes longer than the 5 days they have mentioned, so be it. I will need to rent a car for the duration, oh well. Renting thru Costco is about $200 for 5 days.

I also got a quote from my trusted local shop. They are similar in price but need two weeks. They (and Yota1) will warranty the transmission plus install for 1 year. They send it to a rebuilder in Sacramento they have worked with for years (hence, they warranty their work). So I think I have two good options.

Once we have a 2nd vehicle, I can consider doing more of the work myself, but I think this is beyond what I would want to try. Also, if the same place is rebuilding and installing, the warranty situation is perhaps better. If there are issues, they can't point to the installation as the issue, since they did it.

I am still thinking over the 5th gear upgrade, handy on long road trips for better mileage in 5th. (.69 Dyna vs .84 ratio regular 5th). But, if I ever did tow with the old Taco, maybe having normal, higher RPMs in 5th would be better than the .69 ratio. If this is better for mild towing, then I'd keep with the normal 5th gearing (.84). My wife wants to get a small trailer some day. But, it will probably be better to NOT tow with this older Taco. Like I said, still thinking about this.

Once I get the rebuild, no matter who does it, I will report back. And any info from your experience is much appreciated.

 

I haven't taken it off yet. Planning on doing that this weekend. I sent yota1 an email asking for lead time on new input and counter shafts but didn't get anything. I'm going to call them first thing tomorrow morning before I pull it out.

Sounds like you're doing the right thing.

Check out Tim's new video with Nick:
https://youtu.be/sC_ZfPEINTA?si=FqKqxU5LCJh2C1oc

Nick says in the video that he should have the counter shaft for R150F 5sp 94'-04' in stock genuine Tacoma.

 

This is golden stuff
Thank you!
I really want my sh!t to sound right lol

 

Do you keep track of your mpg or miles per tank
I know once I had a rebuilt r150F from a 2002 my miles per tank dropped significantly, neatly 50 miles per tank that is not able yet to be figured out

 

I should write down my mileage. I do keep a mental note of it, but should keep records. My wife thinks the drop I've been noting is due to doing mostly city driving now since I stopped commuting. But the drop is more than that. I'm got about 275 to 280 to the last fill up, about 15.8 gallons (17.5ish) and I used to get about 20 in city driving. Thanks for the prod to record it...
Interesting about your rebuilt engine! I suspect my drop is due to internal friction in the transmission with a failing input shaft bearing. I will record my mileage before and after the rebuild and let you know what I learn.

 

I track my MPG, 17-18.5 city, 19-21 highway if I'm playing the pedal right I can get 20-23. I do have a dorkel with cyclone and before that the deck plate mod so more air, plus I cleaned my IAC valve and have new O2 sensors so it's super clean and my idle is perfect.

I'll be dropping the transmission off at Yota1 on Monday.

Gotta commend Toyota, that was really easy to get out. I understand the 4Runner of our vintage have space issues and you have to separate the exhaust.

I didn't even need to touch my exhaust, it came out like a piece of cake.

 

Awesome!! I wonder if the 2000 is different somehow from your 2001. My mechanic took my exhaust off when they did the clutch a year ago. Maybe they just did it out of habit.

I guess my mileage isn't too out of whack. I'm getting 17.5 to 18 in the city. I remember getting 19-22 if I drive right on the highway. I have a shell which may affect things. I also have new O2 sensors and new MAF and cleaned the IAC not too far back. New cats as well.

I called Joe to see if he could take my truck earlier than the 23rd. LOL, he's busy, now I know why , but I've heard they do a lot of these per week. We might still overlap depending on how long yours takes. Good luck!

We were scheduled to go away on a short trip this next week. I'm debating whether we should. I'd put about 800 miles on the truck on the trip. My wife can't hear the whining noise, but I do, and I can feel the friction, or more accurately, sense it.

Nice pictures! I wish I could tackle mine but this is our only vehicle.

 

I did have a local guy change the clutch when I didn't have time 50k miles ago... It is possible he did not put the exhaust bracket back in lol... He did have a lot of teeth missing...

On the topic of 800 mile trip, post a video of your truck in neutral idle and on cutting the clutch pedal in and out while filming under the truck or link me the video and I can gauge it.

I've been driving with this sound loud as hell for over 50k, if it just started happening I'm sure you'll be fine

 

I'll try to post a video tomorrow. Neighborhood is loud right now..but Sunday morning should be quiet.

Thanks for the info on your experience. Interesting you are kinda on the same path as me. My clutch was done about 15k ago. Joe says if the clutch isn't good, they'll pop a new one in for parts cost only, about $300. Are you putting a new one in when you reinstall?

I'm pretty cautious, if something needs fixing, I generally fix it early to avoid extra damage. We'll probably go and try to stay off totally boondock trails.

 

Was your clutch done by a trusted mechanic? What flywheel, pressure plate, disc and bearings did you go with? Most importantly, who's driving your truck and do they drive stick well?

I replaced my clutch 30-40k miles ago with an AISIN kit and a Luk flywheel. It's still got a lot of life on it, I don't think I'll be doing it this go round but I am thinking about it. If you drive well they can last for 80-150k + miles

I'd really like to just change the pilot bearing, but it looks good. I will be replacing the throw out bearing because I have one on hand.

 

This is really good to know! I've been dreading this job because I thought it would involve moving the exhaust.

 

Yes on the trusted mechanic. But I don't know what clutch he used. I think it was AISIN and no clue on the flywheel. Pilot bearing and throw-out bearing were replaced. I highly doubt Yota1 will tell me it needs replacing, but I understand they need to cover themselves.
I just recorded a video and will try to post. I haven't done that yet, so learning. My wife did the clutch pedal.

I zipped the video file but it won't upload even though it is under the 30 mb limit. I'll see if I can get it to upload a little later. It is mostly for the sounds.

I just posted a vid to YouTube. It will become available later, I think midnight tonight (6/8). Here's the link. I'll work on it if it doesn't work. I did make it public, I think it become visible when it becomes available.
https://youtu.be/pfH1nBSWe7A

 

My exhaust had to be removed / separated to get out
Do you have two cats? I just got that one

Do you have one or two cats On the 99?

 

Two Cats, I'm in CATafornia

2001 xtra cab.
It is possible the mechanic who did my clutch last didn't not put the exhaust bracket back on. Regardless, I did not have to crack the exhaust like many people talk about.

 

Nice! I just noticed you're another 400k plus miler...

 

When I split the transmission from the tcase, the tcase looked immaculate and the bearing/seal between them was not damage at all.