5Sp Manual Tranny Grinding

Ok fellas, I have an issue that I have never heard of. I have an 01 Taco 4cy/5sp. I noticed last week that when I down shifted ( especially if it ran the RPMs up a bunch) the transmission starts grinding like it isn't in gear at all. It doesn't do that at any other time that I have noticed. It stops if I kick it into neutral. Any ideas of what to do or how to fix it would be appreciated

 

You mean you're experiencing a grinding noise while the transmission is in gear?

 

Yes, when I downshift to slow down, there is a grinding noise like the shift has moved into the proper slot, but the gears didnt fully engage.

 

I would check your shifter seat and bushing
Maybe they're getting toasted and your gear isn't staying engaged as well as it should
It's actually a fairly common problem; and a very cheap and easy fix

http://www.instructables.com/id/Toyota-Tacoma-manual-transmission-pop-out-of-gear/

http://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/shifter-parts/heavy-duty-shift-lever-socket
http://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/shifter-parts/heavy-duty-shift-lever-ball-seats

 

Thanks, I will try that. I have changed one before, but I do not remember if it was this truck. If it was this truck, it was less than 30k mi ago.

 

What did you change?
There's a seat and a socket that will both cause you problems
I think it's more likely to be the seat
If it is, I would recommend buying that Marlin one I linked you to; I'm running one of those
If you're strapped for money, I've got an OEM one that's in very good condition that I pulled from mine
I could mail it to you - no charge

 

I replaced the seat and the nylon tip on the shifter, I am not sure which truck I changed it in though. I have had a couple of them. I appreciate the offer but I dont want you to go to that much trouble. I will just order one.

 

gotcha
no trouble: just throw it in an cushioned envelope and mail it out
either way - let us know how it works out

 

I am going to pull the shifter tonight and see what the seat looks like. I hope that is the issue and not something internal in the tranny. I could pull the tranny out, but I would never dive into one. Way too many moving parts for me to lose or put back wrong.

 

OK, Here is what I found. The shifter seat is ok. I am not sure about the nylon bushing on the end of the shifter ball seems loose to me. I don't know how loose it is supposed to be though. It did not fall off but it was pretty loose and would spin around freely. Could that be the issue?

 

While u got it open, replace both and go for a test drive.

 

Mine isn't loose at all; quite the opposite
It absolutely won't spin. If I don't have it sitting right to put the shifter back in, it takes a decent amount of force to get it to shifted to the right position. Sound like it's toasted to me, dude

 

I have no issues with 1st or reverse at all. The only issue I have is when downshifting. It has not given me any problems when starting out at all or any time it is under a load

 

update?
did the new bushing fix it?

 

I have not received the new seat and bushing yet. I guess CA is a long way from NC. I did notice today that the grinding noise is present when the clutch is depressed and not engaged. I was thinking before that I had the clutch engaged. It seems to grind only when moving from 4th to 3rd and just before I let the clutch out.

 

I think there is some play in the transmission, but it hasnt changed since I bought the truck. It has always had some "slop" but it didnt grind. I guess that I need to check the fluid since I have never checked it. I just assumed it to be ok since I was still rolling........

 

I think I will try just changing the Tranny fluid and the transfer case fluid. I read that it was supposed to be changed at least every 60k and the truck has 189k, so maybe I am due. Any suggestions as to what brand and weight? The manual says 75W90 API GL4 or GL5.

 

OK, Not sure which, but either changing the trans fluid or the shifter seat/ bushing has fixed the problem. The tranny feels a lot tighter now. Thanks for all the advice.

 

Sweet.