Avoid the 6spd manual trans!

I have had a throw out bearing noise since day one on my 07 and it has yet to be resolved. 4 times it has been to the dealer and now its in thier face and they don't no what to do and they're just throwing parts at it to make it dissapear. If you have one of these I would buy the extended warranty before your factory one runs out. Worst part is I'm not the only one. Its very commn and will have no problem finding posts about it. Same goes for thr FJ Cruiser. Mine has recieved a new clutch pack and later another throw bearing (2nd one) nevermnd all the "adjustments" and the first time I complained about it having a chatter they told me it was normal. So if you hear any diffence in noise when the pedal is out thet you will most likely get this someday. Us 6 spd owners are such a small group that I don't see a resolution for us. They know the problem exists but will they spend the money to fix it? If the new models were any different they would of had a TSB by now saying to R&R with the newer model. I think I'm going to have to clam the Lemon Law unless someone thinks we could claim a class action lawsuit. Also I have had 2 oil leaks, the shift knobs stitching came loose and the shift booth is starting to go too. The TSB for the cold start up noise has been done along with the rear springs and the compass/temp guage went bad. The rear of the truck makes a noise over bumps and I don't tow or abuse this thing in any way. Strictly a pavement princess.

 

The thing is... the throwout bearing noise thus far, to the best of my knowledge.. is purely 'anesthetic.' I don't think any have actually FAILED thus far. My G35 had throwout bearing noise for the 30,000 mi I owned it, never had an issue. It's annoying cause I like my stuff running 100% and I agree Toyota should fix it... but it's not a deal stopper in my book.

 

Sorry you have had so many problems however I think you will find quite a few trucks here that are driven off road harder than most with minimal problems.

 

no problem with mines. maybe you just got a bad one.

 

i just bought an 09 Trd when i was on leave from iraq and havnt had that much time to really drive but im hoping that i dont have the same problem. I also believe the Mech. at toyota dont really know what there doin 4 days after buying my tacoma the AC stop blowing on high then when i shut my door it kicked back on obviously a short some where so i take to the dealership and they just started throwing new parts in 3 hours later they found out a ground wire wasnt plugged in all the way but i guess i cant really say anything i got a new blower for my AC out of it

 

mines been fine thus far and im pretty rough on my truck... maybe you need to abuse yours a little

 

Ditto- Lots of highway miles, and lots of offroad/water crossing/mud miles and I haven't had any issues with the trans or the truck as a whole.

I'm interested to see that some folks have A TON of issues with their rigs...and some (like me) have none.

 

I've had my 6-spd for over a year now with no problems and

 

5 yrs on my 6spd, no issues. I wouldn't necessarily say avoid it.

That said, sorry to hear so many problems. My last Ranger was living at dealer for problem they couldnt fix (4wd system). Its frustrating. Looks like you've tried several fixes, maybe lemon law route or dealer willing to work out a deal on a different truck?

 

i would say get you a spec clutch stage 3+...they come with new throw out bearings and they are a lot better clutches too...

Non Stop Tuning sells them for an awesome price...that's what I'll be getting once my clutch goes out...

click here for link -> http://www.nonstoptuning.com/SPEC/pSpecClutch.html

 

Really, so you like your car squealing so loud you can hear it 70ft away? This is not a noise like a lifte tick or injector tick this is like a freaking wheel bearing. This is not something that gives it character and its not the bearing itself. It has something with the way that they cast the housing. Something is not right. A sdtage three clutch isn't going to fix it.
The oil leaks could be from the mechs tearing into the tranny so much, but the tranny is an issue and they can't figure mine out like so many others then those of us that have this issue are screwed. I'm hoping that its the bell housing. One guy had his replaced but I think the noise came back again.
In the beggining the noise was very little and I thought it was just a quirk, but its never gone away and about 2 oil changes later its back in full force. Its sounds like a squealing belt at times and it comes and it goes. It was really great in the beginning when it would squeal all the way to work but then drive it to the dealer and its quiet.
Mine didn't start making noise till maybe 10K or 15K. And I would be leary of buying a used one cuase they can hide the problem with a new bearing and then slap it on the lot and 10K miles after you buy it the problem is yours. I could trade mine in, Its still under fact warranty, loose a litttle and get a new truck. I just don't think thats fair. I loose money and time invested for thier mistake. Then my POS in on the streets for someone else to deal with.

 

the X-Runners have the same transmission and the same crappy clutch...a lot of members from XR-U.com have upgraded their clutches to Spec Racing Clutches...by upgrading the clutch it came with a better throw out bearing...those same members who have now upgraded no longer hear the throw out bearing noise...

trust me its the shitty design in the stock clutch...i've scene this problem 1st hand and have heard it on many '05-'08 Tacoma trucks...

you can buy that clutch and have toyota install it...instead of asking or having toyota install the crappy stock clutch...

 

Thanks I'll look into that. Its possible it could be the bearing, but I'm on my second and on the FJ forums they said its the bell housing and I need to look at that again. The deal called the toyota rep and I'm waiting on that phone call. Not holding my breath. Maybe I can get them to purchase the clutch. Kinda glad I bought the extended warranty. I ususally don't believe in those things.
I my mind I was thinking bell housing or the fork. Its teh only thing that hasn't changed. Also cause of the fact that its alwas had a little noise even with a new bearing so I feel something is seating right. Push on the clutch just a little and the noise oes away. Like if I just played with the pedal stop it would go away but then it would probably be riding the clutch.
Sorry to jump ya over the clutch thing, I kinda got that "import tuner" feeling in my head when you said stage 3. I used to have an WRX STi and worked at a impor tuner shop and I hate that import tuner fast and furious mentality.

 

as far as the import tuner feel...don't worry about it bro...I understand...

but I agree with you...there has always been a slight sound coming from the transmission...i only suggested it was the throw out bearing cause there have been similar complaints on XR-U.com...honestly I blame it on the shitty design from toyota...

any chance it sounds like this?


If the noise is coming from the bell housing and goes away when slight pedal pressure is applied to the bearing that is throw out bearing making noise. It could present as a squeal noise as well.

The noise in this video is coming from deep inside the transmission. It is something inside the transmission. It is a transmission problem. it has nothing to do with the clutch assembly.

 

I can't watch it from here but the description is on the money.

 

you get what you pay for with spec clutches. They are junk IMO. I have put 2 spec clutches in my buddy's B13 ('91 Nissan Sentra SE-R with an sr20det swap) and about to put a third because they fall apart.


In regards to the throwout bearing issue. It's just kinda annoying, I wouldn't say that its a faulty transmission by any means. Has anyone actually had one break on them and prevent them from driving the truck? Mine squeaks on my 07 occassionally. I have never heard of one failing on anyone. I put 90k miles on my last Honda accord and the throwout bearing squeaked the whole time.

 

When it comes apart, it will float around and screw some stuff up. That squeal is metal on metal. Eventually its gonna wear through.
I wish mine would break and just F up the whole tranny. I would love nothing more. My squeal is really loud at times and most of teh time I can hear it in the cab with the windows up and driving and teh stereo on. So its not a little thing.

 

Mine is working like a champ as well.

 

I can understand what "could" happen if it broke. Has anyone actually had one fail? I doubt it would mess up the tranny if it failed since the bell housing is seperate. Might mess up the pressure plate and flywheel a little.

 

definitely sounds like the throw out bearing...

i know a couple of guys from XR-U.com that are running the spec clutches with no problems at all...in no way am I saying that your buddy can't drive...but maybe he's not allowing the proper break in time/miles needed for the clutch to work properly...I don't know...

as far as wondering if any of the clutches have completely failed and broke...there have been a bunch of these cases on XR-U.com. clutches have literally shattered inside the bell housing...those lucky few were able to get toyota to cover the clutch and transmission...other not so lucky...