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2003 Tacoma 3.4l Manual Trans Grinding 4th

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by nledwards, Jan 3, 2014.

  1. Jan 3, 2014 at 5:24 AM
    #1
    nledwards

    nledwards [OP] New Member

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    I've been looking all over, and there seems to be conflicting information about what I'm dealing with.

    I recently changed the Trans, Transfer, and Diff oil. Everything was perfect for about a week, but now the trans is grinding as I go into 4th after coming back to colder weather after Christmas. It only grinds in 4th, which just seems really weird to me. There was no grinding in any gear prior to changing the fluids. Has anyone dealt with this before, or have any advice on what to look for? Cheers.
     
  2. Jan 3, 2014 at 6:15 AM
    #2
    lipster

    lipster Well-Known Member

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    Here's hoping you don't have worn sychro's. If you do, a rebuild in in your future.
    Did you put in the kind of oil that Toyota specifies?
     
  3. Jan 3, 2014 at 7:19 AM
    #3
    jspansel

    jspansel Just duct tape it

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    What did you use in the tranny?
     
  4. Jan 3, 2014 at 8:21 AM
    #4
    Lumpskie

    Lumpskie Independent Thinker

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    Like the others asked... what fluid are you using? I'd drain that stuff out and put some Redline MT90 in it. My trans was choppy when I bought the truck, threw in MT90 and it has been awesome ever since.


    Also, when you shift to 4th, take your time getting into the gate and blip your throttle a little bit to match the RPM. That will save your trans as the MT 90 works its way around and lubes the trans.
     
  5. Jan 3, 2014 at 8:45 AM
    #5
    jspansel

    jspansel Just duct tape it

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    5100s front at 2.5" with Moog replacement springs, 5100s in rear with 2" Wheeler's AAL
    I use MT-90 as well and absolutely love it.
     
  6. Jan 3, 2014 at 11:09 AM
    #6
    nledwards

    nledwards [OP] New Member

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    It's got Mobil 1 75w90. I noticed that if I let the engine idol way down when shifting into 4th, there's no grinding, but if it's wound up even a little bit, the grinding happens again. I'm hoping to change the fluid again this weekend to see if things work their way out.
     
  7. Jan 3, 2014 at 11:28 AM
    #7
    lipster

    lipster Well-Known Member

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    License plate frame
    How many miles?
    Original owner?
    Some 2nd Gen 6 speed MT's had trouble with 3rd and 4th gear sychros. Not sure about 1st gens.
    If you or previous owner jammed it into fourth gear, synchros could be worn. You can nurse them along with careful shifting.
    In the old days, there were no sychros, and people lived with it.
     

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