Manual transmission Fan Club and BS thread (All Generations Welcome)

Same here, some stiff detent to move through first, then heavy spring tension, prevents accidental shifting into reverse. At least on my 6-speed.

 

That's great!!! And absolutely true!!! LOL. Dannyblues

 

Agreed. My 2016 TRD was getting jammed in gear on hour or more long highway trips when left in any one gear especially 5 or 6. It made it difficult to downshift exiting one highway to another on the off ramp. Potentially dangerous. On this site I found TSB-0088-16 even the dealer top mechanic didn't know about. I made noise and got two big shots from Toyota corporation to come to my dealer and find out why they were having so much trouble trying to correct this problem. With the help of this site I was able even to give them the exact parts numbers needed to correct this situation.

The problem was the detent in the original shifter ball was too BIG and required different hardware to replace the old and install the new. Haven't had a problem since.

I'm pushing 12,000 miles and though I wouldn't say it shifts like butter it's smoother and less notchy than when I bought it.

Appreciate your knowledgeable post.
Dannyblues

 

Luckily, I never encountered the sticking in gear issue.. and my truck was built in 09/15. Actually, you could say I'm "doubly lucky" as my original transmission was replaced with a brand new one... and it hasn't stuck in 5/6 either. Yup, they replaced my transmission AND transfer case while trying to find the drivetrain (read: rearend) howl.
I thought it wise to bring the detent TSB with me during the transmission replacement appointment, as I didn't want a new problem. Despite my best efforts, one of the service writers still got a tad offended that I would dare question anything. LOL

Frank

 

Smart man. Did that fix take care of the howl? Or was it a differential which would be the FIRST place I'd look ?? You were smart to bring that TSB. It was a common issue.

When I discovered the TSB fix and then went to the dealer the foreman shop mechanic and dealership service manager were there. They were embarrassed and scared witless because of both of the guys toyota corporation sent. One was a real big wig. He just stood there with his corporate high blood pressure fueled red face, glaring at the dealership shop people. They also had the service attendant and two of their best mechanics there all waiting for me. I tried to be humble and understanding as I don't want bad blood where I bring my new TRD to get serviced.

They were ordered to get it done immediately plus some things I requested they do to be sure the transmission wasn't damaged.
Dannyblues

 

Unfortunately, no it didn't fix the problem. The tech swore from the first time he heard the sound that it wasn't the rear diff . Anywho, I'm not done with them just yet. I'm with you, I try to keep the peace while at the dealer.

Frank

 

My 2016 TRD shifter acts the same as yours but occasionally if not more often than I'd care to admit, my shift prefers to go into first rather than reverse or sometimes the other way around. It's worst on very cold mornings. It refuses to go into reverse at least for the first two or three tries.

This shifter and its six speed transmission which is different than anything I've previously had make me feel like a beginner. I've been driving manuals for at least 29 years consistently. Plus trucks and 18 speed semi tractor trailers. I've driven everything from three speed column mounted 51 mercs, to 58 Chevy bombs with close ratio four speed coupled if I remember with a 4:56 rear diff and 348 cu in v8 ( a big very low revving torquey truck motor basically and the fastest car ever made from 0 to 35 mph. If you didn't shift fast you'd float the valves or that high rear would actually slow you back down! It was a big heavy non aero dynamic bomb!!
So I'm gratified to hear the issues that has settled on me regarding the shifter is common with other experienced manual drivers as well.

 

Agreed. Why make an enemy of someone who is going to take your prized truck back behind a solid wall where you are not permitted to see or be behind yourself to watch the repairs.

Who knows what they might do to get even if they felt like it.

I always only talk first with the shop foreman and I've become known due to my ability to correctly but politely suggest a service issue with him in a knowledgeable way. They know I know something about auto mechanic procedures and know I can easily pick up the phone and call Toyota corporation headquarters ( I even have a valid extension number and very understanding representative there now)
So the shop people treat me with high regard and respect. On the other hand I treat them good humorly and return the same respect. I know little about modern electronics in vehicles and don't have access to their shop manual and updated TSB's. I was even offered a job as a line mechanic there!!! But at 67 I'm long done working. Dannyblues

 

Are you going ahead with them to replace the differential? With two diffs, manual transmission, transfer case and two driveshafts it's pretty complex. But not brain surgery.

I personally have spent a few hours at a time in the dealership shop service area waiting for my Tacoma to be serviced and I've come to notice that the mechanics on the line and service department in general push for volume over quality. They want to move in and out as much cash service business as they can. They don't like to get bogged down with long complex warranty jobs. I'm sure the dealership doesn't get paid at the same rate from toyota that their average customer pays for service per their posted labor rate at over $100 an hour.

I'm still quite surprised that it wasn't the differential they went to first. Years ago any howling in the drivetrain was usually the rear diff. Dannyblues

 

Yep, I'm going to bring it up again at my next service appt. I know, it's kinda shocking that Toyota would authorize two expensive/complicated repairs for this issue and not actually solve anything. Anyway, I'm letting them do their thing at the moment. So far my truck hasn't developed any new issues with all the tinkering. In fact, the new tranny has broken in a bit better than the original (less synchro chunkiness). How's that for a transition back "on topic" lol?

Frank

 

The foreman at my dealership told me that if after two attempts to correct my stuck in gear issue which may include replacement of the transmission Toyota would become obligated to buy back the truck from me. Check that out.

Do you have a case number from Toyota customer service HQ? Better have one and a corporate customer service rep with their personal extension number. They'll send the local district field rep to your dealership to help resolve your problems. Just call the Toyota customer service dept number and get started. You'll get action. Dannyblues

 

My new 17 just came in and I only had a minute to sit in it but I noticed it still has a pretty strong "R" Detent, I really do not see any accidental "R" Shifts in the future unless the Trans really loosens up over time, that said the Detent is less than either of my 2nd Gens were.

 

When I test drove the sport I had no trouble hitting 1st. Seemed like it took a good deal of umph to get it move to over to the reverse gate.

 

I'd like to see someone unfamiliar with manuals try my truck, I have a Hurst T handle, no pattern or #s just "HURST"

Imagine if we could mod to shift on the column! How many on here can drive one of those? Let alone a millenial

 

@Dannyblues I see you are from New Milford, I grew up in Bridgewater. Moved to Va a few years back but still travel up to see my folks.

 

Good one, and brought back memories of my first truck, a '53 Chevy.

 

Welcome to Toyota!

 

Danny that's not necessarily true. It's 3 attempts to fix the same issue on a vehicle, and it has to be for the same thing each time. IE Your shifter keeps sticking, ok they replace the shifter, still sticking, they replace the clutch, still sticking, they replace the transmission, STILL sticking, at this point they may offer to buy the truck back, but if not you can take them to court over lemon law (depending on state IIRC) and they are pretty much forced to buy it back at that point. But really, there's no blanket law about them having to buy the truck back after a couple things go wrong. Like I said, it has to be a documented issue that *I think* could potentially cause a full failure of the vehicle. Like your stuck shifter for example, that could strand you somewhere with it stuck in 6th. Not "my seat won't fold all the way forward" ok, replace the seat 4 times under warranty and then they'll just keep scheduling your appointment farther and farther back until you're out of warranty.

 

Me! 51 mercury three on the tree. Do you think car thieves could recognize theirs a separate starter button after you turn the ignition key on too. Dannyblues

 

We bring the grandchildren to the Bridgewater farm fair every August. I'm at the end of 109 still in New Milford near Northville not far from Washington. 109 is some thrill ride!! I ride a Harley too. It's beautiful up here but the winters are typically New England. Virginia is a nice compromise. Dannyblues