New transmission at 13k miles!!!

[Trmx2]

Haven't posted in a while but I wanted to let some people know of a problem I was having that I've heard others have had.

For the past 5k miles or so, I noticed a very audible "CRUNCHING" noise from my transmission when shifting from 3rd-4th under heavy load (above 5.5k RPM)

For reference I do not AutoX, Track, Drag, or race the car. I drive about 85% highway mileage (I commute to work) and on the weekends I drive "spirited" but most would call my driving rather conservative. I've also owned only manual transmission since I started driving back in 1999 and have never had a single clutch or transmission problem.

Anyhow, I took the car to Andres Barriga from Kab Customs, he had recently installed my Greddy Evo3 exhaust and when I asked him about the transmission he took it for a spin and said it sounded like 3rd-4th syncrho was going bad. He told me to take it to the dealership.

I took it the next weekend to Toyota, and they confirmed that the synchros were bad. They said it happens from "missing shifts" but I don't buy that excuse. I've owned several MT cars and have "missed shifts" from time to time and have driven those cars to over 160k miles on the stock transmission and clutch. If our transmission is that delicate then this car is not meant for anything other than looks...lol

Toyota didn't give me any issues about the replacement and within a week I had a brand new transmission under warranty.

This is just to notify people that if you are having any type of "grinding, crunching" or difficulty when changing gears under load or hear any type of audible noises, please don't hesitate to take the car to the dealer. If the car is under warranty and have you have not abused the car, they should honor your replacement transmission.

Hope this helps!

[thehapaone]

don't tell me this...just hit 12k miles and I'm having this same sound why is this car so fragile

[Trmx2]

Originally Posted by thehapaone

don't tell me this...just hit 12k miles and I'm having this same sound why is this car so fragile

I know I feel the same way, I love the car but feel that their R+D was not thought out enough and they skimped a bit on some parts to limit cost. A few people I know have had this problem, it's slightly different to the problem people were having with 1st-2nd gear being difficult and clunky. This noise is a rather loud "crunch" reminds me of when your knees and joints crack and crunch.

The only mod I have that is relatively transmission related is the Perrin Shifter Bushing. The dealership did NOT complain about that part and said it had nothing to do with the transmission issue. So that may be music to some peoples ears who have that concern.

As for the transmission, I live in South Florida and went to Weston Toyota and have had bad luck with them until I filed a complaint. Since filing the complaint they have fixed every issue I've had including the speaker rattle from the doors when you listen to anything with any Bass in it.

Good luck! My advice is to take it in! If they cover it under warranty then you get a brand new transmission!!!

[thehapaone]

Originally Posted by Trmx2

I know I feel the same way, I love the car but feel that their R+D was not thought out enough and they skimped a bit on some parts to limit cost. A few people I know have had this problem, it's slightly different to the problem people were having with 1st-2nd gear being difficult and clunky. This noise is a rather loud "crunch" reminds me of when your knees and joints crack and crunch.

The only mod I have that is relatively transmission related is the Perrin Shifter Bushing. The dealership did NOT complain about that part and said it had nothing to do with the transmission issue. So that may be music to some peoples ears who have that concern.

As for the transmission, I live in South Florida and went to Weston Toyota and have had bad luck with them until I filed a complaint. Since filing the complaint they have fixed every issue I've had including the speaker rattle from the doors when you listen to anything with any Bass in it.

Good luck! My advice is to take it in! If they cover it under warranty then you get a brand new transmission!!!

I'll give it a shot once I get some other things figured out and it's definitely the crunch...sounds almost like a quick pulse on a blender guess I'll just put my back seats back in cause they may get suspicious if that's all pulled but it's mostly just for looks don't do too much crazy stuff with my car

[Trmx2]

Originally Posted by thehapaone

I'll give it a shot once I get some other things figured out and it's definitely the crunch...sounds almost like a quick pulse on a blender guess I'll just put my back seats back in cause they may get suspicious if that's all pulled but it's mostly just for looks don't do too much crazy stuff with my car

Yes, that is the exact noise I am referring to. That sounds exactly like it. I would really get it checked out because if it's your synchro's then each time it makes that noise it's shearing metal off into your tranny and eventually you'll be locked out of that gear. The sooner the better, plus....brand new transmission!

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Trmx2

Haven't posted in a while but I wanted to let some people know of a problem I was having that I've heard others have had.

Go Home Todd, you are drunk!

[fz6r]

My car does this now. It's barely at 3k miles. Guess I'll be taking a trip to the dealer to have it looked at

[unlimited86]

For the people that got a new transmission, did the problem still surface or its resolved? I'm thinking about taking mine in on the next oil change, should I put my clutch height at stock position or it's fine leaving it?

[continuecrushing]

Originally Posted by unlimited86

For the people that got a new transmission, did the problem still surface or its resolved? I'm thinking about taking mine in on the next oil change, should I put my clutch height at stock position or it's fine leaving it?

clutch height, like where the pedal is? Just leave it.


Unless its so low that it isn't disengaging the transmission or something.

[Pcharliep04]

can you post paper from toyota as far as receipt describing the details ??

[NissanGuy]

Originally Posted by Trmx2

As for the transmission, I live in South Florida and went to Weston Toyota and have had bad luck with them until I filed a complaint. Since filing the complaint they have fixed every issue I've had including the speaker rattle from the doors when you listen to anything with any Bass in it.

Forgive me for OT, but: That door rattle kills me. Do you remember what they did?

[Roarke]

Looks like I have same problems on my car too... 6k rpm, shift 3->4 gear

Its really funny, I had this on my 2001 Impreza after 180k km, brz around 7k km..

[Luis_GT]

Ive had 5th gear crunching since 4k miles... at 13k now, still crunches from time to time... but hasn't gotten worse... even with a few track days... im gonna keep it like is until it fully breaks... DDing it i have no issues.


Mine is inaudible... you can feel it when going into 5th though

[WNDSRFR]

Originally Posted by unlimited86

For the people that got a new transmission, did the problem still surface or its resolved? I'm thinking about taking mine in on the next oil change, should I put my clutch height at stock position or it's fine leaving it?

I got a new transmission because of a fifth gear grind.(Syncro)
I've had the new one for a few months now and no problems at all. It is much smoother through all the gears than the first one. It doesn't even clunk going into first.