Transmission Replacement

[ccool91]

To answer your last question a transmission isn't quite the same as an engine as far as break in. You should be fine.
The most important thing is to flush the cooler/coolers thoroughly.
What transmission did you go with and how much was it?


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Factory new replacement. $2700 and some change. It does feel like I'm driving a different car. It is under warentee now so I will enjoy it to the fullest. First day back we hit some trails.. why I was concerned about a "break in" period even though I had never heard of such things for a transmission.

 

[07V8]

What size tires are those? Are you running spacers too?

Glad to see you're back on the road.

 

[leftyguns21]

the do I or don't I dilemma. I am the original owner of my 08' with 135k miles and I have never changed the trans fluid cause of all of the mixed responses I have seen. 'lifetime' 'sealed'. am I considered high mileage now and its not worth the risk?
(sorry OP not trying to hijack your thread)

 

[Dpassmore]

Factory new replacement. $2700 and some change. It does feel like I'm driving a different car. It is under warentee now so I will enjoy it to the fullest. First day back we hit some trails.. why I was concerned about a "break in" period even though I had never heard of such things for a transmission.

Sweet. That was installed price?
What is the parts/labor split and what is the warranty?


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[ccool91]

What size tires are those? Are you running spacers too?

Glad to see you're back on the road.

Thank you! They are 275/70/17s and unfortunelty yes I am running spacers.

 

[iBison]

the do I or don't I dilemma. I am the original owner of my 08' with 135k miles and I have never changed the trans fluid cause of all of the mixed responses I have seen. 'lifetime' 'sealed'. am I considered high mileage now and its not worth the risk?
(sorry OP not trying to hijack your thread)

I understand that if you have higher mileage trans that hasn't been service to change the fluid without flushing it. Others may know more.

 

[bdp1978]

I understand that if you have higher mileage trans that hasn't been service to change the fluid without flushing it. Others may know more.

I just did my trans fluid on Monday. I bought the 4runner a few months ago and have gone through the whole thing.

'04 V6 with 137k. It had a weird vibe coming from the trans when cold and seemed to hang shifts on me. The fluid was nasty on the dipstick and I confirmed it once I drained it....nearly black.

I picked up 15 quarts of the Valvoline Max Life Synthetic. Instead of using a cooler line I just went with the pan drain. Drain, Fill with about 2.5 quarts, Start Truck, Shift through gears, shutoff and repeat.

I went through all 15 quarts doing this method until it was draining bright red.

The vibe is now gone and it is shifting nice and smooth.

 

[ben550]

the do I or don't I dilemma. I am the original owner of my 08' with 135k miles and I have never changed the trans fluid cause of all of the mixed responses I have seen. 'lifetime' 'sealed'. am I considered high mileage now and its not worth the risk?
(sorry OP not trying to hijack your thread)

If it were my truck, I would change it.

I have done a full flush/exchange on an 04 with 136k miles (never been changed before) and an 06 with 160k miles (had been serviced with unknown fluid). Both worked fine with no issues. I feel much better knowing what fluid is in there and that it is new.

 

[natevans65]

I recently switch over to MaxLife at 220k on my V8. I am the original owner and did the first change at 100k (WS), then 163k (with WS) and now at 225k. I am of the belief that keeping all the fluids fresh and changed on my rig will certainly keep me going to my quest of 300k+. I keep a very accurate maintenance log so as not to forget so that I can reference and see what needs servicing next. Plus it keeps me off the couch!

 

[shahsmerdis]

Hi All. New Member here with a possible transmission issue.

Back Story:

I purchased a used 2006 V6 Limited 4Runner in late summer of this year (2016) with 116K on the odometer (purchased in Ohio, my first 4Runner). It came with the original maintenance manual (the complete owner’s packet along with window sticker was also present) with fairly thorough history especially around the 111K mark. Plus, records of oil changes at the dealership of original purchase (Texas) nearly throughout the life of the vehicle. There was, however, nothing mentioned in the manual nor online about any transmission fluid or front/rear differential fluid being changed. Upon testing driving, transmission shifted smoothly, engine sounded and performed as it should (i.e. no weird noises, hums, banging, rumbling, etc.) The test drive was 95% highway. Dealer located very close to major highway, so not much stop and go traffic. In retrospect, I should have taken it through more stop and go.

Noticed after driving for a few weeks there was a "shutter" when coasting to a stop between first and second gears. More noticeable when slowing to a stop then taking off from one. However, my wife noticed nothing. She's driven it many times with absolutely no notice to what I was referring to. Made me even question whether or not I was feeling something until I had a friend drive it. He noticed it too. Very subtle shutter, but there. So, it was confirmed. I kept driving. Since purchasing, I've had oil changes done, cabin filter replaced, powering steering fluid flushed and replaced, and axle shafts replaced. I had the 120K maintenance performed just last week. That's when the cabin filter was replaced and another oil change done. My mechanic thoroughly looked over everything else that was mentioned in the manual, but felt no action needed to be taken because everything looked "really good". Upon dropping it off, I mention the shutter. So, he took it for a few test drives to see if he could feel it. He didn't. Since the transmission is sealed and he didn't have the tools, he couldn't change the fluid. I then took it to a friend of mine who runs his own car performance shop. He took it for a few test drives while recording engine/transmission data. He didn't feel the shutter either. What he felt and what the data confirmed is between 40-42 mph the torque converter is switching on/off on/off on/off rapidly. He told me that shouldn't happen. From his experience working on Hondas (specifically Odysseys), that's a good sign that the torque convert (and possibly the transmission) will need to be replaced. But, mentioned that it's not serious enough for any dash lights to come on and it could take many, many more miles to trigger it. He suggested that I take it to a Toyota dealership to have the transmission fluid drained and filled, making note of the condition of the fluid. Lastly mentioning that doing that should either make the problem go away or make it considerably worse.

I took it to a dealer two days ago. Along with the transmission fluid, I had them drain and fill the front/rear differential and transfer case fluids. My theory of the tranny fluid never being replaced was confirmed when the tech told me the condition of the fluid was brownish in color, but not burnt. Driving it for the last two days, I don't feel the shutter I did before. But, I do feel (or at least I think I do) something like a shutter around the 40-42 mph mark. Unfortunately, I'm not given the chance to maintain that speed long enough for me to really get a good feel of what might be happening. It could all be in my head now. Could be road conditions maybe coupled with outside temperatures (very, very cold outside)...or all in my head!

My question to all of you is how worried should I be and is it worth taking any action now. My thought is to take it back to my friend to see it the data still shows the problem (maybe worse now). If it's worse, think about having the torque converter replaced. If I'm going to do that, does it make sense to have the transmission replaced also? My friend worried me by saying that if the torque converter needs replacing you should also replace the tranny (expensive!!). But, he's basing that on his Odyssey experiences that bad torque converter also meant bad trannies. Maybe the trannies in 4Runners are much more durable not requiring both to be replaced? Remember, the fluid wasn't burnt, just pretty brown. Plus, the transmission shifts smooth after replacing fluids. I'd say a little smoother than before, but hard to really discern due to the super cold temperatures we're now having.
Or, I could just keep driving until the problem gets to a point were replacing both is my only option. Thoughts??

I just read the earlier posts stating that for higher mileage transmission you shouldn’t replace the fluid if you think it’s never been replaced. I hope I didn't exacerbate the problem. Right now, I’m not prepared to spend that kind of cash. Besides, the replacement of the torque converter, transmission and labor cost associated could be half as much as I paid for the vehicle!

I'd make sure the level was set correctly first. but that sounds really hard to trouble shoot without being in the car.

 

[bob3dsf]

Hi All. New Member here with a possible transmission issue.

Back Story:

I purchased a used 2006 V6 Limited 4Runner in late summer of this year (2016) with 116K on the odometer (purchased in Ohio, my first 4Runner). It came with the original maintenance manual (the complete owner’s packet along with window sticker was also present) with fairly thorough history especially around the 111K mark. Plus, records of oil changes at the dealership of original purchase (Texas) nearly throughout the life of the vehicle. There was, however, nothing mentioned in the manual nor online about any transmission fluid or front/rear differential fluid being changed. Upon testing driving, transmission shifted smoothly, engine sounded and performed as it should (i.e. no weird noises, hums, banging, rumbling, etc.) The test drive was 95% highway. Dealer located very close to major highway, so not much stop and go traffic. In retrospect, I should have taken it through more stop and go.

Noticed after driving for a few weeks there was a "shutter" when coasting to a stop between first and second gears. More noticeable when slowing to a stop then taking off from one. However, my wife noticed nothing. She's driven it many times with absolutely no notice to what I was referring to. Made me even question whether or not I was feeling something until I had a friend drive it. He noticed it too. Very subtle shutter, but there. So, it was confirmed. I kept driving. Since purchasing, I've had oil changes done, cabin filter replaced, powering steering fluid flushed and replaced, and axle shafts replaced. I had the 120K maintenance performed just last week. That's when the cabin filter was replaced and another oil change done. My mechanic thoroughly looked over everything else that was mentioned in the manual, but felt no action needed to be taken because everything looked "really good". Upon dropping it off, I mention the shutter. So, he took it for a few test drives to see if he could feel it. He didn't. Since the transmission is sealed and he didn't have the tools, he couldn't change the fluid. I then took it to a friend of mine who runs his own car performance shop. He took it for a few test drives while recording engine/transmission data. He didn't feel the shutter either. What he felt and what the data confirmed is between 40-42 mph the torque converter is switching on/off on/off on/off rapidly. He told me that shouldn't happen. From his experience working on Hondas (specifically Odysseys), that's a good sign that the torque convert (and possibly the transmission) will need to be replaced. But, mentioned that it's not serious enough for any dash lights to come on and it could take many, many more miles to trigger it. He suggested that I take it to a Toyota dealership to have the transmission fluid drained and filled, making note of the condition of the fluid. Lastly mentioning that doing that should either make the problem go away or make it considerably worse.

I took it to a dealer two days ago. Along with the transmission fluid, I had them drain and fill the front/rear differential and transfer case fluids. My theory of the tranny fluid never being replaced was confirmed when the tech told me the condition of the fluid was brownish in color, but not burnt. Driving it for the last two days, I don't feel the shutter I did before. But, I do feel (or at least I think I do) something like a shutter around the 40-42 mph mark. Unfortunately, I'm not given the chance to maintain that speed long enough for me to really get a good feel of what might be happening. It could all be in my head now. Could be road conditions maybe coupled with outside temperatures (very, very cold outside)...or all in my head!

My question to all of you is how worried should I be and is it worth taking any action now. My thought is to take it back to my friend to see it the data still shows the problem (maybe worse now). If it's worse, think about having the torque converter replaced. If I'm going to do that, does it make sense to have the transmission replaced also? My friend worried me by saying that if the torque converter needs replacing you should also replace the tranny (expensive!!). But, he's basing that on his Odyssey experiences that bad torque converter also meant bad trannies. Maybe the trannies in 4Runners are much more durable not requiring both to be replaced? Remember, the fluid wasn't burnt, just pretty brown. Plus, the transmission shifts smooth after replacing fluids. I'd say a little smoother than before, but hard to really discern due to the super cold temperatures we're now having.
Or, I could just keep driving until the problem gets to a point were replacing both is my only option. Thoughts??

I just read the earlier posts stating that for higher mileage transmission you shouldn’t replace the fluid if you think it’s never been replaced. I hope I didn't exacerbate the problem. Right now, I’m not prepared to spend that kind of cash. Besides, the replacement of the torque converter, transmission and labor cost associated could be half as much as I paid for the vehicle!

At around 120k, your tranny fluid change was not that far beyond the 100k "decent rule of thumb" change interval. There have been changes to the change recommendations during the 4th gen model life (adding the 60k inspection recommendation for towing, etc.). You said the fluid was brown but not burnt. That's a good sign. I did my 1st drain/fill at ~105k and it was a brownish color. I wound up doing 3 drain/fill cycles to end up with fairly new looking fluid. I did drop the pan to look at the magnets and look for any signs of impending doom (but no driving issues before hand). I only had the teeny tiny "dust slurry," the normal looking stuff. Did my second service at 150k and I did the full change using the cooler line method. When I drained it, the old fluid looked very red.

I agree with the other post, you should verify the fluid level is correct. It's easy to get the level wrong if you don't know the shifter/jumper procedure. The shudder could be a lot of things. Is the speed is happens at, at a shift point? I don't think you're anywhere near needing to look at a tranny replacement. I'd take more time to diagnose better.