Transmission service?
- Thread starter Bucket81
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jgue467
Senior Member
Not sure how to tell
if its been neglected (other than failure of some sort) or kept up with, So I'd at least do a self drain/fill. If you want to go a level further, have it flushed, filter cleaned or changed and refilled, many here say to stick with toyo atf, I'd say at least use fresh name brand dextron 3. I hear from lots of mechanics and others not to change it, some manuals (other mgrs.) don't even mention to ever change it. Mine was probably neglected to about 175k, I changed the filter and fluid, now it has 237k and shifts nice and firm. Its a tough trans on the 4wd, so treat it nice with new fluid, I mean who ever heard of tranny failure after change the fluid?! It it happened to someone here, it was a Coincidence. Your real choice is synth or dino. I did dino just to save some bucks...
Now separate note, has your rig had the potential milkshake issue address? any body ever crack-opened up OEM rad, if not, here we go! - YotaTech Forums
if its been neglected (other than failure of some sort) or kept up with, So I'd at least do a self drain/fill. If you want to go a level further, have it flushed, filter cleaned or changed and refilled, many here say to stick with toyo atf, I'd say at least use fresh name brand dextron 3. I hear from lots of mechanics and others not to change it, some manuals (other mgrs.) don't even mention to ever change it. Mine was probably neglected to about 175k, I changed the filter and fluid, now it has 237k and shifts nice and firm. Its a tough trans on the 4wd, so treat it nice with new fluid, I mean who ever heard of tranny failure after change the fluid?! It it happened to someone here, it was a Coincidence. Your real choice is synth or dino. I did dino just to save some bucks...
Now separate note, has your rig had the potential milkshake issue address? any body ever crack-opened up OEM rad, if not, here we go! - YotaTech Forums
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Bucket81
New member
The reason I ask was because I ran a junk yard and would get countless fords and Chevys with blown trannys, with people *****ing that they had just done a service. doesn't seam Like the 4runner has that issue. I need to so some other things first so I can put this off for a bit and come back to it.
Thanks
Thanks
Monkeybutt2000
New member
I would do a simple drain and re-fill.
Ford auto transmissions, FWD models in particular, have been pretty bad in the past. It got to the point I could change/repair those in record time, just from doing so many. From what I hear from former colleagues about current models, they still aren't all that great.
GM transmissions were a bit better. Their big problem was poor power steering racks on FWD models, and poorly designed intake manifold gaskets. People still erroneously blame the coolant, (Dexcool) but the real problem was the pathetic design of the gaskets.
As for the failed transmissions; The invariable reason why they had just done a service prior to failure, is that they noticed shifting issues, and thought they had better service it. The transmission was already on it's last legs when they serviced it.
It would have failed either way.
An Aisin transmission at 120k in a Toyota that has never been serviced, but is experiencing no shifting issues?, I would pull the dipstick and check what the fluid looks like. If it's just slightly reddish/brown, I'd change the fluid in it with no qualms.
If it's dark brown to black, and smells burned, the transmission isn't going to live much longer anyway. In which case I'd plan for a replacement.
