Transmission squeak when in neutral, or when rolling slowly, or when letting clutch o

[Pyral]

My 4runner has this squeaking when I am in neutral (50/50 if it does it) or rolling very slowly, or letting out the clutch (almost always). The squeak goes away when I rev the engine.

It doesn’t match pilot bearings exactly but I don’t know what else it could be. It’s been getting more noticeable for almost a year, and I had been good with changing fluids and greasing my drive shafts every oil change or so.

My transmission is W59 on 4 cylinder 4wd with 230k miles, transmission hasn’t had anything done besides fluids.

Here is the video, you might have to turn the sound up. It's much more noticeable in person.

 

[brillo_76]

Ok so you are in neutral with the clutch out? So your squeaking has to either be the main shaft bearings as the clutch is engaged everything is locked against the flywheel. ( clutch and pressure plate locked together. How old is the pressure plate /clutch? The throw out bearing isn't engaged. So that is out. along with the pilot bearing. Ruling those out.

 

[Pyral]

Ok so you are in neutral with the clutch out? So your squeaking has to either be the main shaft bearings as the clutch is engaged everything is locked against the flywheel. ( clutch and pressure plate locked together. How old is the pressure plate /clutch? The throw out bearing isn't engaged. So that is out. along with the pilot bearing. Ruling those out.

The transmission hasn't been opened up since it was put together 28 years and 230k miles ago.

The video was in neutral with clutch completely out, but it can make the noise as I'm letting the clutch out too. We can also rule drive shafts and transfer case out since the car is stationary.

I'll try getting video from under the car when I drive it next probably on Wednesday. And I'll change the transmission fluid since it's coming due and could hold useful information.

 

[brillo_76]

The transmission hasn't been opened up since it was put together 28 years and 230k miles ago.

The video was in neutral with clutch completely out, but it can make the noise as I'm letting the clutch out too. We can also rule drive shafts and transfer case out since the car is stationary.

I'll try getting video from under the car when I drive it next probably on Wednesday. And I'll change the transmission fluid since it's coming due and could hold useful information.

Hmm... Throwout bearing and pilot only active when clutch pedal depressed. So I am hoping its not the main shaft bearings. I would doubt that. If it never had a new clutch its probably due. Maybe its the clutch components chirping a bit.

 

[phattyduck]

Hmm... Throwout bearing and pilot only active when clutch pedal depressed. So I am hoping its not the main shaft bearings. I would doubt that. If it never had a new clutch its probably due. Maybe its the clutch components chirping a bit.

Oh, yeah. I had been thinking pilot bearing was most likely - but you are right that it is only 'in play' while the clutch pedal is depressed, whether in gear or not.

Maybe the clutch disk springs are squeaking? That seems like a stretch though.

-Charli

 

[brillo_76]

Oh, yeah. I had been thinking pilot bearing was most likely - but you are right that it is only 'in play' while the clutch pedal is depressed, whether in gear or not.

Maybe the clutch disk springs are squeaking? That seems like a stretch though.

-Charli

that or pressure plate is extremely warn and making noise... Is all i can come up with too. :-(

 

[Pyral]

Ever since I said I’d get a video the problem has been intermittent. I tried this morning, I got a sound alright but it’s a new one, and I don’t think it’s the transmission.

Sounds like rod knock to me, which makes no sense considering the miles and maintenance I do. You can hear the clatter halfway through the 2nd video.

https://imgur.com/a/1G84jvf
Two videos because it's too long to upload as one. I intend to try again later today when I retrieve groceries from my work's fridge (I've been without power for days, should be up later today).

 

[Pyral]

I got the money shot. The AC is off, in 2wd, fully warmed up, and in neutral. The clutch is out the whole time. Squeaked like mad, and it would go away if I revved the engine, totally unaffected if I put the clutch in or out if I was in neutral.

The clutch grabs fine and I have no problem with engagement or slipping.

https://imgur.com/a/z2Ua8OD

 

[brillo_76]

I cant see your video all the site does is put a pop up in my face to allow ads. :-(

 

[Pyral]

I cant see your video all the site does is put a pop up in my face to allow ads. :-(

IMG_9772.MOV - Google Drive

 

[phattyduck]

Are the RZ engines known for crank walk? Funny things can happen if the crank has to much thrust movement...

-Charlie

 

[Pyral]

Are the RZ engines known for crank walk? Funny things can happen if the crank has to much thrust movement...

-Charlie

No, the only 2 common problems this engine is known to have is burnt valve from failure to adjust valves and balance shaft issues.

 

[brillo_76]

Is the sound the loudest in the bell housing?

 

[Pyral]

Is the sound the loudest in the bell housing?

I'm not sure, it's the front half for sure, but it isn't obvious if the noise originates from the middle section or the bell housing at the front. I can tell you it's definitely not the rear half of the transmission.

Also if it is a main input shaft bearing or a pilot bearing how long does the transmission have before I cause irreversible damage?

 

[brillo_76]

I'm not sure, it's the front half for sure, but it isn't obvious if the noise originates from the middle section or the bell housing at the front. I can tell you it's definitely not the rear half of the transmission.

Also if it is a main input shaft bearing or a pilot bearing how long does the transmission have before I cause irreversible damage?

How does your gear grease look? I wound try to use a mechanic stethoscope and narrow down exactly where that sound is coming from.

 

[Pyral]

How does your gear grease look? I wound try to use a mechanic stethoscope and narrow down exactly where that sound is coming from.

I tried going in with a bore scope, both from the front cover and by the slave cylinder. But I never got a direct view of the bearing.

While trying to push the camera around the side of the bellhousing the camera and cord would get covered in jet black grease. Very messy. This can only be from the release bearing.

For lack of better possible explanation I'm going to assume its the release bearing failing in an unusual way. It's in that area, there is a bunch of dirty grease near it, and it has miles and decades on it.