6 speed clutch/transmission issues............

[flyology Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flyology]

Did a trip to Darwin from Cairns October/November last year and noticed it was intermittently getting difficult to change gears. Had the vehicle serviced a few weeks back (30K) and let the service agent know, they adjusted the pedal free play (so mech said anyway) and it was good for a while but is now back to how it was.

symptoms are: After driving without having to change gears/use the clutch it gets difficult to shift/gear lever gets stiff (as if the clutch is not disengaging fully) but if the pedal is pumped a few times it seems to improve. To me it appears that there is a leak in the hydraulic system somewhere, however when pulling up at lights there is no issue with the vehicle trying to creep forward and the pedal can been released a fair distance from the floor before the clutch starts to engage.

I am hoping this is only an adjustment issue/hydraulic and not a clutch issue, vehicle has done just over 30K and was purchased new in December 2010........

I did a search and found a few threads relating to clutch failure/wearing out, but none with symptoms similar to this.

anyone experiencing similar problems????????

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

the pedal can been released a fair distance from the floor before the clutch starts to engage.

This generally indicates a worn clutch plate.

To check its not an issue with the gearbox selector take it up to 80k in 4th on a flat road, maintain that speed, ease off throttle slightly and the gearstick should slide out of 4th very easily without using the clutch. Should also slide back in if you keep the revs close to what they were.

[flyology Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flyology]

There does not appear to be any issue with the clutch engaging or pressure on the clutch, (there has been no slipping) when I said the pedal comes up a reasonable distance before it engages I should have said the normal distance.

I am thinking possibly bubbles of air (or water contamination) in the hydraulic fluid.................

[NewyD4D Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close NewyD4D]

I had this exact same issue, my car is 12/2010 build. I had 3 dealers look at it along with services etc and it was not discovered until the 40,000km service that the gearbox oil was way overfull and allowing oil in around the shift rods causing hydraulic lock in the shift mechanism.
Oil level corrected and no further issues. I was fuming that it had been through all services where the oil level is meant to be checked and obviously wasn't. Anyway I have not had any further issues since this was corrected. I also asked that they note this in the vehicles history in case of any future seal failures etc due to the level being overfull for so long.
Hope that helps

[flyology Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flyology]

A few months back I got under and took the fill plug out of the gearbox and a few hundred ml of oil drained out. For quite a while the difficult shifting issue was gone and I thought the problem was solved, but it has gradually come back to the point where it is as bad as it was before. I have notice that is seems more prevelant when driving in high gears at a constant cruise speed, which is damn annoying and bloody dangerous when trying to change down gears when slowing down.

I will get under and see if maybe a bit more oil needs to come out, maybe there is an issue with the grade/type of oil Toyota use in the transmission from new....???

[flyology Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flyology]

Well I have had the 40K service done a few weeks back where the oil in the gearbox is changed. If anything the shift is a little notchier, possibly a lighter oil used that what was originally in from factory. the stiff shifter situation is still there, thought is is not as often as it was before. So yesterday I got around to putting 125ml of nulon manual transmission/differential additive in. I have only done just over 50klms, though I must say there has been a significant improvement. shifting is lots smoother (still a slight notchyness if that is a word) so I may add 100ml of moreys oil conditioner. The stiff shifter situation has not happened, and I have tried to replicate conditions it seems to happen under, that is cruising in top gear from 80 - 100kph then slowing down. Hopefully I have resolved this problem, as it was starting to get damn annoying. Will keep you all informed........................

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

I am having the same issues with mine.Just clocked up 79000kms after driving 9000kms on our holiday. I have problems changing down and up through gears but not all the time. It started after my svc. Will have to check the fluid level.

What oil should be used in the gear box?

[flyology Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flyology]

I'm not sure what grade of oil should be used, but I am certain after the service the oil was thinner/runnier than before. (althought cleaner so obviously changed) I do recall manual 80 series landcruisers had/have an issue with what grade and even brand of oil is used in them, if the wrong one is used it can give the impression the box is stuffed, change it to the recommended (not by Toyota but by landcruiser enthusiasts) and it's like a new one. Maybe this is something that needs to be researched further.....

this is what I put in my transmission, just bought it from supercheap and I think it has fixed the stiff shifter issue.....

[flyology Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flyology]

Just did a bit of googling and Castrol VMX-M is the oil recommended for 80 series transmissions. I might try that (if I am still not happy with how it is now, as I will have wasted a tube of Nulon) and see how that goes. Will try the Moreys oil stabiliser first though...

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Castrol syntrax is more than suitable for most gearboxes, it will protect it from wear and a super smooth shift.
Only downside is the price, but I have used it in other vehicles works really well, only reason I use multitrax in the Prado is $$$ i can't dump expendsive oil every 20-40k.
But if i didnt do offroad, I put syntrax in fir 100,000klms very smooth shift was my experience...

[flyology Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flyology]

Ok, well the stiff shift issue has come back, but is no where near as prevalent as what it was. I think I have narrowed it down to being in sixth gear and slowing down, then it happens in other gears. Really pi55ing me off when it does do it........

Might try a different oil and see if that helps. Anyone know where the breather for the manual gearbox is located? I wonder if that is getting blocked or intermittently shut off some how..............

[butane8 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close butane8]

if your talking about the feel of the gearbox, clutch/ 120 6 spd

my 120 6 spd was sent back to toyota back in its new days about this complaint, toyota found no issue.. as recorded in sevice book

the 6 spd box as i have got used to it ...120 k same clutch,, feels like a its not there to a new driver...

but its a feather style feel, with no give or bleed out like you think.. ( stock )

the clutch is there but set up for a car feel... i where boiler boots buddy and its about feeling the grab point over a inch

of travel .. if you have a 150 /120 i bet its the same box... i run castrol/ oil and its all about getting the feel of the box per gear to what revs its likes ... it you grind it you haven't got the time to learn how to drive it... 5th dont like to be rushed at revs over 2.4k

its a gear that says buddy i'm a high ratio.. piss off and buy a sports car at the ton mark ( 100 k ) but you can slam 6 th at any rev and the clutch slip at speed is not to mention

reverse... is a high ratio where any form of rev' your rig out of ya drive with kids around is stressful , because if ya cant feather the drive going backwards the speed is running pace if not quicker with no throttle...

i have tuned my V6 so that it will ( dont normally do this.. ) reverse, clutch out ... brake application. on roll out my drive at 450
rpm in high range... but the technique i normally use is the feather the drive with the clutch to obtain a walking speed over a rev/ 10mm grab point on the pedal....

I'm not sure of whether you issues are a factory one.. but if you drive the 6 spd box.. it is a whole can of worms itself...
i like to drive my rig.. the manual box is the ducks gutz... unless you have warrenty issues ,, trade it in for a auto

after proof reading , you didnt mention its characteristics in low range... totally new can of worms... all auto drivers never get this feel off its "in that gear and lock in" ... for down hill stuff... "or pick a gear to the top and let her rip".... so

my advice to you is give us some more info or see your dealer'''

cheers butane

[flyology Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flyology]

Rather than type it all out again, here is my initial post:

"Did a trip to Darwin from Cairns October/November last year and noticed it was intermittently getting difficult to change gears. Had the vehicle serviced a few weeks back (30K) and let the service agent know, they adjusted the pedal free play (so mech said anyway) and it was good for a while but is now back to how it was.

symptoms are: After driving without having to change gears/use the clutch it gets difficult to shift/gear lever gets stiff (as if the clutch is not disengaging fully) but if the pedal is pumped a few times it seems to improve. To me it appears that there is a leak in the hydraulic system somewhere, however when pulling up at lights there is no issue with the vehicle trying to creep forward and the pedal can been released a fair distance from the floor before the clutch starts to engage.

I am hoping this is only an adjustment issue/hydraulic and not a clutch issue, vehicle has done just over 30K and was purchased new in December 2010........

I did a search and found a few threads relating to clutch failure/wearing out, but none with symptoms similar to this.

anyone experiencing similar problems????????"



This problem is very intermittent, and as anyone that has had an intermittent fault with something knows it is bloody frustrating as it wont do it when the dealer is checking it out, but usually does it just after you leave and drive away......

I have it down to a gear selection issue, something to do with either the shifter of the syncros, though it would think if it were syncros it would happen all the time. Possibly a gear selector rod with a pin not fitted correctly and its rotating ??

[flyology Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flyology]

OK, stiff gear shifting is back. I am now starting to think it happens when there is significant load on the engine, which has me thinking the clutch maybe the issue. I towed my boat to get some work done to it last Monday morning, has the stiff shifting issue, picked it up on Friday, and had it again. I really am starting to think buying a Prado idea.

Anyone had an aftermarket clutch fittend to the 150 series????

[Fletcher120 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fletcher120]

G'day Flyology , Mate i know that hydraulic feeling , mine does it too . Is it the mastercylinder ? Is it the slave cylinder ? I dont know but i've bled the system a thousand times . What does work for me though is to undo the 2 inspection plates on the side of the gear box and give the throw- out bearing and shaft a bit of a squirt of WD40 , being carefull not to get any onto the clutch plate of course . Nice smooth easy pedal and change for the next 6 months . Works for me anyway . Kind regards