Stiff Gears

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

I recently purchased a 2001 Toyota Avensis 1.8vvti SR Hatchback/Liftback a month back. Loved it at first but now i seem to find different problems arising and am beginning to regret my purchase ALREADY! My partner recons i take life too seriously!!! Anyway i have noticed when changing gears from 1 to 2...2 to 3...3 to 4...4 to 5...and 5 to reverse...they seem very stiff, mainly getting third gear! I'm thinking it can't be the clutch as its not slipping...but then could it still be the clutch??? There's a very slight grinding noise but not always! I've read some where that it may be a low level of gearbox oil...or that the oil needs changing to make it smoother! Has any one got any idea? This is a long shot i know as gearboxes can be very technical but hey i've found out already....people who take part in these forums can be very very helpful! So please do let me know. Thanks guys!

[BALIKBAYAN]

Has the stiffness in the gearbox started after it became colder weather? If so, I guess it is because of the low temperatures.

[marama32]

Hi,

If it is the oil in the gearbox, get it replaced straight away. I had that problem in an Alfa 156 & the gearbox needed replacing after the bearings started to seize.

Take it to your local mechanic & he will be able to check it for you. It also would not be expensive to get it checked now.

Marv

[Mobius]

1st thing to do is to get the gearbox oil replaced ASAP. Inexpensive job and it could well solve the problem and certainly can't hurt. If you get it done at a main Toyota Centre it shouldn't cost you a lot more than a local garage to be honest and it has the added bonus that they will do a full VSR (visual safety report) on the rest of the car for you.

Is the clutch itself heavy? Is the biting point high? If the answer is yes to either of these it could be the cluthc has nearly gone. If not and you've done the oil then it potentially becomes more serious unfortunately.

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

Has the stiffness in the gearbox started after it became colder weather? If so, I guess it is because of the low temperatures.

Hi

Lets not talk about low teperatures...a nightmare...but no they have always been stiff...may be slightly worse since its colder...feel they getting stiffer by the day!

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

1st thing to do is to get the gearbox oil replaced ASAP. Inexpensive job and it could well solve the problem and certainly can't hurt. If you get it done at a main Toyota Centre it shouldn't cost you a lot more than a local garage to be honest and it has the added bonus that they will do a full VSR (visual safety report) on the rest of the car for you.

Is the clutch itself heavy? Is the biting point high? If the answer is yes to either of these it could be the cluthc has nearly gone. If not and you've done the oil then it potentially becomes more serious unfortunately.

Hi there,

Firstly Thank you for the advice. I've already had a VSR carried out by my toyota dealer a few wekks after i bought it...came back clean in all areas accept for an oil leak-dry oil by timing cover/sump/oil filter...but said this is common so long it isn't leaking! The clutch itself seems fine, and biting sort of low/middle. I will change the oil, infact i have already purchased the gearbox oil but wanted to do the job myself...but hey this weather wont permit for a while! Is it a hard job guys? Heard the gearbox go quite easily/quickly on the Avensis...i pray its not the gearbox!

[BALIKBAYAN]

Then it is as the others said change the oil as soon as possible and get the car checked by a garage.

[cmia]

does the stifness stay with engine switched off?

[JohnYossarian]

does the stifness stay with engine switched off?

Hi CMIA,

I encounter a similar problem. Stiff gear shift upon starting the car in the morning, getting better as the engine warms up. When the engine is off shifting gears is very easy.

I am trying to find out how much oil I need to put in the gear box (engine 1CD-FTV) as I would like to replace it. The car is regularly serviced by Mr. T but I have not seen anything about gearbox oil change on any invoice. Do you think it could be the oil? I had my clutch and flywheel (master cylinder too) replaced at Mr. Toyota a year ago.

Thank you in advance!

Jordan

[cmia]

I would replace the oil,

all gear boxs will be stiff,

when changing gear with cold engine..

PRESS and hold clutch and slowly change gear.

[Parva]

If the gearbox oil change doesn't improve matters then it's likely a worn clutch. Not the friction plate (else the clutch would be slipping) but the pressure plate on the clutch. When this becomes worn it gives exactly the symptoms you describe. Unfortunately there's little point only changing that item, it's better to change the whole clutch assembly as you can pretty much guarentee that if one part of the three main elements in a clutch change is worn, the other two won't be far behind and it's a false economy only to replace one of the three items (friction plate, pressure plate, thrust bearing).

[JohnYossarian]

If the gearbox oil change doesn't improve matters then it's likely a worn clutch. Not the friction plate (else the clutch would be slipping) but the pressure plate on the clutch. When this becomes worn it gives exactly the symptoms you describe. Unfortunately there's little point only changing that item, it's better to change the whole clutch assembly as you can pretty much guarentee that if one part of the three main elements in a clutch change is worn, the other two won't be far behind and it's a false economy only to replace one of the three items (friction plate, pressure plate, thrust bearing).

I replaced my clutch and flywheel in Sept 2008. It has three years warranty. I do not want to think that it is the clutch again.

I am trying to figure out how much gearbox oil I would need, 2.5 l or 1.9l. The engine is 1CD-FTV, D4D, T3-X, 03Reg Mk2.

Cheers,

Jordan

[JohnYossarian]

I would replace the oil,

all gear boxs will be stiff,

when changing gear with cold engine..

PRESS and hold clutch and slowly change gear.

I will indeed.

The problem is that I do not have the same issue with VW Passat or Golf for example.

Cheers,

Jordan

[sidny]

not tryin to be an expert but since i have the same problem goin on on my corolla was just thinking have u had ur control rod or arm to the gear stick and box checked as well....well the things i have tried so far are...

*changed gear box oil which cost me around 35 pounds

*lubricated the balljoint of the gear stick

*cleaned and oiled the gears shift linkages with wd40 which can be seen when u open ur bonnet...

but haven't checked the control rods

clutches are fine with mine as well...

let me know if u have done checking ur control arms or rod....

[Druid Boy]

Is there a difference in the resistance in the gearbox when the engine is off vs when it is running? If it is stiffer when running suspect that the clutch is failing to disengage and needs adjusting or replacing. If the resistance is similar then it could be an issue in the gearbox. On the other hand there are 2 distinct phases to changing gear; coming out of the one gear and then letting the synchromesh match the gearbox speed to the road speed as it engages the next gear. It may be you are rushing the change a little? Whatever it is, it could result in a big bill if it isn't remedied in time. A visit to your friendly mechanic may be on the cards - if only for a diagnostic check.