Possible Gearbox Bearing Failure On 1998 1.8 7A-Fe

[Konrad C]

I thinking my transmission could be on the way out, but I am puzzled!?

The noise seems erratic and worse when hot but goes away when cool. Sometimes under load it is audible, other times no noise. Once after a time the noise goes away.

I checked the transmission fluid and it is up level, and clean. I had changed the transmission fluid a few years ago.

A transmission fluid change is on the cards (very easy on this car), but I don't think it will cure the issue.

The car runs great and after helping my brother road test a car, plus seeing the condition of other cars younger than mine (various makes and models), I rather stay with my car.

I will let you know how i get on.

[Parts-King]

Gearbox bearings were a bit weak on the Avensis, and not unusual to need replacing, if it is noisy, a change of oil is not likely to help an already worn out bearing, sorry

Kingo

[Konrad C]

That is what I thought.

Will look at the options of sourcing a replacement gearbox.

The noise is not great right now.

[Parts-King]

You might "buy" the same problem Konrad, you probably have a transmission specialist near you that would replace the offending bearing for the same sort of money, just a thought

[Konrad C]

Hi Kingo,

That may be the route because the noise is intermittent and most times it is quiet.

It feels like something is loose inside the box/ differential. May be the engine mounts have too much play. The right hand drive shaft felt a little loose, but I need a second opinion.

Konrad

[t-spiritpete]

Hello mate,

is a high pitched screech or a rumbling sound? I was thinking that a high pitched noise maybe just a dry bush in the flywheel where the end of the shaft that goes through the clutch and sits in the flywheel centre.

If you go down the road of changing the gearbox I would look at buying a complete car as .... 1... you can test drive the car and gearbox, 2 ... a lot of them are cheaper than just buying an unknown condition gearbox from a breaker and 3 ... you will have loads more bits you could take off before you scrap it (unless it's better than your one and you could keep it) .

Take a look here and see what I mean, there is even one on for £550 with 12k on the clock!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l2632.R2.TR11.TRC1.A0.H2.XToyota+avensis&_nkw=toyota+avensis&_sacat=9801&_from=R40

Regards Pete.

[Konrad C]

Hi Pete.

Thanks for the post.

I saw this on eBay. I was pondering it as it is identical to mine.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/141216870546?hlpht=true&ops=true&viphx=1&_trkparms=clkid%3D5570425810438588508&_qi=RTM1651765

I have also looked at a couple of gearbox rebuilders, and one in Romford shows they have a gearbox in stock. Not checked the price yet!

http://www.reconditionedgearboxesromford.co.uk/Manufacturers/toyota/avensis1/index.html.

First going to see my mechanic to get a second opinion.

As I said before, the car is running fine and everything is in good or apart from the intermitent gearbox noise. The sound is a slight whine, not the usual whine I have heard on other cars. No rumble sound. When the sound is audible, and I dip the clutch whilst moving the sound stops. It comes back when I release the clutch. The sound is not there when I first use the car, and I can do a journey without a peep. The second trip when the car is hot is when it is more audible, then becomes quiet.

The only other thing could be the exhaust, but I checked that.

I need it to develope and become more consistant to be more definite of the cause.

When you have a great car for 10 years, that is in good condition, it is hard to let go.

Konrad

[Konrad C]

Quick update. I have seen my mechanic and he said wait until the noise is definite and consistent. Would you believe it, the car behaved it self and was silent as a mouse!

If the gearbox needs attention, he has a specialist who can fix it, plus I get a new clutch which makes sense.

He is a Toyota specialist and I always use him on jobs I cannot manage.

My mechanic said I have sensitive hearing.

[truthteller]

Make sure the problem isn't just a driveshaft,i had a problem recently with a Zafira and thought it was G/box or clutch maybe...turned out it was an easy to change driveshaft....so from scrapping the car to paying £35 to repair it...was well pleased. ....just a newbie idea....hope you fix it.

[Konrad C]

Thanks Paul.

I checked the drive shaft and it seems okay.

I have seen my mechanic who said that my gearbox can be reconditioned at a good price, and change the clutch at the same time if needed. I have done a bit of motorway miles (to help my brother pick up a car in Milton Keynes), and the noise has developed. It is prominent under load, then is quiet on lighter throttle.

Overall the car is very smooth bar the transmission noise. My car has done about 280 miles from full tank of fuel and is around the half way mark. The needle always falls quicker after that, but I have seen 420/430 miles before refill. Then can only get 11 gallons back in at most.

That is why I rather keep this car than change it. I love the big boot for my full size Dahon Cadenza bike with 26" wheels, with the seats up and parcel shelf in place. Everything mostly works and the body is in good condition.

Will update later.

Konrad

[Konrad C]

Got my transmission repaired and I personally think it worth it. The clutch was repaired too.

The mechanic told me that the differential pinion as well as the bearings had worn/failed and the gearbox man who stripped it had never seen that before with this model!

The car is now smooth and quiet. On the motorway the car is back to it's relaxed nature.

I recently went car hunting with my brother (for a small car) and some of the cars which were half the age, had faults and dents, and still asking an average of £3000! The car sales people make Arthur Daley look a saint. In the end my brother got a 54 plate Micra privately, which had 12000 genuine miles. It still had a few faults but is better and cheaper than the secondhand dealers.

Me, I rather stick with what I know for a couple more years.