Hey guys,
I noticed the other day on the highway that my tranny makes a loud humming noise when I'm in 5th gear. I don't hear it in any other gear. I brought it into a tranny shop and the guy told me it would be $2500 to fix (he said my tranny, driveline, and transfer case were "bad") I said no way, so he "kindly" lowered it to $2250. I still refused and took my truck and left.

Now from research around this site, I'm guessing I'd be way in over my head to try and fix this myself if I have to tear into the transmission, or could it just be a bearing? Would I just be best off looking for a used W56 w/transfer?

I'm not bad at wrenching, I've done my share of work around my engine, but I've never had to problem solve my transmission or even attempted transmission rebuilding.

 

Can you be a little more specific and tell us what transmission you have? If it's a 5 speed I would say a synchro is making the noise. If that's the case then it's not the whole driveline. Eventually you'll have to do a rebuild/replacement on your transmission.

 

oh yeah sorry, it is a 5spd, and as far as I know its the factory transmission W56, cant remember if its A or B

 

funny, my R154 does that too.

 

when was the last time you changed the gear oil in it? I'd try draining it and check the condition of the oil. Take a look at the drain plug too. It's magnetic so if it looks like this you've got a big problem

 

Thanks, I'll check that when I get home.

 

I just rebuilt the W56 in my 4Runner. Overall, it was not too bad, just time consuming getting the individual gears off. I used a HF press and pullers to do all the work. After getting the whole thing apart, everything inside looked great... I replaced all the bearings and synchros anyway. After I got her back together I went for a drive and it still made the same noise... Ended up being the slip joint in my driveshaft was about half way out (due to lift) and caused the noise.

 

http://www.marlincrawler.com/transmi...built-complete can provide a rebuilt W56 for around $1000, give or take a bone or two, and you do the R&R.

 

http://highgeartransmission.com/

If you need a transmission give these guys a call. I bought one from them about a month or so ago and it's awesome! They only do standards....no automatics. Mine was an even $1000 including shipping the new one to me and the old one back to them. Comes with a good warranty too. Ask for a guy named Cody.

 

Thanks guys, I did look at Marlins website first, I'm gonna keep my eye open for a used one near me for now. Meanwhile I just picked up a rusty '92 4Runner to be my dd until I get this fixed.

 

Input bearing. The weak point of Toyota trans.

 

I paid 400 to have mine rebuilt and it's good as new.

 

I don't know where you are, but good luck finding a good used one. The W56 is a popular transmission that everybody seems to want. I couldn't even find one on craigslist or ebay. I did manage to track one down that was about 3 hours away but the guy wanted $600 and wasn't even sure of the condition.

 

x2 on getting it rebuilt. i just had mine all gone through for about $900 and its great now. But i don't think i would ever buy a used transmission off craigslist, i would be way too scared of it not working then id be out hundreds of dollars and have to waste all the time putting it in and taking it back out. way too chancy for me. so yeah, get it rebuilt or buy one of marlins. Just my .02

 

I'd try a new shop.... I have a hard time believing that a humming noise in 5th gear only means you need new driveshafts, t-case, tranny... and whatever else he is trying to sell you. Sounds like his shop has slowed down a bit and he's making up ground on your truck.

 

Is your truck lifted? The driveshaft noise usually happens in 5th gear when you let off the throttle, as in coming off the interstate. Mine was so loud I couldn't hear the radio anymore.