yaqui

First Post here,
Great site.

I need a new shift plate on my 94 3.0 standard tranny. First gear is near impossible to find. I just got it back from the stealership so the could to the stearing recall, and had them look at it, and it is even worse now. They want $20.00 for the part and $190.00 for labor.
Any of you guys ever replaced this? How difficult was it?

I have changed a few timing belts in my day. Any harder than that?

Also they tell me the idler arm needs to be changed out also. I don't have the shop books yet so I know this might be simple, but you never know.
Thanks in advance
p

SpeedyJ

I had a loose idler arm on my '86 4Runner and almost bought a new one to replace it until I found a website that told me how to replace the bushings inside of it. It's really easy and only took about two hours.

Heres the link I used http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/idler/

The new bushings were about $20 like your toyota dealership is asking. An actual new idler arm is more like $60-90 so it dosn't sound like they are actually getting you a new one, I suspect they are replacing the bushings and $190 in labor seems really steep.

^VooDoo^

I just replaced my Idler, less then 30min job when you know what to do, 2 hrs at most for semi-newbie, Just look at it from all directions (1 balljoint and 3 really tight bolts) and dive in, No jack needed.
Picked it up at Autozone for something like $65 lifetime warrenty.

3.0 timing belt is easy, Just time consuming, Water pump should be replace at same time need it or not.
Ive done some frontwheeldrive timingbelts, Those designer should be shot.

Shifter Bushing I hear is and easy do it yourself job, Im sure somone who has really done it will agree.

yaqui

thanks for the info.

yaqui

I have the yota at a shop right now. They are going to give it the ol' 120,000mile check up. And fix the shift plate. They showed me a plug and oh man, it was a plug, in that it once was ceramic and had created some spark at one point in its life. The gaps were worse than Letterman's smile. I have had this rig for a few months and am just now able to get to taking care of this stuff. What really hurts is being too busy to do this stuff myself. It is nice to be busy, but I feel like I am cheating on my wife by having someone else do this. The good thing is that the mechanic drives a 4runner. Thanks for letting me vent.

yaqui

Got it all done and it now has some pick-up and shifts great.