I was driving my girlfriend's 4 Runner yesterday for the first time and noticed the gear shift(automatic) has alot of movement forwards and backwards as I drive. It seems to react to and bouncing or change in speed. My first though is that the transmission mounting is loose. Has anyone seen this problem or is it not a problem and just normal on the 4 Runner. Can't imagine that it is.
Thanks.

Randy

 

i think its normal.... i've seen it in several automatic 3rd gens that i've been in.

 

It is normal, don't worry about it.

 

a small amount of movement is completely normal. Now if it's moving from the P light to the L light on the plate around the shifter very rapidly, then you might have a problem.

I was riding in cab about 9 mons ago in TX when me and the driver got in a discussion about 4Runners and how he would never own another one. I asked why and he said his shifter in his '01 auto was slighty moving while driving and that he believed his transmission was going to fall out! . He actually traded in his '01, that at the time was only 2yrs old, just b/c of that reason alone and got a new Dodge pickup instead. Said he would never own another Toyota again. What a noob!

 

IIRC, somebody modified their shifter to make it more 'solid'. I'll do some searching.

 

I had the bushings changed last weekend. There are 4 around the shifter and 2 underneath the car.

 

You should see how much a manual shifter moves then!
However the shifter doesn't move at all in one of the newer Landcruisers (the transfer case shifter did though)

 

my manual shifter doesn't move at all. my 2000 4runner auto shifter moves like mad too on bumps. i kind of like it cuz its a nice smooth move, not a jerk. funny to point out to friends who freak out

 

hmm I heard other think their manual shifter moves a lot, maybe it is time I check out under my truck

 

Cool, thanks to all for your replies...I won't worry about it then. It is a small amount of movement. I just have never seen that before. Thanks again.

Randy

 

yeah mine has done it since i baught it, no problems in several years.