Forums have changed around alot since I've been here last, hope this isnt in the wrong section.

I had my Runner parked for a year while I was in Australia (97 SR5 4wd 3.4), its been couple months since I've been back and had it running and I'm getting an odd transmission problem.

Especially when the truck is first started up in the morning or when it is very cold outside, when i shift from park to reverse there is a short delay then a semi loud click or thump as the transmission "forces" itself into reverse. Occasionally I have had to lightly tap the gas in order to get the truck to shift into reverse.

Shifting into any other gear does not re-produce the effect, and often times the truck shifts smoothly as it should. No problems once it is running i.e driving on the freeway.

Ive racked up 125k on it, and had a major transmission service around 110.

any ideas on how I can troubleshoot this...or techincal knowledge I should bring with me should I decide to take it to a transmission shop?

 

What I'd do:

-Check the fluid level, replenish or drain as necessary to achieve the correct level.

-Next, have the tranny flushed and the ATF replaced with a quality product, like Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. I'd not bother to do only the "drain and refill" service, as this only replaces c. 20% of the ATF in the system. BTW, I changed to Mobil 1 ATF at ~30K miles in my '98 'Runner and had excellent performance (including towing 4,000 # for thousands of miles in hot weather) until I sold the truck at 75K miles.

In my experience, shocking things happen to cars that sit undriven for long periods!

Best regards and good luck!

 

Its usually not the tranny. Have you greased the drive lines latley? Especially the double cardan joint on the main drive line sounds like its sticking.

 

I've seen similar transmission behavior when the fluid level is too low. But after being parked so long, a flush probably isn't a bad idea.

 

def not. i checked the levels already they are fine. and considering i had the tranny drained before it was parked i dont think another flush is going to solve this problem.

is greasing the drive lines something i can easily do myself? any write ups on it in the tech section?

 

Yes its very simple get a grease gun and grease all the zerk fittings on the drive lines. You will find a diagram of all the zerks in your owners manuel or my 91 also has it on the sunvisor as well. You are suppossed to grease the driveline at specific intervals check your owners manuel. My brother has a 97 as well had same problem greased drive lines and its fine. your tranny is actaully shifting fine its the double cardan joint in the middle of your main drive line popping beacause it has no grease its has several joints in one assembley it has 2-4 zerks so make sure you get them all just a slight pump in each one you will hear air escapping from joint as you grease then you stop piece of cake. make sure you wipe away dirt from zerk fisrt then grease.

 

So the tranny sat dry for a year or so?

 

by drained I mean drained and filled