I'm a Toyota noob and need some help and advise...94 4Runner 4x4, auto, 3.0

Long story short: Decided to change ujoints b/c of vibration at hwy speeds, took driveshaft to shop for work. While testing the driveshaft after bolting it up, the transmission started shaking very violently when I let off the gas at about 65 mph. Turns out it threw a ujoint cap, so I had it towed back to the shop and he changed the ujoint again.

Now the good part...while leaving the shop I noticed a bad vibration at only about 5 mph, so I drove back. When I got there, it wouldn't shift into any gear. After looking under the truck we noticed that the bellhousing was cracked completely in half and separated about half an inch.

The question is, could this have been caused by the ujoint cap flying off and driveshaft vibrating so badly?? I've driven the truck for 10k miles and had absolutely no transmission trouble. Also I nor any shop that has worked on it has noticed the bellhousing crack before, so I can't believe it has always been there and just happened to open up today.

What would you guys reccomend?? I assume the bellhousing just bolts onto the tranny, but it's still gonna cost a lot to have it changed I'm sure... This is why I don't like other people touching my vehicles, I've always done my own work but decided to take this one to the shop for most of the maintenance....

THANKS and sorry that was so long...

 

ouch, that sounds like a mess...

 

A sudden bad vibration, torque shock (as in 4low), or bad motor/tranny mounts could probably cause that. I learned on Extreme 4X4 (Spike TV) that you could crack a bellhousing or case by using mismatched mounts (rubber motor mounts w/a polyurethane trans mount, for instance) so it's a good idea to replace them with the same material. Man, that sucks! Pics of the damage would be interesting to see...

Didn't know that it was possible to crack a bellhousing! Best of luck to you!

 

JB Weld it!

Kidding aside, sorry to hear about that.. Check around at some bone yards, you should be able to get a used trans for a couple hundred bucks.

 

I have a complete A340H trans from a 93 4Runner I'm selling. Complete with bellhousing and torque converter. Only 135K miles on it.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f180/fs-3vze-engine-parts-a340h-trans-tcase-2000-limited-tcase-more-82282/

If you just want the bellhousing, I'd do that also.

 

His uses an A340H trans/tcase combo - all one unit.

 

Thanks guys, I'll let you know what ends up happening...it would nice if the shop would cover the repairs, but it might be hard to prove that the ujoint caused it. Cebby, I'll definitely be in touch w/ you if I need that bellhousing or the whole A340H...thanks!

 

Pictures we want pictures!

My dad was using an old 9N Ford tractor and split it in half, right where the shifter was.

 

same happend to me i had a huge crack on my bell going to the tranny case right by the pump it just dribbled fluid out but i was sick of the leak jb weld wont work there is to much vibration right there. only thing that can be dont is get a new bell or have some one tig it. but either way it will have to be removed