Gen 7 Celica clutch and gear problems

[ZR 00 18]

hey guys,

i bought a 2000 model ZR, only 52000k's on it, so im pleased with that..

all in all, its a mad car, EXCEPT for the clutch and gears

i find that when im in 1st at redline, i cant change into second and i crunch heaps.. also sometimes the gear stick seems to need forcing to get it into gear.. sometimes 2nd to 3rd crunches too (minor, but still noticable)

i read the corolla forums and it seems that the corolla sportivo's have the same problems..

anyone else seem to have problems? and is there any fix? i.e different gearbox oil, adjust the clutch maybe?

also, is it just my car or does the celicas take foreva to warm up? i.e a good 5 minutes of driving..

and and one more thing:P when the cars cold and u turn it on, does it struggle abit to idle? but once there, idle's fine....

thanks guys. hope someone can point me in the right direction to fix these issues!!!

[tangcla]

I'm not expert on the ZZT engine, but on my GT-Four (3S-GTE) gear crunching usually means it's the gears crunching. A good gearbox oil will somewhat help alleviate this problem. Also check that the clutch is fully disengaged.

5mins of warming up is normal - my turbo engine takes that long to warm up, even with my alloy radiator (i.e. radiator fan hardly ever turns on)!

My car struggles to idle as well; that's because the piggyback ECU is waaaaaaaay out of tune :D so I can't really help you with that last point.

Hope that helps. I'm going to sleep now.

Edited June 1, 2006 by tangcla

[vyets]

hey nice car! :P

i got the same problem, and chances are its the syncros

and its EXPENSIVE to fix guna cost ya aprox $1000 or maybe even more.

nah we have a diffrent problem to the corollas, we can get into gear fine, just atm our syncros are rooted thats why its stuffing up our gear changes. toyota wanted $2000 to fix it

[tinkz]

nice sig vyets

i use to have the same problem to when changing from 1st to 2nd from what i read before i think 00-02 have small shifting gates thats why from 03 up they made the shifting gates to reduce ppl from crunching the gears...i swear i hate the noise when i crunch gears ouch!

[ZEEROLLA]

Hi guys! I believe the Sportivos have that problem as well since we have basically the same gearbox. So what is Toyota actually gonna fix for $1000 and $2000 Vyets? are they replacing ALL synchros or just 2nd/3rd? and what abt bearings etc.? if its everything then thats worth it, you will almost have a fresh rebuilt gearbox. i personally would have all synchros changed while at it because you don't want other synchros to stuff up down the line. You should always try the cheapest method in rectifying these gearbxo issues first, ie. gearbox oil change, clutch inspection etc and if all else fails and its getting worse then look into the gearbox rebuilt.

[ZR 00 18]

hey ZEEROLLA, i noticed that you're from the ILLAWARRA, so i was wondering if u can recommend any mechanics? and any idea if wollongong toyota are any good?

iv noticed that changing gears at mid-high revs from 1 to 2 makes the gear stick 'flick' out of 1st into neutral, and i then have to force it into 2nd.. its becoming really annoying and def cant be good for the gearbox/clutch..

[sx90]

Hi guys,

Ive got a 1990 Toyota Celica SX and ever since Ive had it, its made a loud crunching sound everytime i put it into second gear....no other gear has this problem.

Judging by the replies, this problem is widespread in alot of Toyotas, and not just limited to the older Celica model that i have.

But can anyone please tell me what the exact problem is, where I can get it fixed (in Sydney), and how much its gonna cost? I would really appreciate that ;-)

I have been told two different things as being the cause of the crunching sounds when putting it into 2nd gear:

1) Gear synchronisation...something about bearings?

2) Gear box oil...im almost 100% certain that im using the one recommended in the cars vehicle manual.

Any further info/insight would be great.

Cheers,

~~ SX90 ~~

[tangcla]

sx90: Due to the age of your car, I'm 90% certain ti's your syncros. Look into getting your gearbox reconditioned, or try your luck with a secondhand box.

[ZEEROLLA]

hey ZEEROLLA, i noticed that you're from the ILLAWARRA, so i was wondering if u can recommend any mechanics? and any idea if wollongong toyota are any good?

iv noticed that changing gears at mid-high revs from 1 to 2 makes the gear stick 'flick' out of 1st into neutral, and i then have to force it into 2nd.. its becoming really annoying and def cant be good for the gearbox/clutch..

Hi ZR 00 18, yeh i live at Shellharbour. I am not sure what problem you have but if its not crunching guess its not a big problem yet, if its popping out of gear then yes but using a bit more wrist to get into 2nd seems to be a "characteristic", Toyota will probably say its just a "notchy gearbox". <_<

There is a place other than Toyota where you can have your gearbox or the 2zzge engine looked at. Its Southern Motor Works and his name is Jason. He drives a Lorus Exige with the 2zzge and races in the Lotus Trophy and tracks his Exige regularly. He has "a few" 2zzges lying around in different specs the last time i went to his workshop so he knows his stuff. I suppose he knows the gearbox rather well too since its the same gearbox in the Lotus, just different ratios and shifter. I personally haven't had my car fixed there but you could always get him to diagnose and get a quote. Also get Wollonong or Tory to diagnose and quote, then compare. Hope that helps.

[vyets]

they told me that chances are my syncos is damaged (obviously) they said its beter to re-build the whole gearbox just incase, but they have to check if anything else is damaged. i highly doub it, my clutch isnt slipping or anything but. the dude from toyota said "honestly go to a mechanic that specialises in geabox's and get a re-build there, here we will do it with all toyota parts and its going to cost u well over $2000" and he gave me a card to go to chasers they said might cost me about 500 - $1000+ caus they duno whats the damage so far.

but atm, i just double clutch when i down gear to help baby my syncros, next week or so im guna service my car, and also change transmission oil, redline :D and ill update about how it goes, but atm just double clutch!

[ZEEROLLA]

Vyets - where's Chasers?? I might have to pay them a visit in the near future :P i reckon $1-2grand is worth paying to rebuilt the gearbox.

ZR 00 18 - just realised you said you crunch 2nd heaps and 3rd sometimes :P yes this happens in Corolla Sportivos too bcus we have the same gearbox. Make sure you give your gearbox a good quality full synthetic transmission oil which can cost between $75 (eg. Castrol Syntrax) - $110 (Redline MT90) for 3litres, the gearbox requires 2.3litres of 75W90 GL4 or GL5 oil. Sometimes it can be a clutch problem that causes the gearbox crunching but if its only happening to 1 or 2 gears then most probably its a synchro problem. btw its good idea to stick a new clutch in while you are at it, if you a track warrior then i guess an LSD wold be waiting in line too. ;)

My problem with the Sportivo is that since i purchased it almost 3 years ago i have been having troubles with the gearbox, crunching 2nd occassionally and also have a "sticky" gearshift that refuses to shift out of gear until you wait for half a second or so. Toyota refused to do anything so i had to fork out over $1000 for a new clutch and flywheel combo and it solved the "sticky shifter" problem but 2nd gear still crunches when i try to shift very fast to land LIFT 1-2. I tried all sorts of methods of shifting and it is definitely NOT my driving, as i have driven 3 other manual cars previously and have no isssues such as this. I have no doubt its some problem with the gearbox from production, in 1999 journalists have commented that some Celicas they tested have gearbox issues and its easy to "beat the synchros" which mean when you shift too quick you will crunch as the synchros are not up to the task of matching the speed of the next gear. Hence by slowing your shifts down a tad its all fine. One journalist even tested a Celica with only 5000kms and said it felt like it has been thrashed as the gearbox just wouldn't shift. Now these are all evidence the gearbox has some issues from factory but its Toyota we are talking about hence the cars still kept selling, and the problems still exists. ;)

Edited June 4, 2006 by ZEEROLLA

[vyets]

lol chasers is in melbourne dude.

check out www.chasers.com.au

-[ez]- got his syncros replaced and clutch flywheel installed all $2000, he said he dosent remember but it was something like that. he did it at chasers.

[ZEEROLLA]

Update with Redline MT90 transmission oil. It doesn't feel very different when you drive the car normally, i can still feel the "notch" or metal feeling when shifting into 3rd sometimes at normal revs, but at high revs it feels better. 1-2 feels better, i tried a fast shift and it didn't crunch although i didn't make 1-2LIFT. I couldn't make mysef slam it into 2nd. But at the moment it feels better. As for bang for buck i don't know, $110 for the oil isn't really cheap but i guess if you are rebuilding your gearbox or have a brand new gearbox i would have this oil put in from the start ;)

vyets - :P thanks..

[barryogen]

also, is it just my car or does the celicas take foreva to warm up? i.e a good 5 minutes of driving..

and and one more thing:P when the cars cold and u turn it on, does it struggle abit to idle? but once there, idle's fine....

no idea on the GB, but it sounds like the others have given plenty of options for that.

the 5 mins to get to warm is normal.

The struggle to idle might be something as simple as a slightly dirty MAF sensor, especially if you have changed the filter to a K&N oiled filter, or a pod sucking air from your engine bay.

[2ZZ-GE Sportivo]

hey guys,

i bought a 2000 model ZR, only 52000k's on it, so im pleased with that..

all in all, its a mad car, EXCEPT for the clutch and gears

i find that when im in 1st at redline, i cant change into second and i crunch heaps.. also sometimes the gear stick seems to need forcing to get it into gear.. sometimes 2nd to 3rd crunches too (minor, but still noticable)

i read the corolla forums and it seems that the corolla sportivo's have the same problems..

anyone else seem to have problems? and is there any fix? i.e different gearbox oil, adjust the clutch maybe?

also, is it just my car or does the celicas take foreva to warm up? i.e a good 5 minutes of driving..

and and one more thing:P when the cars cold and u turn it on, does it struggle abit to idle? but once there, idle's fine....

thanks guys. hope someone can point me in the right direction to fix these issues!!!

I own a 7th gen, and had a sportivo before that. I had problems with my car back in 03 with gear crunching and hard shifts into 2nd & 3rd. I got the clutch replaced and it was perfect. My car at the time had only 24,000kms on it. So I'd consider a new clutch from personal experience. (I to also thought the box needed attention, but i was wrong)

[ZR 00 18]

I own a 7th gen, and had a sportivo before that. I had problems with my car back in 03 with gear crunching and hard shifts into 2nd & 3rd. I got the clutch replaced and it was perfect. My car at the time had only 24,000kms on it. So I'd consider a new clutch from personal experience. (I to also thought the box needed attention, but i was wrong)

how much am i looking at for a new clutch?

also, what are peoples opinions on front strut bars? i was looking at them on ebay, and they're cheap. except, u dont know much about them, but it states that i can take corners at higher speeds, so thats gotta be good:P

[tangcla]

also, what are peoples opinions on front strut bars? i was looking at them on ebay, and they're cheap. except, u dont know much about them, but it states that i can take corners at higher speeds, so thats gotta be good:P

Don't get a cheapo strut brace off eBay. They'll do next to nothing for stopping chassis flex - they definitely do help, moreso than getting lowered springs.

[2ZZ-GE Sportivo]

I own a 7th gen, and had a sportivo before that. I had problems with my car back in 03 with gear crunching and hard shifts into 2nd & 3rd. I got the clutch replaced and it was perfect. My car at the time had only 24,000kms on it. So I'd consider a new clutch from personal experience. (I to also thought the box needed attention, but i was wrong)

how much am i looking at for a new clutch?

also, what are peoples opinions on front strut bars? i was looking at them on ebay, and they're cheap. except, u dont know much about them, but it states that i can take corners at higher speeds, so thats gotta be good:P

Mine was replaced under warranty (After many trips to toyota). Your looking at around $450 fora original clutch from memory, and about the same to fit it. But that was 3 years ago. Ring toyota and ask.

[ZEEROLLA]

I own a 7th gen, and had a sportivo before that. I had problems with my car back in 03 with gear crunching and hard shifts into 2nd & 3rd. I got the clutch replaced and it was perfect. My car at the time had only 24,000kms on it. So I'd consider a new clutch from personal experience. (I to also thought the box needed attention, but i was wrong)

how much am i looking at for a new clutch?

also, what are peoples opinions on front strut bars? i was looking at them on ebay, and they're cheap. except, u dont know much about them, but it states that i can take corners at higher speeds, so thats gotta be good:P

Mine was replaced under warranty (After many trips to toyota). Your looking at around $450 fora original clutch from memory, and about the same to fit it. But that was 3 years ago. Ring toyota and ask.

TYK7334HD for Exedy Heavy Duty Clutch kit (pay between $300-$400)

TYK7334SC for Exedy Sports Ceramic kit (pay a bit more than the HD kit)

Toyota wanted to charge me $600-$700 for labour (keep dreaming Toyota), get it done elsewhere for $300-$400.

:)