My tercel has an issue and I don't know what to do

[Blacknkrome]

Hi, I have never posted on here but have read a lot of info about tinkering with my car. My car (RUDY) is an 86 SR5 with about 170K miles on it. Runs great-gets about 32 mpg in the summer and like 28is in the winter. Anyway in the last week it started making noise when I let out the clutch pedal, it felt as if it was grabbing and wanting to surge forward when I released the clutch even in neutral-like when warming up the car in the mornings or after work. Well the other day I released the clutch pedal and I heard something almost like a pop. The noise was much louder and I could hear something clanking around like a small piece of something came loose or broke off. I shut him down and left it till I could get an appointment at the shop. Drove it the 2/3 of mile to the shop and shut it off (still runs good-but something clanking around). The shop called to say it was the throw out bearing and they would replace clutch assembly while they had it out. Called back and said that it is not throw out bearing but they think something in the actual transmission. I don't think that they open up anything-just by noise. I have been researching the site for info. I guess I need advice to what to do next. I have a 3rd vehicle that I can use as a DD-however 12 mpgs-sucks. Should I try to drop tranny and look into what is the matter then go from there. I love Rudy more than any car I have ever had, but I can't put $2500 into it at the local transmission shop with no guarantee that they will even be able to find parts and/or fix it. Please help. I have a separate small garage/shop that I can clean out and work in so that I don't have my wife's garage taken for however long. I want to save Rudy but not sure what I should do. Please help.

[Gottolovem]

Welcome Blacknkrome
Has the shop already taken out the tranny?
How can they tell you it's the throwout berring then change there diagnosis Without pulling out the tranny?
When you drove it to the shop did is shift smooth in all gears?

It sounds to me like sompthing to do with the clutch throwout berring is possible
If the shop can't give you a straight answer don't give them your money they might take you for a long expensive ride.(verry frustrating)
The tranny will need to be removed In any case if you have some mechanical skills and don't mind laying on your back for a while it's not to tough of a job. Getting the tranny back in the car is a two man job and you will need to be patient It's tricky and easy to get frustrated due to the weight.
I would suggest Getting a second oppinion(another shop)at the verry least.
The current shop sounds fishy to me 2500 is to much!

Good luck and keep us posted

[Blacknkrome]

I don't think they pulled anything. They charged me $30. I think he was going on when the sound is made and when the sound stops. The shop doesn't do anything with transmission internals. He said he could try to find a used one, or I should take it to the transmission shop. He was estimating the transmission shop average, the shop has a good reputation of being honest and trying to save you money (friends use this shop) However, they may not want to get into the project knowing that the profit margin could quickly disappear because they don't know what they are getting into. I don't know. I have a friend that owns a shop that I always take anything that I can't fix to, however he is a good 90 minutes or so away and I was afraid of doing more damage driving it that far. I have some mechanical ability, I just don't want to get in over my head or make the car less valuable to anyone that may want to buy it if I end up selling it to recoup some of the money I have in it. I really don't want to get rid of the car, but I don't want to mess up the only 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd wagon that I have ever seen in person. Going to go out and clean up the shop so I can bring it inside in order to mess with it. I guess...

[Blacknkrome]

Sorry, I believe it shifted smooth. I only drove about 1/3 mile and it was down hill and the car was cold. Almost just coasted down the road to the shop.

[Mark]

I'm not very familiar with the manual transmissions (mine's an auto), but I'd suggest doing what I did when my auto trans failed. First I tried a few shops and they all quoted me thousands of dollars like they did with you. I ended up removing the trans myself and opening it up to see what the failed component was. I did the rounds of the internet and local shops to try and find a replacement part, but had no luck. I then went around to the local transmission shops and asked if they had any old "core" transmissions I could buy. One shop had a 2wd trans (the 2wd and 4wd transmissions share most of the same components). I bought it for $75, removed the part I needed and installed it on my wagon. I found a transmission gasket/seal kit for my trans on E-bay so I replaced them as well. I'm not sure where you are located, but most transmission shops here have shelves of old core transmissions and 2nd gen tercels are common. I'm just suggesting this since it seems like you have a hard part that's failed and is rattling around? Most of the members here are more familiar with the standard transmissions so they may be able to better diagnose your problem.

[Gottolovem]

THE ONLY 4WD WAGON YOU HAVE EVER SEEN!
Where are you located that there are so few of these cars
I think the shop does not want the job if it is the clutch it's a one day job and a little over 100 in parts!
If it needs a replacement tranny maby a 1000 max for a used one(some parts are no longer available for rebuild) and a day's labor 2500 is to high! If i could make 1500 plus in labor per day i would change careers right now.
Dependind on where you are located i have an extra low mile tranny i'll sell for far less than 1000 dollars.

[Blacknkrome]

I live in Troy, MO. I drive 36 miles each way to work and always keep an eye out for another. I believe one of the members on here is from STL. However, I have never seen another one in person. The shop was going to charge $800 plus tax to replace the clutch and throw out bearing. $191.88 in parts and $570 in labor. I guess I am going to try my luck tearing into it. I downloaded the 1985 manual from this site, will it work for my 1986?

[Blacknkrome]

I will have to swing by the local transmission shop and ask about an old core.

[dlb]

Anyway in the last week it started making noise when I let out the clutch pedal,

what kind of noise was it making when you let the pedal up?

it felt as if it was grabbing and wanting to surge forward when I released the clutch even in neutral-like when warming up the car in the mornings or after work. Well the other day I released the clutch pedal and I heard something almost like a pop. The noise was much louder and I could hear something clanking around like a small piece of something came loose or broke off.

when the clutch pedal is down, the clutch is disengaged and the throwout bearing and pilot bearings spin. when the clutch pedal is up, the clutch is engaged. so if the sound was occurring when the pedal was up, even with the shifter in neutral, the problem is going to be in either the clutch or transmission. it could be the input shaft bearing on the trans but judging by the 'clanking' sound you described, i think your clutch has failed in a big way. depending on what is banging against what, you may have also damaged the flywheel so you will have to see when you remove the trans and clutch. if that's the case, you may be able to have the flywheel re-machined (i recommend doing this anytime you replace the clutch) or else you can just replace it with another used one. they are not hard to find because these 3a engines were used in all tercels from '81-'86 and even some '87s.

good luck and keep us posted as to what you find.

[Blacknkrome]

Thanks for the info I will keep you posted.

[ARCHINSTL]

Blacknkrome - see PM.
Tom M.

[Petros]

welcome to the forum.

do you know how old the existing clutch is? it sure sounds like a failed clutch. I have had them fail just like that, the pressure plate comes apart and make bad noises, and acts like it will not disengage. Usually a failed trans will not affect clutch funtion. If it shift okay, morel likely the trans is okay.

Just pull the trans and than take the clutch apart, if it is a bad trans or bad clutch, the trans has to come out anyway. It is a big job, but there is a procedure in the repair guilds section, and you have the FSM down load (yes, all the model years will have the same removal procedure, the '85 manul is fine). if I remember correctly the manual tells you to split the trans case to get it out, I like just pulling it out in one piece, trans and front diff/bell housing as one unit. much faster and less risk of trouble with things getting stuck.

that sounds a bit high for a clutch job, they perhaps did not want to mess with your car and was warning you what it could cost if they can not fix it. $2500 is tyical for a trans rebuild. No matter, you can replace the clutch yourself with about $100 worth of parts and a good set of hand tools. a floor jacks helps too to assist in lower and raising the trans, but it can also be muscled out and back in if you are not a 97 lb weakling. A jack is really helpful to get the heavy trans back in and up in the car. Once you get the trans out you will know for sure if it is indeed the clutch or the trans that is bad.

good luck.

[Blacknkrome]

I believe the clutch is original 176,000. Seems to shift good. I hope it is just something with the clutch. I don't think the shop wanted to mess with the car. We have had some weather, and school got canceled for tomorrow, (I am a teacher). So tomorrow I hope to get the tranny off.

[Gottolovem]

My gut tells me it's the clutch don't forget there's a write up for removal in repair guides section.

What grade do you teach I'm a elementary school maintenance/custodian at a small charter school?

[Petros]

at 176,000 miles on one clutch, I would be surprised that it has lasted this long without giving you issues. time for a new clutch for sure.