Tranny Question

[mattlock]

I bought a 2000 Tundra a couple of months ago and I have been happy so far with it.

One thing that is bothering me though is the condition of the transmisson. It seems to shift smoothley and doesn't slip or anything but once in a while when I am coming to a stop there is a faint clunk that sounds like it may be coming from the tranny.

I tried to look up in the owners manual how one would check the fluid level. There is nothing in there at all dealing with this. So I did what I have done in the past on auto transmissions, I warmed the truck up and checked the fluid level with the engine running. It looked a little low, so I added a quart.

Yesterday I checked it again and now it looks like there is fluid past the full point on the dipstick. WTF? Should I have the fluid changed now because I risk screwing something up due to the excess fluid level. Also, should I go for a flush or just have them drain out the old fluid in the pan and have the filter changed? Any thoughts?

[Jetboy]

It seems like the clunk issue is usually due to lack of lubrication in the slip joint of the rear drive shaft. Not sure about the over filled fluid level, but the level will change depending on whether you check it running or not as well as warm or cold. Check your manual for when you should be looking at it.

[mattlock]

Originally Posted by Jetboy

It seems like the clunk issue is usually due to lack of lubrication in the slip joint of the rear drive shaft. Not sure about the over filled fluid level, but the level will change depending on whether you check it running or not as well as warm or cold. Check your manual for when you should be looking at it.

Part of the problem is that the manual says nothing about the tranny level check.

[HOGWILD]

2WD or 4WD ? 4WD would have a zerk lube fitting on rear axle to lube this and normally take care of this issue but if you have a 2WD could be tranny issue?

[bustanutley]

Everyone that I wheel with that has an auto runs their trannies overfilled by a quart to keep them from stalling when off camber, doubt it causes damage.

[cackalak han]

There are 5 zerk fittings in the rear shaft and 3 on the front (IIRC). Even 2WD's have zerks to grease in the rear drive shaft. You're just experiencing axle wrap.