99 I4 camry transmission kick, HELP!

[njwrestler07]

I have 51,000 miles on my 99 I4 camry, the transmission kicks pretty noticeably sometimes, example, if im on the highway and have cruise control on, and i go up a hill and it downshifts, it kicks very hard, can anyone tell me why?

[wilsonman02]

when is the last time you changed the fluid?

[njwrestler07]

not sure, i've only had the car for a year, you think that could cause it to kick?

[wilsonman02]

It could, but might as well start with the cheapest thing and go from there.

[deadrx7conv]

11 year old ATF would do that. So, start with a simple pan drain/refill. Use a quality synthetic or blend. Don't forget the differential as its overdue for a change too.

You probably have a ton of maintenance that needs to be done. All fluids, filters, belts... need to be changed. Anytime you buy a used vehicle, you change it all for your baseline and go from there.

[njwrestler07]

got it last year in june with 22,000 on it, my great grandfather was a nut, always changed everything every year, belts are new, i run synthetic oil in it now, so synthetic trans fluid and what about differential fluid, synthetic in that too?

[Chris Crash]

Sounds more like a mount issue than anything else.

[LynchburgCSI]

Would he really have a mount issue at 22k?

[Chris Crash]

51 k and maybe.

The rubber is still almost 20 years old. I think age is more important than mileage for mounts.

[njwrestler07]

so you think the trans mount? well my trans might have to be pulled out because it is leaking a little, the fluid level is fine but where the seal is that its leaking from, supposedly is has to be pulled and i also have a bad bearing where the left front axle goes into the trans that may be causing my front end shake, this car has just been hell for me so far

[Chris Crash]

Ruh roh! Rear main seal.

[96ToyoCam164K]

Originally Posted by njwrestler07

so you think the trans mount? well my trans might have to be pulled out because it is leaking a little, the fluid level is fine but where the seal is that its leaking from, supposedly is has to be pulled and i also have a bad bearing where the left front axle goes into the trans that may be causing my front end shake, this car has just been hell for me so far

No way...my 96 camry mount went out at like 170,000 or something. But, if that is the case, I would change it as the engine could break an axle like it did mine once it breaks.

2 thoughts...I would think its normal for a transmission to 'kick' when going uphill and downhill right? Going downhill, the torque converter is locking up or something, and when going uphill...the RPM is going to 'kick' into 4th or 5th gear.

Other thought, my mom has a Suzuki that at around 50,000 miles developed an $800 transmission issue that was covered by warranty. So....

And 1 more thing...22,000 miles in 10 years sounds like the car was sitting, so no way was your granny changing the fluids "like a nut". I dont even think he changed the transmission fluid that soon. If the car was sitting alot, that alone could cause issues...but probably not with transmission. I say..change fluid, right now.

[njwrestler07]

Thanks 96, i appreciate the help!

[fenixus]

mounts are possible, I had to replace mine at like what 64k miles or so? when tranny was shifting I was jerking behind the steering wheel. tranny ATF flush helped it a bit to smoothen out shifting process, but the real problem was mounts.

check the easiest one to check, the dog bone shaped on top passenger side. if rubber bushings are cracked then you have the answer. usually when the dog bone (engine torque rod) is shot then most likely others are worn out too (front, rear and transmission mount).

I decided to replace all of them shortly after I swapped the dog bone, because changing just that haven't quite solved the problem.

by all means, drain and refil the ATF in transmission and differential for starters and go from there. inspect the dog bone (I know it's a stupid name, but it's easier to type than some engine movement or torque rod or whatever it's named).

[njwrestler07]

Im going to prob do the fluids this weekend, its just to much stuff wrong with it to do it at once.