03 corolla manual transmission going bad - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jollycorolla · 03-02-2009, 10:25 PM

I have an 03 corolla with manual transmission that is exhibiting problems similar to what I've read on other postings. The transmission makes a growling, rattling noise when it is in gear and the clutch is out. It definitely sounds like a bearing is going bad, similar to others postings. Car has 125,000 mi.

My question is, is it to my advantage to replace the bearing now, or should I just wait until the transmission totally self-destructs and get a new one at that time? How involved is the bearing replacement? I'm not sure which bearing it is, but hopefully if you read my description above about the sound it makes, maybe you can tell. Is this something that should be left up to the mechanic or could I attempt it myself? My "most challenging" car repair to date is just brakes, struts and water pumps. I've never torn into an engine or tranny.

05_Echo · 03-04-2009, 05:34 AM

Wow this is becoming a problem for these cars, I myself just got a very low milage tranny from the wreckers and put that in but I'm sure you can get yours rebuilt for the same price.

I hope everyone that has this problem fires off an email to Toyota, I was talking to someone that is higher up in Toyota and they said if they get enough complaints that they might offer a free repair for this problem.

jollycorolla · 03-04-2009, 09:55 PM

Well, the transmission began its destruction today on the way home. fortunately I managed to get it to the dealer before it completely pooped out. We'll see what they say tomorrow. I'll be sure to mention that I've heard about this problem with several other vehicles. I'm sure they already know this but still.... I was totally becoming one of their classic marketing success stories planning to move up to a Camry and maybe a Lexus someday but now maybe I should switch to Honda!!

dorman68 · 03-09-2009, 06:39 AM

After reading all of the trouble everyone has had with the 5-speed I was scared of buying a 5-speed so I went with an auto trans instead.

mcdawgg · 03-09-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorman68

After reading all of the trouble everyone has had with the 5-speed I was scared of buying a 5-speed so I went with an auto trans instead.

The 2003 manuals can be problems, but I have not heard anything bad about other years.

jeepwranglerg · 03-09-2009, 02:07 PM

Have you tried bleeding the slave cyl? Its due for a full bleeding including brakes. Just did my 2000 truck went ahead and purchased new master clutch and slave online not to much money and took my time. I used walmart dot 3 in blue big bottle seemed to be enough but your use may vary.

jollycorolla · 03-09-2009, 07:28 PM

Had the transmission replaced this weekend at the dealer. Like other 03s it was bearing failure. If I was more proactive I maybe could have had it rebuilt when it first started making noise. I figured that wouldn't have fixed the "design flaw" that made the bearing fail in the first place, though. The dealer put in a new transmission, machined the clutch, new press. plate and throwout bearing (for $3600 incl parts and labor). The dealer claimed that the transmission they put in had included the redesign to prevent the failure from happening again. I've heard that later model years have also included that correction. So if you're the owner of an '03 manual, beware! If your tranny hasn't failed yet, it will soon.

Volvosteel · 03-10-2009, 05:06 PM

I have an 03 Manual Also with 220K on it, has never given me an issue and ive only replaced the fluid once! there are 2 versions of the corolla that were released one from Overseas and one from California, i know mine was from California, has any checked to see if it was one or another?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jollycorolla

Had the transmission replaced this weekend at the dealer. Like other 03s it was bearing failure. If I was more proactive I maybe could have had it rebuilt when it first started making noise. I figured that wouldn't have fixed the "design flaw" that made the bearing fail in the first place, though. The dealer put in a new transmission, machined the clutch, new press. plate and throwout bearing (for $3600 incl parts and labor). The dealer claimed that the transmission they put in had included the redesign to prevent the failure from happening again. I've heard that later model years have also included that correction. So if you're the owner of an '03 manual, beware! If your tranny hasn't failed yet, it will soon.