2003 Toyota Corolla 5 Speed

[Tumas]

Hello all, first post, great site you have here. I am looking at buying a 2003 Corolla with the 5 speed standard. It has 220,000km on it. Is transmission failure GUARENTEED with this model year? Is there anyone here that has NOT had issues with there 03 5 speed? I can get the car for a very good price ($2200) and it is in very good shape. I almost bought it today but decided to do a bit of research before I buy. I am now a bit weary about buying it because Ive read a few stories about the bad transmission. Is there any difference between the US model trans. and the Canadian model trans? or are they all the same? My first car was a 89 Toyota camry station wagon, my dad bought it new, and gave it to me when i got my license, I brought it to the scrap yard 3 years ago cause the body was in really rough shape, but the car had 768,000 km on it!!! Original motor and trans! Any info on this transmission issue would be appreicated. From what ive been reading, theres no way to tell if its on its way out or not, it just happens out of no where. So I really dont know what to do now

[invader]

USA and Canadian models are the same. Some revisions were made to the transmission synchros right after the 2003 model which had more bearing and synchro failures. Regular gear lube changes at every 64000 kms as recommended helps greatly. I actually switched to Amsoil synthetic at original 3600 kms on my 2004. Original gear lube was of a very strange metallic silver-gray two tone color, unlike the gear lube I replaced in bro's and friend's 2005's. My 2004 is still perfect at 224000 kms.. Original clutch would also tend to start slipping by now, especially in colder winter months. Unless you can be absolutely sure of proper maintenance and sound condition, I'd avoid a 2003 model.

[Tumas]

Really! Im not calling you a liar, you obivously have some first hand expirence, but I find that so hard to believe with the past expirences Ive had with toyota reliaibility... Does anyone else have a high mileage 2003 corolla with a 5 speed with the original transmission? Id expect so much more than what ive been reading out of a toyota.

[invader]

Are there maintenance records showing transmission fluid replacement at 64000 km (40000 mile) intervals? Have you road tested it?

http://www.9thgencorolla.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=92101

http://www.9thgencorolla.com/forum/s...d.php?t=116111

[Firescooby]

Got a 2003 CE 5 speed with 151k miles. I bought it used with 120k and changed fluid to Redline.

I've noticed its making noise. I know that if it's going, I've got my life out of this POS tranny.

It is only making noise while under load. Is this the same problem (input bearing) or something different. When I let off the throttle, noise stops.

Thanks in advance!!

[invader]

Originally Posted by Firescooby

Got a 2003 CE 5 speed with 151k miles. I bought it used with 120k and changed fluid to Redline.

I've noticed its making noise. I know that if it's going, I've got my life out of this POS tranny.

It is only making noise while under load. Is this the same problem (input bearing) or something different. When I let off the throttle, noise stops.

Thanks in advance!!

Yes, that would be your transmission's input bearing that's going.

http://cobratransmission.com/index.p...x&cPath=2_1940

[expertmax]

It's the input shaft bearing !

The clutch on the 9th generation is very tricky and unpleasant to drive. The gas is very sensitive and you don't feel the friction point that well. I often drive my fathers 9th gen and I really don't like it. If the car has the original clutch, it already might be on its last miles and because you don't know this car, you will probably slip the clutch a bit before getting used to it.

I would recommend test driving the car and if you like it, go for it ! Also check if the engine show signs of leaks and ask what kind of oil the engine had and never switch back.

[Firescooby]

Ok, its the input shaft bearing...more advice needed.

I'm gonna have it rebuilt, but wanting to save as much money as possible.

The tranny shifts fine, and they're gonna put a clutch in it while it's out.

Should I just have them change the input shaft bearing unless they see something obvious?

If the other things tend to stay healthy, I don't wanna waste money. Thanks!!

[invader]

I suppose you could have only the input shaft front bearing replaced. Tranny still has to be split open to replace the one bearing. You'll also need a new front transaxle case oil seal which has to be removed to press out the bearing.

Bearing # 90365-25021 (Koyo RNU050415A) Retail $52.05, $37.55
Seal # 90311-25011 $7.46, $5.45
from: https://www.1sttoyotaparts.com/oempartscat.html

Ask them about inspecting the input shaft rear bearing as well.
# 90363-25048 (Koyo DG2568HNSH2C3) Retail $36.74, $26.51.

[Firescooby]

Originally Posted by invader

I suppose you could have only the input shaft front bearing replaced. Tranny still has to be split open to replace the one bearing. You'll also need a new front transaxle case oil seal which has to be removed to press out the bearing.

Bearing # 90365-25021 (Koyo RNU050415A) Retail $52.05, $37.55
Seal # 90311-25011 $7.46, $5.45
from: https://www.1sttoyotaparts.com/oempartscat.html

Ask them about inspecting the input shaft rear bearing as well.
# 90363-25048 (Koyo DG2568HNSH2C3) Retail $36.74, $26.51.

Yeah, I'm gonna have them inspect everything.

Car has 150k and shifts fine. Is there anything else that tends to go?

After putting this money into it, I'm gonna need it to go at least another 100k to make it worth it.

[trailerCaptain]

I've been through 2 transmissions on my 03 S model, one at 130k another at 170k. My brother's S model grenaded on him while doing 80 on the freeway and the wheels locked up. Buy an auto(yuk) or an 04+. Never been any recalls for this issue, THANKS TOYOTA!

[Firescooby]

Taking into shop next week.

Right now the price is $700 for labor, input shaft bearing, rear main seal, and clutch.

We'll see if anything else needs replacing.

[acmilan2050]

Originally Posted by Firescooby

Taking into shop next week.

Right now the price is $700 for labor, input shaft bearing, rear main seal, and clutch.

We'll see if anything else needs replacing.

Sounds kindda a lot no?

[Firescooby]

Originally Posted by acmilan2050

Sounds kindda a lot no?

HAHAHAHA....NO!!!

Considering ALL other prices were $1050-1800!!

[Habs_Fan]

Wow, you guys are freaking me out with these tranny issues! I've been driving for 11 yrs and have ALWAYS driven a manual tranny. Used to drive a 96 passat tdi (diesel) and had to change the 5spd after around 175000km, sold the car at 250000km. Now I have a 2006 corolla se, it has about 95000km on it now, bought it used with about 78k just over a year ago. The tranny feels fine to me, although its not as smooth as some other comparable cars. Do I need to worry about having to replace my clutch before it reaches 200k? I drive pretty agressively and also downshift to slow down occasionaly but usually at slower speeds (40mph or less). I never shift aggressively (dropping the clutch and flooring the gas), but do tend to change gears in the higher rpm range (5000rpm and up) when I accelerate or drive aggressively. Brakes are much cheaper than a clutch so I never downshift at high speed.
I'll be happy if my clutch last to 200k, I'm almost halfway there already