Yikes, my FSM says that you are best off removing the trans and engine together through the bottom. On the other hand I've taken just the trans out of other FWDs like this. If you just want to stabilize it when you pull out the trans you have three options. There will be three mounts that you won't take loose.

******* option number 1: put a floor jack under the oil pan and a block of wood between them. This method is OK but don't knock the jack out when monkeying around with the trans.

******* option number 2: Use a crane or come-along to hold it up. You have to attach it to something on the trans side of the engine that can support the weight of the engine. Preferably one of those hooks that seems to come on some engines or a large bolt. Don't use the intake you could crack it and create an air leak. The crane leg can get in the way. Last year I changed a clutch in a Celica this way.

Most correct method number 3: Get a engine support bar thing that spans the fenders and holds the engine. These are a tool built for this purpose although I have no clue where to get one.

I'll look at my engine when my van gets home.

 

Black Sunshine, Thanks for your reply. GoFast78

I was planning on using the engine hoist and a transmission jack. Everything is cleared out of the way and removed except for the sub frame. My big concern is lacking some factory instructions as where to attach the chains to the engine to just stabilize it while removing the sub frame. In the front (left side if the engine was put in strait <))) the engine mount is readily available but the back mount is on the other side of the intake and I don't want to break anything!

I believe the converter is out to lunch. The van went into a coast situation with the engine revving to 5000 rpm in cruise control at 75mph. After that is wouldn't work in any gear. So I plan on checking it first when it comes out.

Gofast78

 

I forgot to look at mine last night when my wife got home. You only need to hold up the transmission side of the engine. Just leave the other side hanging on the mounts.

 

Hi Black Sunshine,
I found the lifting hook behind the intake manifold! No excuse for not seeing it earlier. Two pictures of this are posted in my photo galery, enlarge to see the circle marking the area
Thanks for your input,
GoFast

 

I never noticed that hook. I looked today and didn't even notice it. It's bolted to the head and the intake. It should be strong enough but it's not in a very good position. That hook is directly over the rear mount on the bottom. I don't see where lifting it would do much that the mount on the bottom isn't already doing.

The bigger question is will the trans have enough room to drop down through the subframe once it's clear of the output shaft? I was looking at mine and it looks like the end of the trans sits over the frame.

 

HI,

No, the sub frame has to go. It's in the way by about 6". Next weeks project, waiting for a friend to come home so I can borrow his transmission jack. His is much better than mine. I have a hoist.

GoFast

 

If you take the subframe down you'll need two good points to hold the motor up. Are you sure that the transmission doesn't have an electronic problem? Isn't there a solenoid that controls the lockup?

If you're taking the subframe down taking the engine with it wouldn't be too much harder. They are much easier to separate that way too.

 

There were no codes. The thing will not work in any gear including reverse and it had absolutely no slippage prior to its demise. The ASG manual points to the converter or the valve assembly. The converter can be bench checked and the valve assembly can be remove in the car. I'll keep you posted. This piece of junk has only 46000 miles on it. On the Fed's complaint web page it seems like every fifth one is this transmission on the 98 to 02 models. This is my third Toyota and the first time with any real problem. Will keep you posted and will get back on the job late next week,
I suspect the stator stop that keeps it from going backward is to blame
GoFast78

 

I've never had a problem with mine. It's got 227,000 miles on it. I'm surprised to hear about so many trans problems because there are very few reported here.

 

Hi Black Sunshine,
Here is a sample from the other sight.

Print


Complaints - Search Results

47 Record(s) Displayed.
Report Date : April 24, 2011 at 11:10 PMSearch Type : VEHICLEYear : 2000Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAMake : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10242280Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: September 10, 2008VIN : Not Available Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER DETACHED AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS HANGING BY A WIRE. THE CONTACT USED A SCREWDRIVER TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10223698Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: April 8, 2008VIN : 4T3ZF13C4YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

THE DIFFERENTIAL/TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA IS FAILING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AT UNDER 100,000 MILES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE COMPLETED ALL REQUIRED SERVICE. *TR
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10221870Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: March 19, 2008VIN : Not Available Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA TOTALLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ON THE ROAD WHICH CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION OF THE VAN HAVING NO WAY OF MOVING. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT IN THEIR 2000 VANS AND ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT MY VAN MILEAGE IS OVER THEIR LIMIT HENCE THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. *TR
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10216274Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: January 10, 2008VIN : 4T3ZF13C8YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE SPORADICALLY LOSES ALL ELECTRICAL POWER IN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD REVVING NOISE THAT GREW PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. ONE WEEK LATER, SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION, BUT SHE MISSED IT BY FOUR MONTHS. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING HER VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000.
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10204601Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: September 30, 2007VIN : 4T3ZF13C3YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

I AM SECOND OWNER OF TOYOTA SIENNA, 2000 .I BOUGHT AT 32000 MILES. TOYOTA HAS RECALL ON EXTENDED TRANSMISSION WARRANTY (SERVICE BULLETIN TC03014) . YESTERDAY I WAS ON THE WAY TO AIRPORT AND SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND TRY TO GO WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE CAR HAD SOME NOISE COMING FROM IT AND IT DIDN'T MOVING , I TRIED DIFFERENT GEARS AND IT STILL DIDN'T MOVE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PARK. CAR WAS MOVING BACK SO I PUT SAFETY BRAKE ON AND I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT BY FIRST OWNER, NEXT DAY THEY CALL ME AND TELL ME IT HAS PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. I TELL THEM LAST YEAR WHEN I SERVICED MY CAR FOR 36K SERVICE TO CHECK MY CAR FOR TRANSMISSION BUT THEY TELL ME IT HAS NO PROBLEM RELATED TO THAT, ALSO I GIVE THEM EXTENDED WARRANTY RECALL LETTER. NOW THIS CAR HAS ONLY 47K MILES BUT JUST PASS PERIOD BY TWO MONTHS ONLY . BUT SHOULD STILL COVER UP TO 100K MILES EXTENDED WARRANTY AS PER RECALL LETTER , BUT ATLANT TOYOTA DON'T WANT TO FIX UNDER THAT WARRANTY. DO YOU THINK SUCH A REPUTABLE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA CAN HAVE PROBLEM AT 47K MILE FOR TRANSMISSION. I ASK TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA SERVICE TELEPHONE NO. BUT THEY DON'T GIVE ME ANY INFO. IS THERE ANYBODY THAT CAN HELP TO COVER SUCH A BIG EXPENSE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION ABOUT $. 3500.00. *JB
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10154789Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: April 7, 2006VIN : 4T3ZF13C6YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

MY MECHANIC INFORMS ME THAT THE "SPEED SENSOR" ON MY 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA HAS GONE BAD AND CANNOT BE REPLACED. SHE STATED THAT THE SIENNA'S THAT WERE MANUFACTURED OVERSEAS HAVE ACCESSIBILITY TO THIS PART, BUT THAT THOSE MADE IN THE U.S. HAVE NO WAY TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THE RESULT OF THIS DEFECT IS THAT I NO LONGER HAVE A REVERSE GEAR AND SHE SAID THAT FIRST GEAR WILL GO AT ANY TIME, AND NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN FIX. NOW CAR IS WORTHLESS CAR. *JB
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10151800Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: March 3, 2006VIN : Not Available Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

2000 TOYOTA SIENNA LE NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. HAS 73,000 MI. *NM
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10112754Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: March 7, 2005VIN : 4T3ZF13C9YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

THE LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A STOP LIGHT, ON A 50 MPH ROAD, CAR TRANSMISSION SLIPPED TWICE, AND THEN WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS IS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT IT NEW FROM WALNUT CREEK TOYOTA, A 2000 SIENNA. *AK AT 6000 MILES, AT 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION GRABBED THE CAR THROWING THE FOUR OF US INTO ANOTHER LANE.IT WAS REPLACED. AT 53,000 OR 47000 ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION IT BEGAN TO GRIND AND IT WAS AGAIN REPLACED. 12,000 LATER AT 65,000. THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURED. TOYOTA OF WALNUT CREEK HAS STATED THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO SHREAD THE TRANSMISSIONS. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE THE NEW TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AGAIN AND THIS TIME THERE MAY BE AN ACCIDENT. I FEEL THE CAR HAS LOST ALL ITS VALUE.
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : YesFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 1ODI ID Number : 10091017Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: September 14, 2004VIN : Not Available Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

I BACKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS A TRASH CAN IN THE WAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVEWAY, SO I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND HOPPED OUT TO MOVE THE CAN. I TURNED TO GET BACK IN THE CAR AND FOUND IT MOVING FORWARD UP THE DRIVEWAY. I CHASED THE CAR UP THE DRIVEWAY. IT RAN OVER A JOGGERBUGGY AND STRUCK A RETAINING WALL BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO IT AND STOP IT.
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10039055Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: August 17, 2003VIN : 4T3ZF13C1YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

TOYOTA 2000 SIENNA WITH 62,000 MILES WITH FAITHFUL SERVICE, AND JUST HAD OIL CHANGE ON 8/13/2003, EN ROUTE TO ATLANTA FROM MARYLAND. AT CHARLOTTE, NC A HIGH PITCHED WHINING SOUND WAS HEARD. BY THE TIME ARRIVED IN ATLANTA SOUND WAS PERSISTENT. TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO IDENTIFIED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AS "DIGESTING ITSELF". THIS SAME CAR HAD AN ENGINE SLUDGE AT 35K DESPITE OIL CHANGES. CAR OUT OF SERVICE WHILE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE ENTIRELY REPLACED. *JB
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10032229Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: VIN : 4T3ZF13C6YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

PROBLEMS WITH TIRE WEAR, TRANSMISSION AND POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE IS ON IT'S FOURTH SET OF TIRES AT 45,000 MILES DUE TO TRACKING PROBLEM. THERE WAS A WHINE COMING FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER PUMP. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THERE WAS EARLY SLUDGE BUILDING UP IN THE OIL. THE ENGINE MADE NOISE AND VIBRATED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR *CB *JB
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10021310Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: May 25, 2003VIN : 4T3ZF13C4YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 AT 75-80 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION ALL OF THE SUDDEN STOPPED WORKING. THE ENGINE RACES WHEN GAS PEDAL DEPRESS AND NO TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, WAS ABLE TO WEAVE OUT OF HARMS WAY AND COAST TO AN EXIT AND ENOUGH SPEED TO STOP AT A GAS STATION. CALL FOR TOW TRUCK AND TOWED INTO O'STEEN TOYOTA @ BRUNSWICK. LONG WEEKEND PREVENTING ANY CAR RENTAL (ALL CLOSED) AND ENDED UP TAKING A TAXI (58 MILES AWAY) ALL THE WAY TO JACKSONVILLE AIRPORT FOR A CAR RENTAL TO GO BACK TO MELBOURNE, FL. TO TAKE ON VACATION THE NEXT DAY. CAR LEFT AT O'STEEN AND WAS TOLD A RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION IS REPLACED AND POSSIBLE THOUGHT OF PINION GEAR FAILURE. SINCE THEY CANNOT OPEN UP THE TRANSMISSION FOR ANY DETAIL LOOK AT FAILURE. SERIOUS ACCIDENT CAN OCCUR IN THIS KIND OF FAILURE. LOOKS LIKE A WHOLE LOT OF SAME PROBLEMS SINCE 2000, WHY IS THERE NO EQUIPMENT RECALLS IS BEYOND ME. *JB
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10016386Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: January 24, 2003VIN : 4T3ZF13C9YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

FLUID LEAK AROUND THE TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET. REPAIRED 3 TIMES BY 2 DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS. EASY JOB BUT MAYBE IT IS A DEEPER PROBLEM? TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT WHEN COLD FOR ABOUT 2 MILES AFTER THE FIRST AND SECOND TIME IT WAS "FIXED." AFTER THE THIRD TIME TRYING TO STOP THE OIL LEAK, THEY ADJUSTED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND NOW IT SEEMS TO SHIFT MORE NORMALLY IN COLD MORNINGS. SINCE NEW, THE LEFT SLIDING MANUAL DOOR WAS HARD TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. AFTER 2 TRIPS FOR "ADJUSTMENTS" THE DOOR IS OPENING CORRECTLY. *JB
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10014842Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: March 3, 2003VIN : 4T32F13C6YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION AND TIRE EQUIPMENT. MR THE VEHICLE WAS ON IT'S FOURTH SET OF TIRES DUE TO A TRACKING PROBLEM. THERE WAS A WHINE COMING FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER PUMP. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL ON THREE OCCASIONS. DEALER SAW INDICATIONS OF EARLY SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE OIL. THE ENGINE MADE NOISES AND VIBRATED. (DAYTON/GOODYEAR) *SCC *NLM *CB *JB
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : YesFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 1ODI ID Number : 10005870Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: February 14, 2003VIN : Not Available Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

VEHICLE, WITH NO ONE IT IT BUT RUNNING, SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE (AFTER STANDING STILL FOR AT LEAST A FULL MINUTE OR TWO). VEHICLE BACKED DOWN DRIVEWAY CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND HOUSE. I'M NOT A CARELESS PERSON, SO I CHECKED YOUR DATABASE AND SEE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS.
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10005510Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: February 3, 2003VIN : 4T3ZF19C4YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

PREMATURE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. MY SIENNA WAS MAKING A WHINING NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS. TOOK TO DEALER AND FOUND OUT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISION. WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60,000 - TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 67,000. SHARDS OF METAL PRESENT IN DRIP PAN. VEHICLE WAS WELL-MAINTAINED AND SERVICED AT TOYOTA DEALER AT SPECIFIED SERVICE INTERVALS. I AM JUST LUCKY IT DID NOT FREEZE UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY LIKE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSIONS IN 2000 SIENNAS AS IS EVIDENCED BY ALL THE COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS INTERNET SITES. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REP DID GET THE PRICE DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY; HOWEVER, I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER HAS A DEFECT AND SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL OR RE-IMBURSE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM.
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10005062Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: January 31, 2003VIN : 4T3ZF19C8YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. MY CAR IS A 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH 24000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION QUICKLY AND THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, I FOUND FROM ONLINE WEB SITE THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG 2000 TOYOTA SIENNAS. TS
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10004431Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: December 21, 2002VIN : 4T3ZF13C9YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR FIVE HOURS, THE TRANSMISSION WOOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD. DEALER REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
Make : TOYOTAModel : SIENNAYear : 2000Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Crash : NoFire : NoNumber of Injuries: 0ODI ID Number : 10000445Number of Deaths: 0</SPAN>Date of Failure: December 30, 2002VIN : 4T3ZF13C7YU... Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary:

2000 TOYOTA SIENNA 75000 MILES FREQUENT AND TIMELY OIL CHANGES/MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES ADHERED TO AFTER HEARING A GRINDING SOUND AFTER DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT THE DAY CARE, THE VAN SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE SOMETHING BROKE. IT BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD IT TOWED FROM THIS LOCATION AND WE WERE TOLD BY LONGMONT TOYOTA THAT WE NEEDED THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE AFTER MAINTAINING THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT AT 75000 MILES. AT THIS TIME WE ARE CONTACTING TOYOTA FOR RESOLUTION. I SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WONDER WHY INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR THOSE CONSUMERS WHO OWN THE 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. TS

 

Hi All

Here is the URL for the previos note

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/index.cfm

 

Hi Black Sunshine,

My 2000 Sienna is finally fixed. A new torque converter did the job. There was no hurry on this project and I had a lot of distractions. As soon as I finish this note more pictures will go on my page to show how well the suspension of the engine went.

Your car is amazing with so many miles on the first generation Sienna. Speaking to the Toyota parts man, he said that vintage has had lots or trouble. I asked if the later transaxle would fit on the 2000, he quickly looked it up and said no. My plan was to get a Junker 2001 or later instead of messing with this T/A.

The bolt torques were very high on the axle nuts and the sub frame, over 200# a long handle torque wrench would have been nice.

Gofast78

 

I just put my jack handle over my torque wrench. Instant long handle for any wrench. A lot of the frequent posters here have high mileage 1st gen Sienna's. I will definitely take a look at your pictures thanks for posting them. I'm paranoid about a catastrophic failure in our van. I don't want to take another payment and I know that I can get a new engine or trans for a reasonable price.

 

Excuse my ignorance, but can somebody give me a picture of the trans-axle's location in proximity to the drive shafts? I thought that the only thing that would go bad was the drive shafts, quick order from a reliable aftermarket vendor (GPS) and viola. I had no idea that it was that complicated. Thanks

 

Hi SiennaCruza,

I would suggest you open a free account at AutoZone, then you will yave access to intructions and diagrams of the various parts in relation to each other.
https://www.autozone.com

If you haven't gotten the shafts out a tip is you will have to unbolt the bottom of the strut where it meets the little A frame on the Sub frame. On the left wheel becareful to pry on the hard part of the axle assembly where it omes out of the trans axle. there is a soft metal ring around a rubber cover there that will deform if you pry on it. The left axle has a locking ring on the end of the shaft which you have to pry agoinst to get it out, but it does come out.

If you have never worked on front wheel drive ist seems compicated but it's really not bad.

Gofast78

 

SiennaCruza,

The OP's Sienna suffered from a catastrophic failure. The term trans-axle is a synonym for transmission.

In a front wheel drive vehicle such as our Sienna's the transmission and differential are joined into one unit. This is commonly referred to as the trans-axle. It's mated to the engine and they are suspended in the frame together. Generally the axles themselves are installed parallel to the engine/trans-axle and they slightly behind them. Because the trans-axle is mounted off center the passenger side axle is longer than the driver side axle. Because of the longer length, the passenger side axle in most vehicles has a bearing in the center that supports it and keeps it from flying out.

The difference in axle length also creates torque steer. Torque steer is when you accelerate heavily and your front wheel drive will veer slightly.