Ken167

My 2006 IS350 has 135K miles, runs great, is in excellent condition, and was dealer serviced by the first owner.

Ive had the car 7 mos and Ive noticed an occasional soft mild clunk when the trans is downshifting coming to a stop. Otherwise trans is fine. I went to a Lexus dealer and of course they tried to scare me by saying trans is going out etc. so they can generate business. I don't believe its going out, could be just normal wear for a 10 year car. My previous vehicle was an 02 Tundra that I sold with 260K miles with original trans and engine and it ran like new.

I can't believe a Lexus/Toyota with 135K miles would be having trans problems. Any thoughts?????????

MikeyK02

iTrader: (7)

Have you had your transmission flushed? that's what I did

Ken167

That's what I will do

Mrfix

Check the U-Joints on the drive shaft. That clunking sounds like you may have some play in the drive shaft. If you need some help check Youtube and there should be plenty of vids on how to check your U-Joints. If you haven't changed your trans fluid ever you might want to just drain and fill a few times instead of doing a flush. But again your problem sounds like maybe a U-Joint might be going. It also may be a good time to change the Differential Fluid if it has never been changed.

VaderIS250

If they're telling you its going out its true. I ignored those noises too until it was too late, my car has been in the shop for over a month because trans gave out on me ):

flynryan

Dont think that because it has 135k miles on it that it wont need a tranny. Mine had 128k miles on it and I replaced it. Your transmission should be sending some CEL's though that you would see on you instrument guages, maybe it will happen soon. I have heard that these trannies are supposed to be bullet proof but there are plenty of people replacing theirs. I would try the fluid change to see if it helps.

Ken167

How much did the new trans cost--if it goes out I might be able to only afford a used or rebuilt one

Mrfix

Check www.car-parts.com. I have seen them as low as $400 and as high as $1800. You might want to get a low mileage used one as opposed to a rebuilt one. Rebuilt Tranny's don't last very long typically.

flynryan

The good news is that you are in Orange and the salvage yard that I used is in Fontana. I'll put the link below. The tranny was $400 plus $50 core. Mine had 103k miles on it from what they told me but its hard to really tell so you have to trust them I guess. A buddy and myself put it in and worked great right from the get go. This salvage yard doesnt carry any cars that are more than 10 years old so most of the stuff is newer. I looked at the yard when they were bringing my tranny out by forklift and they do have mostly newer cars back there. From the research that I have done, $400 for a used tranny for these cars is pretty good.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...YbR-OOlxGIZGpw

Tyler1004

Check your motor/tranny mounts.

flynryan

Good point

SC400slide

iTrader: (11)

Since this is a quick/intense car, the transmission gets jerked around more than the norm. I suggest checking the trans mounts. Also a flush is a good idea if the fluid isn't burnt.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

If you've not done this since you've owned the car you will want to do this. Disconnect the battery for 20 minutes to force the car's systems to fully reset. Reconnect, and immediately go out and drive the car how you would on a daily basis. The car's ecus will learn YOUR driving habits and shift points. Hopefully this might help. Next thing I'd recommend is the trickle trans fluid flush.

MikeyK02

iTrader: (7)

Hmmm need to go do this