Johnhav430

I was gonna DIY the rear diff, I even have a 10-pack of Toyota crush washers.....at the last minute, I threw the gear oil in the car and said I'll let the indie do it on the lift when he's doing the tranny drain/fill....he charged me $40 labor (yes I do care about $40)....he said once again, it's important for the vehicle to be level, i.e. 4 jack stands. Or, he said leave it on the ground, and run a long tube to it to pump the oil in (would seem difficult unless one can just crawl under), so wth $40 isn't the end of the world. I did this many times on my 3rd Volvo since it was leaking, and did not worry about it being level....but rather follow procedure on this car....

The other oddity is I bought the wrong pump for this, it fits a normal quart, not the gear oil bottle....funny to be stick at the first step. The Volvo I squeezed it in...

Bocatrip

I remember having a similar whine in my cars from the past. Drove me crazy since I knew when it was going to appear. Rear end and trans whines for me personally has always been an incentive to sell. The expense is excessive and I don't like the feeling of driving a beater. Drive trains and major engine repairs are reason alone to abandon ship. That's me and not sure it's your problem however as mentioned on this forum 04 was the problematic year for the Trans even if partial early production cars. Good luck my friend.

AJT123

Lol guys, there is no "problematic" transmission on any of these, ANY year. Expect 200k at least out of any of these even without regular fluid changes. The '04 recall was for a parking prawl, had nothing to do with the shifting mechanicals. The TSB low speed lurch is annoying (mine has it, haven't fixed it), but I personally wouldn't equate that with it being a junk transmission that I'd be worried about imploding. My '04, I've changed the fluid once, shifts smooth as butter (always did).

k7q

iTrader: (37)

i have a 05 200k miles. i have the same jerk when slowing down and it down shifts from 2nd to 1st gear. did the TSB on it also and still jerks. i read it might be the ecu. i been lagging on bringing it to the dealer to get checked out.

tallcaguy

I basically agree with you. I usually can't even tell when the transmission shifts. The 2 D/F's helped. It was the first year of the transmission. The 70-80 whine is a minor irritation that many people can't even hear (like my indy). It seems to happen only w/ 04's. Maybe the (non) problem was corrected for the 05-06. Also in a quick test drive, -S- seems to solve the lurch problem. Durability? Expect 200k from the drivetrain. I drove an LS w/ 180k the other day. Quiet and smooth.

AJT123

I'd expect 200k from the drivetrain (at least) even if you literally never did any maintenance. Properly maintained they go well over 300,000. Watched a youtube video the other day, this lexus sales guy was excited that a 2003 LS430 that he sold came back in on a trade 14 years later. Mileage? 357,000 and nothing was wrong with it.

Johnhav430

I really hope that manual trannies will make a comeback. We went from a household of 100% manuals, to now 33% manuals with the Maxima not counted as it's no longer driven. Hey, I saw kids using Polaroid cameras last summer, anything is possible. But with tractors (trucks) having autos nowadays, and buses, it's somewhat doubtful. My buddy just got rid of his BMW, so now he is a household of 100% autos. Sad. So much more fun to drive, and little maintenance. My Maxima went 19 yrs and 244k on the original clutch. Busted, the gear oil was never changed.

Johnhav430

I certainly plan on 300k+, just worried if gas prices can stay reasonable for that long as I'm coming up on 93k now. Normally I would be livid, as I've put 12k on since Oct., if this were a new car or my garage queen. I just tolerate it because I think it will last and is reliable. What I mean is like 2,100 was for work, and yes reimbursed, but in retrospect I shoulda rented a car instead. (I tell myself I enjoyed driving my own car more than a rental during those days)

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

There is a known malady about a whine emanating from a rear wheel bearing...comes and goes with load.

caverman

I agree, wish manuals would come back but the chances of that are extremely slim. Autos are too fuel efficient now and car manufacturers are going to push for that. If we go to more electric cars then they will basically only have a Park, Reverse, Drive and that's it.

My oldest son just turned 16 and I really want to get him a manual car just so he can learn. I think it's a dying skill. Unfortunately, trying to find a decent car that is manual for $5k - $6k (my budget in order to run liability insurance and knowing it could get totaled) is near impossible. I'm still on the look out but if I end up going with an auto car I'm looking at getting him a GS300.