TSB: 2005-2011 Tacoma Manual Transmission Rattling Noise
Are you are the owner of a 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma with a 5-speed manual transmission? Do you notice a rattle noise when the vehicle is idling in neutral? If you fall within the warranty guidelines, you might contact your local Toyota service department to see if you can have it repaired.
In an August 19, 2011 Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), dealers were notified that some Tacoma vehicles equipped with the R155 5-speed manual transmission may exhibit a rattle noise from the transmission assembly while in neutral with the clutch pedal released. Toyota has produced part numbers and specific information for use with repairs of this problem.
This TSB affects some 2005-2011 MY Tacoma vehicles using Clutch Cover Assembly part numbers 31210-04080 thru 04083 and Clutch Disk Assembly part numbers 31250-04090, 04091, 26230 and 26231.
Replacement parts should be as follows:
- Clutch Cover Assembly – 31210-26172
- Clutch Disk Assembly – 31250-60500
Also of important note, the dealer will need the following Special Service Tools (SSTs) for repair:
- Clutch Guide Tool -09301-00210
- Clutch Diaphragm Spring Aligner – 09333-00013
Here’s the TSB process:
Step 1: Confirm there is a rattle noise from the transmission assembly when the clutch pedal is fully
released and the transmission is in neutral. If the noise is coming directly from the transmission assembly, check to see if the noise goes away when the clutch pedal is fully depressed. If this is the case, the remainder of the steps should be followed.
Step 2: Replace the clutch disk. Check the clutch cover for manufacturer AISIN. If the clutch cover is NOT manufactured by AISIN, if will also require replacement.
Step 3: Once the repairs are complete, test the vehicle to confirm the rattle noise has disappeared.
Because this is a replacement by the manufacturer, the applicable warranty on this replacement is for 36,000 miles or 36 months (whichever comes first) and is limited to the specific problem covered in this document.
If your vehicle meets these specifications, give your local Toyota dealer a call. Make sure they have the replacement parts in stock using part numbers provided by this document.
What’s the Service Bulletin and/or the NHTSA number?
Rattler – We should be putting those in the article, shouldn’t we? Here’s the Toyota TSB number with my apologies: T-SB-0103-11
I have a 2008 Tacoma, with 61000 kms. on it When running in neutral the release bearing sqeels. I have seen on various tacoma forums that this problem is very common. There has been no recall from Toyota even though it is clearly a factory defect. Many of these trucks were fixed under warranty only to have it reappear soon. Any insight? thx
Randy,
That is interesting. I can’t say I have seen many threads about this issue. It is possible that it is an issue, but our Toyota sources haven’t mentioned it to us.
-Tim
I would like to point out that this TSB does not invalidate or supersede T-SB-0066-11, which is another TSB related to the clutch on the 5-speed Tacoma.
T-SB-0066-11 is for clutch slipping.
This T-SB-0103-11 is for clutch rattling.
Note that each of these two TSB’s indicate replacing the clutch disk, and potentially also the pressure plate.
The slipping clutch TSB states to replace using pressure plate 31210-35291. The rattling clutch TSB states to replace only NON-AISIN pressure plates, and to install 31210-26172. Both TSB’s state to install friction disk 31250-60500.
I have heard suggested that since this TSB is dated more recently than 0066-11, that this would be the most up-to-date pressure plate to install. I do not believe this to be the case.
What it appears, is that the recommended replacement parts differ based on whether the symptom is SLIPPING, or RATTLING. If it is slipping, the replacement pressure plate is the more firm AISIN CTX-107. If all it is doing is rattling, replacement pressure plate is the standard AISIN CTX-106.
Thanks for the information and clarification!
-Tim