95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

The price of power or just bad luck? Caution: Graphic images!

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Old 03-27-2007 | 07:21 AM
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The price of power or just bad luck? Caution: Graphic images!



That's what?s left of the overdrive planetary from my '02 A340F. Currently at 118k, supercharged since ~85k. I've had the truck since new, tranny fluid dumped at ~35k, full flush and Toyota fluid at S/C install. Hayden cooler, limited towing of 2 ton boat. Less than 100 miles of towing since S/C. No valve body mods, fluids checked and 'sniffed' almost monthly. Daily driver, no racing or abusive behavior.



Teardown revealed no evidence of heat associated damage. I had a long discussion with the overhaul tech. regarding could'a, should'a, would'as centered mainly around the available valve body modifications and their benefits for prevention of this particular type of failure. He is an instructor at large tech school and 'into transmissions' to put it mildly. His opinion* is maybe, but doubtful. This transmission has a history of the overdrive planetary failure in early V8 Tundras which ATRA attributes to 'hard-parts'.



The thrust washer in the above pic was mentioned as an indication of maybe overdrive engagement under stress. One of the performance changes that I have noticed and was pleased with was the lack of 'gear hunting' between 3rd & 4th since supercharged. With the added power it has seemed to be stable in overdrive and rarely downshifts under mild acceleration. It also shifts up into overdrive sooner than pre-S/C.



This behavior kinda makes sense due to the ECT shift points being determined partially by throttle position and the added horsepower requires less throttle deflection at a given load/demand. I don't think there is a ready mod for that.

There is no absolute answer as to the cause of this failure. Maybe it was just my time for a bank account flush.

Front planetary, front hub, center support, kit with frictions, torque converter, filter, fluids and gear lube = $960. Alldata book hours = 23. After Katrina, Rita, and Allison a salvage is too risky locally.

To pull, teardown and clean this mess 23 hours is probably low...

















The family requests no flowers please. However, donations to the feed a mechanic fund may be made via paypal.
Old 03-27-2007 | 07:30 AM
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Wow, sorry for your loss. It seems something similar happened to Lee's transmission but w/ no supercharger.

Can someone confirm that the '02 trannys are different from the pre-01 trannies b/c the only recent tranny failure prior to '01 was Mark's but was probably due to some aggressive driving.

Are you also stating that from the tech's opinion that a vb upgrade would not have made a difference in the tranny failure?
Old 03-27-2007 | 08:12 AM
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dear god what did you do?? i know thats not from normal driving.. i have factory 02 tacoma at 83k miles and my tranny is in great shape. i drain and fill the tranny every 15k miles or so with valvoline high mileage auto tranny fluid and no issues but i dont off road much nor do i have an SC
Old 03-27-2007 | 08:39 AM
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Man, that sucks. When it's cold in the mornings my 02 doesn't shift into overdrive right away. I only have 78,000 miles. I hope this isn't a preview of what's to come.
Old 03-27-2007 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by ebelen1
Can someone confirm that the '02 trannys are different from the pre-01 trannies b/c the only recent tranny failure prior to '01 was Mark's but was probably due to some aggressive driving.
Mark's tranny failure was friction plates wearing out due to a lack of a VB upgrade, not the planetary OD grinding flat.
Old 03-27-2007 | 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by spage
Man, that sucks. When it's cold in the mornings my 02 doesn't shift into overdrive right away. I only have 78,000 miles. I hope this isn't a preview of what's to come.
No, thats normal.
Old 03-27-2007 | 09:07 AM
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welcome to the club

its a sad club to be a part of.

hope youre ready for a couple grand worth of work
Old 03-27-2007 | 09:11 AM
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˟˟˟˟!!!

Aaron
Old 03-27-2007 | 09:11 AM
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There is a serious weak link (ie planetaries) on those 01-02 auto trannys. It seems like there's about 1 every month or two that pops up. The worst part is that there isn't really anything you can do to avoid it.....nor does it mean that all 01-02's will eventually meet this fate.
Old 03-27-2007 | 09:15 AM
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heres the pics i posted

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...8&postcount=52

and jamie seems to be entirely right.. i did everything right, i changed fluids on time, etc.
Old 03-27-2007 | 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by lee
heres the pics i posted

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...8&postcount=52

and jamie seems to be entirely right.. i did everything right, i changed fluids on time, etc.
I guess that makes me screwed
Old 03-27-2007 | 09:24 AM
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wow...
Old 03-27-2007 | 09:37 AM
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That leaves my stomach in knots. I've got 60K on my '02 and just had the tranny flushed this weekend. I hope I'm one of the lucky ones.
Old 03-27-2007 | 09:51 AM
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Does your tranny actually say "A340F" on the model/serial # plate? My 2001 V6 Taco tranny says Model No. 30-40LE.
Old 03-27-2007 | 10:54 AM
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is this for 4-runners only or for tacomas and 4 runners?? i have a tacoma and use the ˟˟˟˟ out of OD. (on the highway a lot)
Old 03-27-2007 | 11:03 AM
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my understanding is this is on the A340F trannies. That is what I have on my '02 4runner, not sure about Tacoma's.
Old 03-27-2007 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by KGnagey
my understanding is this is on the A340F trannies. That is what I have on my '02 4runner, not sure about Tacoma's.
Have you looked at your serial/model tag?
Old 03-27-2007 | 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by mt_goat
Have you looked at your serial/model tag?
Yes, I checked my door jamb for the code when I saw this was a common issue on the A340F. This is the code printed on my trucks door jamb.
Old 03-27-2007 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by KGnagey
That leaves my stomach in knots. I've got 60K on my '02 and just had the tranny flushed this weekend. I hope I'm one of the lucky ones.
Even though it does seem common it's still a small percentage that this is affecting but it sucks to have the odds out there period.
Old 03-27-2007 | 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by KGnagey
Yes, I checked my door jamb for the code when I saw this was a common issue on the A340F. This is the code printed on my trucks door jamb.
Oh I was talking about the tag on the passinger side of the tranny just above the ATF pan. It has the tranny serial # and the model #. I'll get a pic of it after lunch. Thanks



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