Loose automatic shifter...worth fixing?

Guys,

I've noticed over the last few weeks my automatic shifter in my 2002 PreRunner has gotten loose and rattles more. Some quick googling tells me that is is *probably* some worn out bushings in the mechanism somewhere. So far it hasn't caused any shifting issues or anything like that. I'm essentially trying to determine a few things:

1) Will it lead to bigger issues if I don't get it fixed now? I'm trying to determine whether I should just live with it or will it cause other things to break if I don't get it fixed?
2) Is is something that is easily fixed at home or is it worth taking it to a trusted independent mechanic? My level of skill is: "meh". For reference, I change my own oil/transmission fluid and periodically do some straightforward car audio stuff.
3) Does anyone know the part information off-hand? Or can it be multiple things?

I'm the original owner of this 2002 and it will continue to be my daily driver for the foreseeable future. I would really appreciate your advice--thanks!

 

I'm waiting for someone to give you an answer bro, I have a similar problem. My automatic shift knob is loose and shaky, like real shaky it will slip down to 2nd but still stay in drive it's weird. All gears work, except it doesn't go down to the last gear. Just got the truck like 2 weeks ago as a nice little project truck. Lemme know if you find out anything.

 

Thanks for the reply. I asked here and on the Tacoma subreddit....still nothing. I found a youtube video here that shows what the problem likely is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCY6XyxJjv4

I had the truck slip to second once, but I thought I did it myself on accident (I had my hand resting on the shifter). Essentially, I don't want to fix it at this point unless it is going to cause something else in the shift mechanism to break/bend because of the missing or rotted bushings.

 

The ol'neutral wiggle in drive in an auto

Yeah I have this issue as well, started recently no idea what causes it

 

Heh. Yeah. Assuming it is what I'm thinking it is, I guess these bushings have a lifespan of ~ 16 years.

I'm thinking I may just take it to my mechanic next week and let him fix it. I'll report back here if I do.

 

After seeing the condition of the rest of the bushing on my truck, I would not be surprised is that is the issue

 

one potential problem is the key interlock switch... if the shifter does not depress this little switch due to bushing wear you wont be able to take the key out of the ignition.

 

You can get the replacement bushings from Toyota. If I’m not mistaken I think it takes 4 of them and they are like 2-3$ a piece.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/excessive-play-in-auto-transmission-shifter.428698/

 

Yes! Keep us updated man....@nzbrock helpful link!

 

I definitely will. I'll put a reminder on my calendar for next week. I'm planning to drop it off at my mechanic's on Monday.

Yeah, that is all some great information. I've printed out pictures and part numbers and I'm going to give it all to my mechanic. This might be something I could handle myself, but frankly...I'd rather pay him to do it. It is 110+ degrees here in Texas and I don't want to spend time out in the heat doing this.

 

Know what you mean, I'm in Houston and the heat is suffocating!

 

Yeah, Houston--with the humidity--is the worst. I'm near Waco and we set an all-time high of 114.

 

I tried to fix my loose automatic shifter on my '03 a few years back. I replaced the bushings & the transmission mount. Honestly, it wasn't worth the effort. There was very little improvement. I've just decided to accept the fact that it's a 15 year old truck & there are going to be rattles, squeaks & "looseness". Just goes with the territory of having an older truck. As long as she runs, there isn't much use sweating all that other stuff...

 

Didn't even know I wanted new bushings until I opened this thread. Thanks again tacoma world. Also, if you order these do not let camelback Toyota try to rape you for shipping on 4 bushings. Use someone else. The total at camelback was nearly twice as much.

-$14.00 dollars to the tacoma

 

There are 4 bushings in the shifter on 2 separate pivot bolts, the first one is pretty easy to get to but you have to go a little deeper for the second set. If you're mechanically inclined and willing to take your time it's not a hard job. Shifter felt tight and brand new after I did mine, especially since one of my bushings must have disintegrated and no longer existed.

 

I bought 4 bushings at my local Toyota dealer late last week and I took them to my trusted independent mechanic this morning with some info I'd gathered about this problem from here and elsewhere. When I get it back in a day or two I'll post here again. Thanks for the help.

 

Wow--what a difference. He ended up replacing the top 2 bushings. He said that those had perished but everything else looked fine. The shifter feels SO much better. It is a night and day difference. It feels better than I remember it feeling in years. I'm glad I did it. He charged me an hour's labor ($60), but it was well worth it.

 

I’ll be doing this soon, mines shot too.

 

"Might as well" change the light bulb while in there.