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Toyota 5-speed Problem

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Ah yes, then in that case the shifter seat in my box is/was black. What I extracted is worn even thinner than that shown in the image and if I didn't know better I would have assumed to merely have been a flat rubber washer with nothing remaining of the "spigot". I assume that the seat's thinness allows the shifter to bottom out or engage the slider in some manner that was preventing 4th's being selected.

I expect to get the new part Monday afternoon and hopefully reinstallation will be a snap. Let's hope no damage was done.
 
Dorman makes a kit. On Amazon search for "toyota shifter bushing kit".
Also quite a few results from eBay search "toyota shifter seat":

screenshot.1560.jpg
 
The Dorman kit is also available through Summit Racing https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-924-258/overview/

Michael, all of the shifter seats have a black base. The actual "seat" can be one of several colors, but the most common is green and that is what the Dorman kit appears to replicate. I suspect that is what your NAPA store is getting for you. For the record, most Toyota dealers can get a part like this from their regional warehouse in 1 or 2 days.

By the way, I have never seen one worn down to just the backing. You might want to think about where all that missing material has gone. I would highly recommend a trans drain and refill. While you are at it, lube the shifter, shifter seat and bushing with GEAR OIL prior to shifter installation. Do not slobber it up with grease of unknown compatability like the guy in the video.
 
Ok, I have just spent some time going through my parts guide and have found several listings for the shift seat. I really don't know why they are not listed under each application, just a select few. If you want to have a Toyota parts department look up the shifter seat and/or the plastic shift bushing, ask for one of these applications:

1996 Tacoma, 2 wheel drive, Page 33-12 Shift lever and retainer
1988 Pickup, 2 wheel drive , Page 33-12 Shift lever and retainer
2002 4Runner Page 33-12 Shift lever and retainer
 
Craig--

Thanks for your continuing help. Much of the "missing material" was lodged in and around the base of the shifter, yet when I drained the transmission nothing came out and the old oil actually appeared very clean. Though gear oil does not accumulate visible contaminants such as soot, etc. as does engine oil viewing the used oil in sunny conditions can be alarming.

I have been using MT90 in the Healey and both Elvas for a number of years and am convinced of its superiority to "engine oil". It provides quicker and more positive shifting, esp. in the Elva MG transmissions.
 
I took a better look today at what I previously took to be the remains of a black shifter seat. I likened it to a black rubber washer and in fact that is what it is (see picture)! All of the edges and surfaces are in perfect condition and if there ever was a shifter seat it is entirely gone except for the fine black debris around and under this washer.

As I said in my original post I bought this transmission as having been rebuilt and I have never had the shifter out since then, so I can only assume that whoever did the rebuild for some reason put this washer under the seat.

In any case I hope to get and install the new seat tomorrow. Fingers crossed!
 

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At 1:30 PM I picked the part up at the NAPA store.
At 2:10 PM I had everything together, started the engine and went through all gears in the garage--All seemed right.
I just came back in from a 5 minute ride during which I ran up and down through the gears. The shifting feels a bit notchy (though perhaps I got used to the feel of things as they approached and achieved failure mode) but in any case I am happy to report that all is well.

Both to the folks who posted great advice and to those who simply tolerated my many queries and progress THANK YOU!!!!

 
Michael - thank you for originating this valuable thread. With a clear title, it should be easy to find in the future for others with the same problem.

As an aside, my Toyota trans seems to have picked up a vibe from this thread. It seems harder to get in gear than it was, say, a couple of days ago...
 
When the issue first arose I posted the same message to this forum as well as The 100 Austin-Healey Experience and the autox email list. I got one response on AHX from Patrick who also posted here and only a couple of email replies. Without denigrating other resources I must say that had I not gotten all of the great help I received on BCF I would, at the very least, have wasted a lot of time removing the interior and probably the shift tower in order to get to the shifter base. Luckily enough guys with specific experience and knowledge came to the rescue and showed me the way.

Again, big thanks to all and my wife and I plan to kick off the New Year tomorrow with a ride in the Healey. BTW the replacement shifter base is green in color. I still cannot come up with an explanation as to what was the purpose of the black flat soft rubber washer I found under the gearshift, with no remains whatsoever of anything green in color or resembling a worn shifter base.

Happy 2019 to all.
 
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