2002 Toyota forerunner automatic 2WD with 290k makes a loud grinding noise when up to speed and you take your foot off the gas. No noise while the gas pedal is engaged. Noise goes away when shifting to neutral. No other transmission issues. No slipping, no hesitation, no shudder.
Bought this car for our son on Facebook and had a shop check and change transmission and differential fluid with no indication of problems.
My husband seems convinced that it is the torque converter, and is planning to just let him drive it until the transmission goes out and rebuild it then.
When I look up torque converter issues, I don't feel like this really sounds like what's going on. I think he is basing that on the fact that the sound disappears in neutral.
He's a smart guy and I don't want to make him feel like I'm questioning him… But I just want reassurance that this sounds reasonable as the problem, and that it is safe/a good idea to just let this sound continue until the transmission goes out? 🤣
Grinding when coasting is a drivetrain issue. Most likely the rear axle. Possibly transmission
Bought this car for our son on Facebook
Always test drive before buying.
let him drive it until the transmission goes out and rebuild it then.
That's incredibly dumb and irresponsible. What if it gives out while going 80mph down the freeway? What if it locks up the wheels?
Not to mention, you could be turning a $100 job into a $10k job (or vehicle write off). You're not rebuilding the transmission on a 25 year old high mileage car.
