2003 Gearbox Replacement, How To Find Out Which Is Compatible?

November 1, 2015

Hi Good Folks

The drive bearing on my 2003 Corolla has recently failed and is making a grinding noise in any gear above 1st, seems to be a common fault. I've done a little research and think that a replacement/used gearbox would be the best fix option. I understand that although its a 1.4 T3 VVTI there are different engine/gearbox variations? Could anyone point me in the right direction as to find out which gearbox's are compatible for a replacement? would a 1.6 engine use the same box? could I use the gearbox from a 1998 VVTI engine? Does the engine number give any details about which box I could use? Sorry for the many questions as this is new ground for me, any help would be warmly received, many thanks in advance

November 1, 2015

best way look for a car that matches yours

ie

first engine size and code 1.4 4zz-fe I believe

I would stick with same car shape so from 2002-2007 e12 shape

I take it its manual

November 1, 2015

Thanks avensisd4d786, appreciate the reply - it is a manual and I think it is a 4zz-fe engine, or at least all the searching i've done online would suggest so, thanks for confirming! As gearbox failure seems to be a common fault, replacements - even second hand breaker ones i've found are £350+ ouch! I found a box for a 1.6 engine which is a lot cheaper so was wondering if it might fit - its a big risk to take without knowing 100%. Thanks again!

November 1, 2015

I just realised that the 1.6 engine code is 3ZZ-FE,

I guess there would be no problem with the drive ratio for 1.4 engine, but wonder if anyone could confirm if the fitment was the same to the engine or if the drive shafts were different? :ermm: :help2:

November 1, 2015

Might help, ... the Haynes Manual covers the 1.4 / 1.6 petrol models and 2.0 Diesel for the 2002-2007 range.

The section for the 5 speed manual gearbox does not give any details of any differences between those three models, so it implies its the same box used on all three models.

Also no mention of any differences in the sections covering the clutch, driveshafts etc

Think it will be worth a bit more checking to confirm that is correct, if you have a good 1.6 box available,

Alternative - have you gone to your local Clutch/Gearbox/Transmission specialists and got a quote from them to repair you old box if its in otherwise good condition.

Be false economy not to replace the clutch assembly at the same time.

November 1, 2015

2.0 diesel corolla will not fit the petrols, its a much bigger box however if its from the 114bhp engine it will fit the avensis with same bhp.

I got a reg of eBay for a 2003 corolla 1.4 manual and the part number for the 1.4 box does cross reference with any other models even the e11.

play safe and stick to a 1.4 e12 gearbox.

old codger has give a good tip with regarding the clutch best to do it when box is being changed as you only should pay for clutch parts.

another tip; type in ebay/gumtree "breaking corolla" then sort by nearest first this should bring up more corollas near you that being broke for parts.