I didn’t want this to get lost in the myriad of other senseless posts I have going on here, so I wanted to start this for some exposure. If you haven’t read about it, I had some drivetrain issues last season which caused me to drive my car very little, and even worse, refrain from beating on it like it was made for (which f’in blows). I’ve managed to get to a point where I was able to find some time to get the original tranny out of the car, cracked open and ready for repair. (Josh, yours is still in the possibility of reassembly phase) I also like to be able to “know” how things work instead of just paying someone to make it right. Certain degree of pride involved. Here’s my problem.
I never claimed to be even vaguely familiar with any transmission, let alone a 5 speed, so I need to ask for some guidance and advice from someone who has some knowledge. I want to be able to drive this thing this summer without concern about spraying parts all over whatever drag strip, road course, or interstate I happen to be abusing. I also don’t want to guess at this and put it all back together just to hammer first gear out of the hole and go backwards at 60 mph. I have a heated, dry shop. A working toilet and sink, microwave, music, and refrigerator stocked with whatever chilled beverage you’d like. I’m not asking for you to put it back together, simply to look at what I have and make possible suggestions as to what the cause of the problem may be. I’d also like to pull the trigger on whatever parts I may need (as they are usually not available locally) to get this thing back together before September.
I’d like to think I do whatever I can to help members on here and hoping that mentality is shared by others. If anyone thinks they can help, please get in touch and let me know. I’d be forever grateful.
I’ve only seen a few of these mystical tranny guys, and each visit ends up costing me lots of money. I fear they are a rare bread, created out of shear insanity.
I know this doesn’t help, but good luck. Try some local offroaders, I know a lot of guys here in Texas that build buggies know their shit when it comes to gears.
I wish I knew more as I owe you a favor…but I will say to anyone with knowledge…Andy is a great guy and he. Certainly does a tremendous amount to help others on here.
I’d love to dive in and help but even though I’ll tackle most projects as a learning experience I have never had the balls to split a transmission case. I’ve also heard there are some specialized tools for getting it all back together correctly.
My suggestion when it comes to transmissions, especially ones you want to beat on, is take it to a pro.
Appreciate the input. I just look at things and move them (especially the input shaft) and say, “hmmmm… there’s some play there. Is that normal, or is that something that needs attention”. Like a monkey plating with an I Phone.
I’d be more than happy to lend a hand. I’m not a transmission specialist by any mean; but I do know my way around a service manual and I have some nice machinist tools.
I appreciate it. I’ll see what shakes out. I have a factory manual for dis-assmebly and re-assembly, problem is I don’t know what’s causing the “whine” and the service manual won’t tell me that. I don’t think it’s the throw out bearing as it’s virtually brand new, but it could be something internal in the tranny, and I don’t want to tear another one apart if I don’t have to…believe me. Thanks for the offer. Could always drink and talk about it with no progress. That’s cool too.
I’m always in for beer. Unfortunately, I haven’t really thumbed through the whole previous thread; so sorry If I ask something that was previously mentioned.
It’s hard for me to say off hand what your issue could be without experiencing it. Typically TOB whine is only experienced when the clutch pedal is depressed, otherwise it’s something in the drivetrain. Worn bearings or gears are likely culprits. Have you recently checked the fluid level in the transmission? One quick solution to tell if it’s your transmission is by throwing a heavy shock proof oil in it to see if that deadens the whine. If it does, the new oil should buy you sometime while you buy the basics for rebuild such as: New synchros, synchro springs, shift forks, shift sleaves, roll pins, bearings etc. If a gear is chipped or cracked you can buy individual gears and re-use the originals.
In neutral, whine is apparent. Push in the clutch, it goes away. Also audible in all gears during driving, less so in higher gears, higher speeds. Check my thread for the complete story. Already upgrading / repairing the other tranny with new bearings, synchros, shift forks, etc. Be warned, there’s two tranny’s here in this, don’t get confused.
Do you feel any excessive vibration in the clutch pedal with it depressed? If not, then you can effectively rule out the TOB.
The whole neutral whine makes me feel like the input shaft bearing is shot on the original transmission.
If you are reassembling another transmission out of the car, then we should be in good shape granted the specs are followed in the service manual. As long as the gears look good, and all the other parts are new… you should be golden with this new one. As I mentioned previously; I have some dial gauges, feeler gauges, and a magnetic base If you want to make sure the parts are within spec.
No vibrations to speak of. I already bought a new input shaft bearing. I feel “play” in the shaft, but not sure if it’s normal. I just woukd rather not tear it all apart if it’s just the input shaft. If you wanna stop down for your 2 cents, I’m game.
I have only rebuilt automatic transmissions. I actually enjoy it because you stay pretty clean. My only advice is to make sure everything is super clean when you put things back together. on the SHO transmissions even a very small amount of dirt makes it a complete whore to reassemble. I know that sounds obvious but your clean rags will have all kinds of shit on them when it comes time to put things back together so keep fresh rags around when final assembly is being done to wipe down your already clean parts before you oil them and pop them in.
Hortanica or MKE or whatever name he goes by might be able to help you if he’s in town. He disassembled 3 broken DSM trannies and reassembled to make one good one. And those were AWD so had a few more parts than what your working with. Send him a PM. Not sure how often he checks here.
