I have 170k on the original trans.

current symptoms:

1. Syncros going in 1st
   
2. Binding in tight turns after driving on highway
   
3. thumping through floor at engage and disengagement of clutch

My thought is:

#1 could be fixed with used transmission

#2 needs viscous coupling, could be fixed with used trans

#3 needs carrier bearing?? replace bearing when swapping trans

 

Is my thought process sound?

Any recos on where to get a "good" used trans?

How to determine if used trans is good?

Will carrier bearing fix symptom #3?

Is there anything else to consider?

 

I have gotten price of $1000 for used trans with claimed 30-35k miles. Is this reasonable?

 

What should it cost to install?

 

Thanks for any thoughts.

Mike

1. Try Uncle Scottys Cocktail, it helped my 1st engage easier. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=920674&highlight=cocktail

if that works, then

2. Replace viscous coupling and

3. Carrier bearing if that is the problem

 

I got a used trans with a bad viscous coupling, had to pay twice to have the trans pulled:mad:

"replace visous coupling" makes it sound easy.

Personally with that kind of milegae, and a bad AWD unit, and a weak first gear synchro, i would go with a used tranny. There is too much money and work to replace the AWD unit, and just eaiser to get a low mileage manual and swap them.

Beofre you do any of that, the viscous coupling doesn just go unless its upset. Check your tires and make sure they are all the same wear and type and inflation.

The thumping can be a tranny mount, or it can be the center carrier bearing or iniversal on the driveshaft.

 

Tha price sounds high for a used tranny. Keep shopping around. If you didnt have the weak synchro i would say fix your tranny. of course you can try the previous suggestion first, see if it solves the problem, then fix the awd.

 

nipper

1. Try Uncle Scottys Cocktail, it helped my 1st engage easier. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=920674&highlight=cocktail

if that works, then

2. Replace viscous coupling and

3. Carrier bearing if that is the problem

 

I got a used trans with a bad viscous coupling, had to pay twice to have the trans pulled:mad:

 

Thanks for the info. I got the details for the cocktail and will do the first chance I have.

 

Whats the best way to determine if the carrier bearing is bad?

 

If I go the route of replace the viscous coupling and carrier bearing, Is the dealer the best place to get them?

used trans with claimed 30-35k miles

Mike

 

if you have any doubts about the honesty of the seller, get the vin# and run a carfax. it may not tell you any thing but if it says last reported mileage 215,000, well then you'll know.

 

at least some of the trannys have the vin etched on to the driver side.

 

john

"replace visous coupling" makes it sound easy.

Personally with that kind of milegae, and a bad AWD unit, and a weak first gear synchro, i would go with a used tranny. There is too much money and work to replace the AWD unit, and just eaiser to get a low mileage manual and swap them.

Beofre you do any of that, the viscous coupling doesn just go unless its upset. Check your tires and make sure they are all the same wear and type and inflation.

The thumping can be a tranny mount, or it can be the center carrier bearing or iniversal on the driveshaft.

 

Tha price sounds high for a used tranny. Keep shopping around. If you didnt have the weak synchro i would say fix your tranny. of course you can try the previous suggestion first, see if it solves the problem, then fix the awd.

 

nipper

 

I am in agreement with what you say on replacing tranny with used. My only concern is, How do I determine if I have got a "Good" used 5 speed?

get one with a warranty. you could try and have yours rebuilt, but i wouldn't go that route unless there's a trusted transmission specialist in town. sometimes manual trans rebuilds are actually economical (rather than auto trans rebuilds, which rarely are). but i'd trust a used transmission more than an unknown mechanic anyday....that's personal preference of course.

 

a warranty is a good thing. if it's fine when you first install it and you give it fresh fluids, it should be fine. subaru transmissions are fairly robust and reliabke, even the automatics i'm comfortable installing used units in, but it is inherently more risky than a brand new unit, but that's why it's cheaper too.

 

you could try posting on the boards here or calling some yards, it's nice to get one out of wrecked vehicle, that way you know the car was totalled and not sent to the yards for a bad transmission.

i have a transmission that may be of use to you. i'll send you a PM. feel free to contact me via PM or email.

It's part of the risk of buying a used tranny. Remeber that when a car graveyard gets a car its because there is something wrong with the car.

If the car is running when it comes in they can do some testing. If the car is low mileage they make assumptions based on that mileage (which are usually safe assumptions). The best you can do is get a yard that stands behind its warrenty.

Like said above, if it was a regular manual, it may be better to get a rebuilt one, but throw in the AWD thats another grand.

 

nipper

i bought a used motor for my dad's explorer. the car was 11 years old and had 115k miles. ford wanted 4500$ for rebuild. i bought one from a nearby salavage yard for 850$, they deliverd it to the mechanic, (500$ or 600$ to install), and warrantied parts and LABOR, for some period, i don't remember how long. well the engine was good so we never had to find out if the warranty was good.

 

apparently good used parts eliminates the need for a good warranty.

 

we sold truck the next year, when my dad died. i wish i'd kept it.

uncle scotty's cocktail sucks, dont waist your money...especially if your car gets cold