Loud Transmission, please help.

[DeanMoriarty]

Hi there... I'm new here. I tried scouring the forums but cannot find anyone having the same problem that I am. I have a 93 Ranger, 2wd, 4 cylinder, 5-speed.
A few weeks ago I noticed that when coasting in gear, instead of the low grumble I'm used to hearing, I hear a high-pitched whine. I thought it was coming from under the truck, but it's hard to tell. As soon as I slightly press the gas pedal, the whining disappears, or at least becomes almost inaudible. The noise stays consistent with my speed, and the gear I'm in; If I downshift to 3rd at 45mph it is very loud... At 30mph in 3rd it's hardly noticeable. It makes this sound through all the gears, but is loudest in 1st through 3rd. Again, it only makes this noise when coasting in gear, without the clutch pressed down, and not during acceleration.
I should note also... around the time the noise started I'd had trouble getting it into gear, mostly 1st through 3rd and R. I haven't had a problem with this since. I also recently changed the serpentine belt... Not sure if this would affect anything. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Update...
Agh. I took the thing up to the local mechanic, not a transmission shop, that's the only place I could get to look at it today. One guy I described the problem to told me it was a "bearing" and it was "no big deal." I asked them to lift it and check the fluid, it looked as if there was something leaking on the transmission to me. Turns out the transmission is very low on lubricant.... it took nearly two quarts to fill it, not sure how much it holds. The guy told me if the noise doesn't subside after driving 10 miles or so, that the tranny is shot and will have to be replaced. Does this sound right? (I know... I'm an idiot for not getting it checked out right away.) He told me it looked like the shift plate seal was leaking. Any telling how long it might last in this shape? I need to buy a little time before I have the $$$ to fix it. Will it be more expensive if it goes all the way out... or do you guys think a rebuild would be possible before that? I'm not even sure it's worth the money to fix... Maybe I'll just try to find another decent priced Ranger and keep this one for parts. This sucks.

 

[MAKG]

Yep, I concur. The transmission IS damaged. The question is, how bad is it? No one can tell without tearing the transmission down.

It might last 5 years, or it might last 5 minutes. If the noise quiets with proper fluid, the former is more likely, but NOT guaranteed.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Nah... I've driven it about 15 miles and it sounds as God-awful as ever. I'm not holding out much hope. I'm going to just try to take it real easy on it for the next week until my tax refund comes in. I'm pretty much resigned to having to spend some money... My only decision is whether to fix it, or buy something else. Can anyone give me the price range on having the thing fixed or replaced? I've heard that if you have to pull the tranny, it's better to just go ahead and replace everything... Is this true and would it cost a lot more? Thanks for the reply MAKG.

 

[metalmacguyver]

for parts alone, a junkyard tranny will be 200-300 and a remanufactured unit will be 700-800. then add in the labor and your getting to close to the blue book value on your truck. since your in there its a good idea to do a clutch too so thats another 200 in parts.

 

[mhughes165]

luckily if ur even slightly mechanically inclined i would suggest doin this urself, it really isnt as hard as its made out to be, just follow what a haynes or chiltons manual says todo and its hard to **** it up

 

[racsan]

i spent 1100 for a rebuilt trans 3 years ago, probly another 200 in clutch parts ( i changed it all, disc, pressure plate,throwout bearing, slave cyl) had quite a time getting the transfer case to seperate from the transmission. most of the bolts holding the Y-pipe to the manifolds broke off, so i had to drill and tap them. not a fun job. on top of it all, i did the job in febuary in a drafty unheated barn. i had lost 2nd gear altogether. if i had lost 5th i would have just drove it as a 4 speed for the rest of its life.
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