New transmission needed?

[mark4000]

guys,

Have posted here in the past and looking for some opinons. Read below from what I posted on another ranger forum as well.

According to Aamco here in Atlanta, they say I need a new tranny on my 1997 5 speed mazda B4000(137,000miles). I took the car in after having difficulty getting it in gear(mainly 1st and 2nd but really all of them). I thought it was the clutch but really ever since owning the car for over 12 years it has at times been difficult getting it into first and sometimes second; and getting exponentially worse over the last 15,000miles over 3 years( was really notchy and hard to get in gear and just knowing the a clutch was going to be needed in the future). The other day it just got really bad(could barely make it home) and the clutch fluid was low so filled it(maybe 1 ounce): then bled it next day and still the same. So I took it in.

Aamco would give me a new or reman one(cant remember what they said) with 3 year warrenty for $2,800. does that sound reasonable? Should I get a second opinion? This place does have a good reputation and the guy said he did not want to do the clutch and then it still not work right.....after his expierience of 30 years he felt this was the right way to go.

I did change the fluid with mercon 5 a few years back maybe at 120,000miles and it was still nice and red.

any opinons, suggestions would be great....

Mark

 

[mark4000]

Aamco came up with manufacturer with a reman tranny installed for $2200 with a 18month 18,000mile warranty

 

[Road Angels]

shop around your putting about half of what the truck is worth in it, also if it was high miles when you got it the clutch may have been worn and dragging causing hard shifts or even like on mine I have to put it in 1st gear after shes warmed up before I come to a complete stop or I have to shut the engine to put it in gear, then start it up again Iam cheap so i leave it this way not adviced though, if you have one of the LOw Mileage Japanese engine and trans shops in you area try them, I have had good luck with there stuff for 74% less cost

 

[wizkid00104]

If you are mechanically inclined at all, the hardest part of swapping the transmission is getting all the bolts of the engine. If you feel capable of doing a swap yourself, I'd say shop the local junkyards. You could score a nice one for probably $150-$300. Make sure you get one for 4.0L. There are differences on the bell housing. The transmission isn't very heavy... you, a buddy, and a floor jack can get it out.

Just to give you an idea, I rebuilt my 94 transmission. The kit with all the bearings and synchro rings was $190ish.

Here are some rebuilt transmissions on ebay with free shipping. They come in at $750 ($650 + $100 core charge).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/90-94-Ford-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item565892b41d&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/90-94-Ford-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item565d2cf3d9&vxp=mtr

The difference you're paying would be for the labor of someone to do it plus the warranty plus the clutch. You have to decide if you are willing to pay that difference.

My personal opinion is that number is a little high. But if they will replace the tranny with a warranty, the clutch, slave cylinder, the pilot bearing (which can be a bitch to remove), and machine the flywheel true again for that price, I'd say that's not too bad.

Good luck

 

[woodyedmiston]

A little too high? It sounds like you have a 5 spd manual. A wrecking yard trans, a couple of bills for clutch and pressure plate and you are back in action if u can do the work yourself. You are paying mark up to the trans rebuilder, the dealer then, blue book for labor. Yes get some second opinions....

 

[mark4000]

Also, my car year is a 97.

that price does include clutch, slave and all the bearings etc.; rear seal as well.

Road angels- mine is too the point I would have to turn the car off every stop. It has become really bad, even after getting it warm there is no difference. I have put right at 100,000 on it since I have owned it.

I am still not sure if it is the tranny and it is not just the clutch but like I said this is a reputable Aamco and I don't think they are hunting for work or looking to rip people off. Now they could be wrong and I could let them do the clutch only but they think that would not fix it.

Wiz, I am thinking of doing it on my own( I have done quite a bit of work on my two saabs-including a clutch). But with me doing the clutch I could have saved around $5-600 for the whole shebang, but I decided to just take it in; now I could save more than $900, especially if I track down some cheaper clutch part suppliers.

I did track down a remaned tranny at a reputable shop for $950. So all clutch parts and tranny for around $1200. Or I could just do the clutch and take a risk on it not being the tranny. This place also said there are 3 different kinds of tranny out there with different components and what not. Is that true? He has two of the three and he would have to get the # on the side of the tranny to confirm.

We'll see. I do have most of the tools, a jack, but may need some extensions for the top bolts.

thanks for all the help. I will ask around but when the shifting started getting bad a few years back I asked a local mom and pop shop that most of my family uses and they said around $900-$1000 for the clutch alone.

thanks,

Mark