Quote:
Originally Posted by JZeke
Sounds like you're due for a 2nd gear rebuild.
Yea I know, this isn't helpful you might be thinking! What cheap options are there instead? Well, I bought what I thought was a fine, well-maintained higher miles '03 S for a decent price. Passed PPI in the heat of summer with flying colors. Except that heat was masking a terrible secret: 2nd gear was on its way out.
I had all your symptoms, and they only got worse as temps dropped and I drove the car more. Got to the point where I was skip-shifting from 1st to 3rd every drive. Combined with a leaking seal where the shifter cable/pivot enters the gearbox (which wasn't present at purchase since the car had sat for too long) I knew something had to be done. Took it to one local St Louis area shop who didn't even comment on it, then found a better one who took the box off and concluded it needed to go to GBox for a 2nd gear rebuild.
$5300 later ($440 shipping to/from STL to GBox in Erie CO) and I have a fresh 'box with: - New 2nd Gear
- New 1-2 Shift Sleeve
- New Pinion Cone Ring
- Shift Arm Repair Kit (PO must've ham-fisted the heck out of the gear!)
- Gbox Updated Detent Kit
- New Gaskets/Seals/Hardware (bolts etc)
Today the car drives well, but 2nd is stiff when cold and can't be rushed but when warm is buttery smooth. I hate to say it but your needs are probably similar, but you may be lucky and only need the 2nd gear and associated parts on the shaft. Figure closer to $3800 if that's the case. Mine needed love. |
did some research. looks like a used trans is cheaper than a rebuild. what can i do when i put it in to prevent this from happening again?