Gearbox change or rebuild?

[Jezza_hr]

Alright guys, I'm looking for the most cost effective way around this. I changed over my gearbox oil and shifter bushing to try and help out with my dodgy synchros earlier in the year but the problem persists on such a level that i'm getting really frustrated.

I'm thinking about the possibility of a change of the gearbox (any others than the T50 that is recommended?) or a rebuild of the current one.

I'm not too confident on a rebuild as I have no idea where to start, although if it's the cheapest and best option I may consider it if I can get a little help. I would be grateful for any advice put forward.

[Ivan141]

Rebuild kits are in the 400 dollars and upwards pricerange for a somewhat comprehensive overhaul I believe, that's just the parts, there is a lot of difficult work to it too I believe.
Your best bet would be to get yourself a spare T50.. plenty of them on this side of the pond, I bet there are a few around in the UK as well.
Over here they go for between 50 and 150 euro's.

[Jezza_hr]

Thanks Ivan, much appreciated. I guess it's just a case of looking out for a good example

[adomz]

might be a stupid question, but, whatever...

what other totoya's came with a similar gearbox?

cheers, adam

[Dorito86]

Celica RA65 and some weird Daihatsu (Charmant) if I'm not mistaken. Maybe someone else can provide more detail.

[adomz]

thnx anyway!!


adam

[Red]

Jezza, even in the States we have limited options for the tranny. If you are going to keep the car, the only real option is to either rebuild your tranny (if you know it has been taken care of and is generally a good start) or to gamble on a junkyard tranny and rebuilt it, then swap it in. The parts and labor are the same for both, the only difference is that one way you have to pay the junkyard, the other way you have to pull your car off the road for a while.

Actually swapping the tranny is not a cheap job, in the US a Toyota dealer would charge almost $1200, about twelve hours of labor, just to swap them with no repairs. Independent shops still want half of that. If you have no lift to raise the car...it can be a long hard job, so it is best to think about inspecting or replacing the clutch, etc. while you are in there and it is staring at you, readily accessible. Since there is so much time invested in the swap, I would advise against simply buying a junkyward transmission, or one without a solid warranty, and having it installed.

Rebuild kits are apparently only available from Toyota. Welcome to the joys of owning a "classic" car.<G>

[Dorito86]

Red Wrote:about twelve hours of labor, just to swap them with no repairs

It took my backyard mechanic (with lift) 4 hours including a lunch brake. Some kind of misunderstanding here maybe...

[Red]

No misunderstanding, the dealers charge "book time" regardless of how long it actually takes. The labor guides tell them it will take at least one whole day, based on the factory procedures. I checked with several.

Of course "factory" probably includes steps that most mechanics don't take, like applying a lubricant or locking compound to every bolt, and using a torque wrench instead of a plain socket set.

I'm sure that's why some independent shops here also do the job in half the time a dealer charges for. Six hours would be the same as your four hours, given the difference between any two mechanics.

Factory procedure for changing a tire: Use a torque wrench for the lug nuts. Ever see a dealer, or a tire shop, that does that? <G> It just doesn't happen in the US, even though every car maker has put out advisories saying that incorrect torquing of wheel nuts is causing rotors to warp and other wheel damage. Of course, that still doesn't stop the dealers from charging book time--even if they don't follow the book.

I try not to let mechanics touch my car. I can't afford the guys who really understand what a car needs for the long-term owner.

[jamiemirror]

Welcome here Red, I know your signature from Club4AG forum :-)