Hey guys,

My transmission finally failed at 197,000 miles. The autotragic has been slipping for awhile and won't go into any gear. I started driving yesterday and felt a big jerk and the car stopped moving.

I want to find a replacement tranny and wanted to know what would be a good area to search. Do you guys think it would be better to get the tranny rebuilt or go to the junkyard and strip one out of another max? What are your opinions?

To those who replaced there own trannies, how much labor is involved. I have done some engine work on my car but never have messd with the tranny except changing the oil. Is their any special tools I need to finish this work? Lastly, what would be the best way to take the tranny out?

 

Trannys are very complex and rebuilding or installation should be left to the pros (of course if you do it enough, you become a pro). I'm just a "shade tree" and many, many years ago I would go to the junk yard, get a tranny and install myself. That was before the front-wheel drive and transaxle days.

In most cases, there is no way to tell how much use a tranny has gone through without breaking it down. If someone is going to do that, they may as well rebuild. That junk yard tranny may have been on Uncle Bud's farm and everytime it rained he may have put 5000 miles of wear on it trying to get it out of the mud!!! I'd go for rebuilding (by a pro). I will be relatively expensive.

Good luck

 

It's great to finally hear from someone who got quite a few miles from their AT tranny!

I keep getting this feeling on this forum that I should expect mine to drop dead any day now...so far 135K and going strong!

...and hoping that it keeps on going, and going, and going... ;o)

 

Ive got 183000 out of my a/t, but its going bye bye. Im in some sh*t right now, cuz I need to keep this car running, its all i got.

 

Do you have the FSM?
it has the instructions on rebuilding it.
and I can sell you the kit to rebuild it.

 

Thanks for your replies guys. I am still not sure what to do with the tranny. I am either looking at getting a low mile tranny (under 100,000), which I could verify, or am going to take it to a rebuilder. But I don't like the idea of getting it rebuilt since it costs a lot of money, and I know that they are going to take the easy route and do a skimpy job. That is why people keep saying that the trannies are never the same after getting rebuilt.

As to internetautomar, I do the original FSM for the max. How much is the rebuild kit? Is it the original one from Nissan? I never attempt to take the tranny apart but how is the work load. I understand that it is not for the average backyard mechanic.

Also, where is a good website that compares rates for used parts. I saw a few months ago but forgot the site.

 

Sometimes I think we lose perspective on these trannies, and this is coming from someone who spent $1800 last year to have one rebuilt. In GENERAL, most people who have theirs fail get at least 150K out of them. Yes, I know some fail sooner, but most people who post here have more than 150K on them. That, to me, is pretty dang good. I don't think you will find a lot of other cars that can boast that. Mine failed at 175K, and even though I know the whole history of mine since new, I bet the tranny fluid was never changed that whole time. I would say getting 175K out of it was not too bad.
Now- having said that, I would NEVER pay to have one rebuilt again. I'd either try it myself or get a used low mileage unit. (or 5 sp swap)..(or VE 5 sp..)

 

I just spent $1800 on my wife's car's tranny (95 S10 Blazer). It had 100K on it. Found out (afterwards) that those tranny's are known for giving it up at about that mileage.

I had kinda hoped for more from my Max! Sounds like I can expect it to keep going, at least for a while. As these other guys have mentioned...it's my daily driver and I pretty much depend on it.

That's got to be one of the most expensive repairs involved with a vehicle. I sympathize with anyone looking at having to get it done.

 

I spent 800 to get my new tranny and have it installed. The same people I got it from they installed it for me. BTW I had 230K on it before it went out. Just to note was that it was only in it's beginning stages of slipping. Meaning that after 1st gear everything was good to go. I also have an AT tranny. Within the next few years I am considering doing the swap if I don't have a beater CRX

 

You should be good to go. The 92-94 SE auto trannies are by far the 'best' of the 3rd gen auto trannies.

 

like $300 shipped no how much faith do you have in yourself?
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