Hello,

I usually post on the 5th generation forum but one of my co-workers has a 94 Max with 160K miles and her tranny went today on the way to work. (Car won't go in reverse and won't go over 25 MPH).

The shop near our office where she left it wants $1600 to "fix" the tranny. (Sorry but she didn't know any details of exactly whats wrong with the tranny)

Any suggestions on what a reasonable cost to replace/repair tranny failures in a 94 max????

Is it better to repair or just replace a bad tranny?

Any good shops in South Jersey?

Thanks

 

auto or manaul?

 

had my 92auto tranny rebuilt for $800 (labor, parts, torque converter)

 

rebuild. don't take it to just anyone to rebuild, have someone VERY reputable (not necessarily a chain/ big name place) do it. Look into import performance transmissions, and level 10 for a simple rebuild job and a good warranty. Also, I suggest getting a tranny cooler soon after the rebuild. It preserves the life of the tranny. g/l.

 

If it's an auto replace it.

If it's a 5-speed replace it.

Both are weak.

 

Why is a replacement better than a rebuild and what's the price difference?

That's the first I've heard the 5-spd is weak.

 

Its an auto. So I should I suggest she rebuild or replace??? She wants to do this with the least amount of cash and doesn't care about any "performance" upgrade

Any good tranny shops in South Jersey?

 

A rebuild is going to be anywhere from about $1200 to $2000, depending on who you have do it. I don't know where you would get an actual "replacement", unless you order it from the dealer...I would imagine the cost on that would be way out of hand. Only other thing I can think of is to try and get ahold of a low mileage used one. Problem is, on 10 year old plus cars, finding a low mileage one might be pretty difficult.

 

That has got to be the smartest reply I've heard. Ever.

Again, for a reliable vehicle, rebuild it *at a reputable transmission shop*. (See above definition of reputable)
If she's looking to sell it a few weeks to a couple of months down the road and doesn't want to invest too much in it, buy a junkyard replacement with "low miles". "Low miles" are in quote because unless you personally pull it from the donor vehicle, you can't be certain.

Whatever option you choose, good luck.

 

Thanks....

She had it towed (for free) from the shop near our office to a tranny shop. They said something about the "casing" and "the drum" were bad. (No idea what they refer to)Cost of repair is yet to be determined.

She asked my opiniion if a 94 Max with 160K miles is worth savings and I told her that with proper care these cars car reach 250K miles or more. Agreed?

 

the case is what the tranny housing is (the part you actually see)
the drum is internal, and holds the clutchs

 

Which means they are going to charge you out the a$$, because those are what the rebuilders call the "hard parts", and when I had mine rebuilt, it was like- "well, it will be x amount if we just need to replace the clutches, but if the HARD PARTS are bad, the it's x plus whatever"

Maybe it's not the same up there, and hopefully not. I'll just be interested to see what their quote is.

I don't want to discourage you, but I spent $1800 to rebuild mine in my GXE with 175K on it. The car has been in the family basically since new, and I know ALL the history on it. It is in excellent shape interior and exterior wise, and at the time that's reason I went ahead and did it. Now, with about 190K, I'm not so sure it was wise. Mine needs front end work, exhaust work, and probably injector work. Haven't even put ONE mod on it, cause I'm too busy keeping it running. And this is on a car that was NEVER abused.

Yes, I know that these things are all part of maintaining a car, and that's not really my issue. Mainly, i'm just saying to weigh your options and see what else you might do before dropping that kind of money in it. Sorry for the

 

btw, i got caught in the "we really can't tell what's wrong until we tear into it" trap...which is true...but you have to pay $400 just to get in, and if you decide not to go through with it, then you're stuck with a $800 bill to put it back together without **** getting done. They have to come up with a ceiling cost, above which they would be breaching. I say $1200 is a good ceiling if you choose to go with them. And it has to include new parts and proof of purchase of new parts and a healthy warranty. (sorry, i now drive hard bargains after I was severely "violated" by cottman)



That's true about it reaching 250k. but like the other guys said, you have to maintain other things for it to last that long. The engine will EASILY outlast everything else on it. But at this point and being realistic, she should be ready to fork over at least $1500 - $2000 which is pretty much the value of the car.

http://importperformancetransmission...ssanauto.shtml

http://www.levelten.com/store/import...ges/nissan.htm

If I were to rebuild my tranny through a shop, I'd go through the hassles of shipping it to either of the above guys and tack on a good warranty for however long she's thinking about keeping the car. Then you have to find someone to put it in.

Granted that seems like a lot of money, but when you start weighing options...sell the car as-is for what, $1000? then she has to shell out an additional 3/4grand for another used car, the history of which she doesn't know....Or fix it as it is and have peace of mind concerning trannys for a while.

It's a tough call not being an enthusiast and all, but she really has to weigh her options seriously.

Oh btw, do not use cottman.

 

I just got my car back today from Bobs Transmission in Winnipeg. It cost me $3500 for a compleate rebuild on my auto Tranny in my 94. That allso included a boot that was cracked. I didn't mind paying the price as they are the best in Manitoba and come very very well recomended. Now all in all including what I paid for the car i'v spent $8500. Still the best ride i'v ever had

 

:jawdrop: $3500?
what does that translate too in USD?
that's new car money to me

 

US $2,774.23.... Ouch! What did you get with that? A lifetime warranty?

 

My tranny on GXE 91 looks like it may go too. Hard shifts 1- 2 & sometimes soft shifts too. Sellin the car to buy bros 240 coupe 92'. BTW My bro's buyin 5 speed max 92 w/ 150 km. See ya max.....hello 240.

 

that would be hello and goodbye all in one post

 

Came with a 4 year waranty. This was a full rebuild. The housing was totaly messed up not only did I have metel flakes I had chunks. I couldn't even get it to shift out of 1st gear. Oh yea and they detailed the car

 

with a 4 year warranty that price ain't bad then

 

Thanks for all your input.
She decided to fix the car since a new or used car would cost much more.

I don't know all the details, but it will cost $1700 to re-build some aspect of the tranny and she needs "new parts" for the "front axle". (suspect from her description the CV joints are shot and need replacement). So, total of $1700 may not be unreasonable.

If I get more specific information of what the $1700 is getting her, I will post an update.

Thanks again for all your input

 

If the $1700 includes 2 new axles installed, then that's a good deal.

And on the other tranny- a 4 year warranty is unheard of around here. But I wish I had one on mine!

 

Wow!!! I didn't realize that those X-RAY glasses you can buy from the back of comic books actually worked. I don't know how else they could tell the drum was bad, since you can't see it without taking the tranny apart. She should RUN screaming from those jacka$$es.

 

warranty. that's the one thing you do not ever want to leave out. Axles are like $60 each.