For those of you who have been following my transmission saga on my 90 SE Auto, here's the latest and I'm hoping you can give me some advice:

Original complaint: driving along, moderate acceleration, 35mph, engine goes ZING!! like I suddenly dropped it into neutral. Then, no forward or reverse gears.

Pulled the transmission, and have found that the inner splines (the furthest into the TC) on the Torque Converter were completely stripped (but the splines on the transmission are fine -- apparently the TC has softer metal to prevent damage to the transmission splines).
At this point, I could just replace the Torque Converter for $130. However, I'm worred about shavings in the transmission.

When I drained the tranny fluid, the plug (magnetic) was covered with small shavings. The fluid didn't have any obvious shavings in it at all (I still have the fluid and might run a magnet through it to further verify this). So... where did the shavings go? Into the torque converter?

If I just replace the TC, then what about the transmission filter? It's supposedly a "lifetime" filter, and does not get clogged like normal filters, but....? The transmission filter is internal, and this may raise more problems then it's worth by opening up the transmission.

Anyone else have experience or advice with this? I have a deposit on a used (150,000 miles) transmission at a local yard for $500, but if I can get away with just replacing the torque converter, then I will.

 

- been following, cannot but listen...
- generally: do not use tranny with possible metallic bits inside.
- 150k 500$ tranny does not sound too good solution to me. But what do I know...

 

i have a 65k tranny and torque converter that you can buy. we pulled it out when we did a 5 speed swap. its out of a 91. PM me if your interested.

 

add an in-line trans filter.

I'd also personally do the converter and maybe a flush if you like gambling

 

I don't think that used tranny is such a great deal.

The valve body has a 'pilot filter' in it, you can remove it and flush it out (no need to buy a new one), but if you choose to clean it you will need all new gaskets for the valve body, also USE THE FSM and study it before you go taking it apart.


You'd probably be better off doing the torque convertor and leaving the main tranny filter alone if you cannot get to it easily. I don't think there are big chunks of metal in there, its all fine material that was slowly machined off.

edit: are you doing the work yourself? or is a shop doing it.

 

I'm doing the work myself. The first shop I called did say it was "probably" the torque converter, but they quoted $1,200. for the job -- "if" the rest of the transmission was OK.

Aamco wanted $2,600. for the job. Not that I would go to them, but it works great as a motivator when I'm ripping my aging biceps to shreds trying to break loose transmission mounting bolts that I can't get to with the air gun!

I've learned a lot doing this job, and, if I get it all back together and it actually runs (I'm hoping to get another year out of her), then it will be a rousing success. While I'm in there, I'm also replacing axle seals, LH CV, power steering rack mount bushings, and I'm going to tackle the rear exhaust manifold studs. If I can find a cheap aftermarket Y-Pipe I may put that on, too. Lots more room to work under there with the transmission out!

So, in September when my students ask me what I did with my summer vacation, I'll have a productive answer. Well, that, and camping, and a few adult beverages on the veranda!

 

Another thing you can replace while at it, is the solenoid pack, its only around $100 and is known to fail, its got all the shift soleoids, line pressure solenoid and temp sensor built into it. Also there are two nylon bushings on the shift cable that tend to break and fall off the car, one is where the cable meets the tranny and the other is above the cat. convertor heat shield.

Good luck, and update us when you get further.

 

How could you say that? Getting a used tranny is the cheapest and most reliable way to go. I can't tell you how many stories of auto 3rd Gen's on this site that have complained about high priced rebuilds (somewhere in the upper 1600's) and then about getting their car back and the car not shifting into gear right or some other annoying problem. I only spent $550 on a used tranny and i've never looked back. Car runs great and have had zero problems with it in the past 20K (not to mention a lot of 6900rpm shifts) and tranny has always stood up to the challenge.
Used tranny is the best way to go.

 

i think it's more of YMMV...sometimes you get lucky..sometimes you don't.

 

the person before you may have been granny behind the wheel, another tranny may have been you behind the wheel, LOL or even worse, me LOL, yes you may have gotten lucky, but he m ay not be that lucky

 

I had the same thing happen to me last month! Blew the tranny and had it rebuilt for $1600 with new axles. Only problem I notice now is that when I turn the wheel I hear an occasional "thunk" noise? Is that normal? I wouldn't put a 150k tranny in a car, sounds like a tranny rebuild waiting to happen.

 

This sounds like the story of my max as well... should I or shouldn't I.

What I would do in your situation:
Replace TC and do not open the trans. If you're lucky those shavings might be in the filter now anyways and in that case you shouldn't worry too much. Or they might have been crushed inside the tranny (you said it yourself the TC is softer material). The only issue would be if they reached the oil pump, but I couldn't imagine they would. Instead - install an aftermarket filter on the cooling hose that goes from the radiatorinto the trans, that way you'll be sure only clean oil goes into the trans. Also be sure to drain the fluid in the radiator before, and also in the trans.

Of course this is just what I would do, it doesn't mean you have to. It might be a bit of gamble but the way I see it you already have put a deposit and considered replacing the tranny so wtf, right? If it works you've saved your $500. If not then all you've put into it is a bit of work.

 

I'm not keen about the miles, either. However, if I have to pull the tranny out again the bright side is all the bolts will come right out this time!

I THINK that's a 'bright side'...

 

That 150,000 tranny is USED not rebuilt, ie. on its last leg. Also, he seems to know what he's doing (I have faith in the DIY'er).

 

My tranny is a JDM tranny and had tags on it with japanese writing on it when i got the tranny; suggesting that it came from overseas. And most of you have a point, granny may have owned the tranny before me or maybe someone like me may have; one thing I have to point out and that most of you HAVE to agree with me on: we have heard ALOT more of cases over the years of failed and troubled rebuilds more than we have heard of failed used trannys. As a matter of fact, I don't know anyone on this site that has a used tranny.

 

I have a brand-new-in-the-box solenoid pack I paid $120 for couple of months back. 80 bucks takes it!

 

getting back on track. you asked awhile back that you had shavings on the plug magnet...i thought that was some what normal, as its a magnet and catches almost all the shavings.

id change the TC do a good flush and go from there.

 

I dropped my pan about 3-4 years ago when I added the transgo shift kit, there was a nice slurry on all the magnets, I guess its not likely to have anything large in the pan since the filters should pick them up.

also, the filter didn't have anything large in it (or small for that matter), and I estimated that it was about 10% plugged.

 

my 1991 maxima GXE already replace the transmission parts several times. Already I don't know how to do now, but I still refuse to throw it away.
Is anyone can tell me where I can get the high clutch part in the trans?? I appreciate!!

 

speak english!

 

Call Tru-test

 

Hey I was wondering if you can put a 90 Manual Trans in a 91? And does anyone know a nice site I can go to get one for my 91Max???

 

you can use any VG trans directly.
the VE trans takes more work

 

I'd go w/ a used tranny. Shop around though, some bone yards are waaaaayyyy cheaper than others.

 

Thanks for all the opinions.
I've been camping since last Friday so I haven't moved forward on this. I intend to get my deposit back on the high-mileage tranny and go on from there.
'Org user "UsedParts" just got a transmission in so I'll check that out when he pulls it from the car. Should be a bit less mileage and money.