I've been studying this problem about 5sp tranny leaks and incorrect bearing preload as explained in the link below, but can someone please explain to me what the real problem is. Is it bad engineering? Does this affect ANY 95-99 5 speed??? Or is this only a problem if the tranny is rebuilt incorrectly?

http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/805

I'd really like to know the life expectancy of a 5 speed tranny in a stock 97 model.

I know there are alot of 5sp owners out there, so lets hear it!

 

The problem is what you stated, incorrect preload. Yes, it is common on early 4th gen 5spd's. Happend to me.

 

Buddy has a 98 and his is leaking like crazy from the driver's side joint. He has 60k on it.

 

So do you think the preload is set incorrectly at the factory on all of them, or just a few unlucky ones?

 

I'm that buddy, and yeah mine has a similar prob. Getting it fixed this week, along with my fidanza flywheel and exedy stage 1. Can't wait.

 

Try to go back and look at the poll started by Ericdwong. It has affected a lot of us. I don't think they checked for preload and shim correctly for it. They probably put one size shim in and for some cars it was OK, for others it meant bearings failed at 30k miles, for others 120k miles. It happened to me too :<

 

my 96 failed at around 120k

 

my bearing at 60K. Also how much was it to fix? I wanna know so that i don't get ripped off. While they are doing that, i figured to have them put on the flywheel and clutch. I will provide the clutch/flywheel, so i only need to pay for labor.

 

So do you guys have some shop rebuild the tranny, or can only a dealer do it? Sounds expensive!

I guess if it happens to me, I will just do it myself.
This is making me feel uneasy, maybe I'd be better off with an Auto tranny?...