I currently have about 126K miles on my 5spd max and have whining in 1st gear only (sounds like a turbine) but not in any other gears....I also have a extremely slow leak of trans fluid out what looks like the driver side half-shaft. In either case this all follows the "tell-tale" signs of the dreaded differential bearing failure. If I just have a whine in 1st gear, and a extremely slow leak, how much longer can I go on this trans...will it progressively go...or what will happen over time to warn me?

How much have you guys paid to have bearings replaced? I know most are quoting $1000 for the job, but I would like to do it cheaper if anyone knows anyone who will do it professionally but cheap...!!! In either case, if I can't get it done for less than $1000 than I'll just buy a rebuilt trans with warranty, there is a company in arizona who rebuilds these trans and has I30t 5-spds in stock (LSD hear I come)....

 

If you swap in an LSD then u also need the axles. Not a bad idea to swap anyways at 126k.

The parts for the one bad bearing is like $50, but it's like 12 hours of labor.