manual transmission problems! HELP!!!

K_K_PSI_GUY · #1 (**permalink**) 07-20-2003, 08:00 PM

Okay, I noticed somebody posted a message talking abou their tranny ticking a few weeks ago. I had no idea what the heck they where talking about until my Jeep started doing it last Friday. Since then, it has been getting harder and harder to put my Jeep into gear. When I put it into reverse, the gear grinds. It is very hard to shift it into first, and when I am trying to downshift to third for example, the gear grinds as if the clutch was not totally engaged. I went to three different transmission shops, and each one of them told me something different. One even said that I should just get a transmission from a junk yard instead of dealing with this one. Man, this blows. What do you all think it is so I can at least have a clue whenever I go to a transmission shop. I have never dealt with manual transmissions, so I am clueless. What fluids should I check ? transfer case, differential? I hope you all can advice me on this one. -Al[addsig]

Snitty · #2 (**permalink**) 07-20-2003, 08:00 PM

i hate to always be this guy... but by the way it sounds... you'll probably find yourself looking for a new one here soon... can't say for sure, but that's what it seems[addsig]

Bounty__Hunter · #3 (**permalink**) 07-20-2003, 08:00 PM

What year Jeep and engine type? What's the tranny model?

Sounds like your synchonizers are going out in the tranny. Good way to tell is to change the fluid, should look like bronze glitter in the fluid. All too common since DC recommended the wrong gear oil for the tranny in their owner's manuals :-x

Good luck, keep us informed, and we'll help where we can :-D [addsig]

K_K_PSI_GUY · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2003, 08:00 PM

sorry for noit listing my Jeeps stats. I've got a 1995 Wrangler , 4.0 V6 , Manual Transmission. I was thinking about changing the transfer case oil, but I hesitated in fear of making the problem worse,. I know that can happen on automatic trannies. I will go ahead and try to get the oil changed in the transfer case and I will check for the symptoms you described Bounty. What type of fluid do you recomend? I know that in an earlier post somebody warned about a corrosive type of gear oil. I don't want to go with an expensive synthetic just in case I do have to get somebody to change out the synchronizers. If this was the case, would a "clutch kit" have what I need? Does $400 sound reasonable for the cost of labor? I called the Jeep dealer and they do not have any info. on "older" Jeeps like mine! Their books only go until 97! That is ridiculous. I had to find out what type of fluid the transaxle used from Autozone. Oh well, I'm glad I have Jeepz.com and you all to help me out. Thanks for the info, I will look for your replies, and I will keep you posted.-Al[addsig]

Snitty · #5 (**permalink**) 07-20-2003, 08:00 PM

once again... i hate to be "that guy"... but many of us jeepers are pretty fussy on the 4.0... we understand people make an honest mistake calling it a V6.... but its really called an I6, or a straight 6... some people will pick on others for using "V6"... just some info, not criticism...

for the transfer case, you're going to want to fill that with auto tranny fluid... for the tranny, if you don't want synthetic, go with pennzoil synchromesh fluid... otherwise, redline makes a great product for our synchros...

another thing i would hate to break to you... the ax-15 transmission, from what the tranny specialists around here say, is not the easiest rebuild in the world... many places will not do it because of its difficulty... ANY transmission can be rebuilt... but it might be cheaper to get a used one from ebay or a yard... or upgrade when the time comes... i got my used one from a man on ebay for $300, and that came with a spare front axle, skidplate, calipers, 2 driveshafts (one with a double cardan), both shifters and tcase linkages... ebay is a good thing

the differential will be fine with a standard gl-5 gear oil... cheap and easy to find, and easy to replace[addsig]

K_K_PSI_GUY · #6 (**permalink**) 07-20-2003, 08:00 PM

Thanks for the correction Snitty. I was told that the transmission used Gear oil 75 -90 or something like that. I will probably have to call an out of town dealership in order to find exactly what I need to use. The third shop I had gone to mentioned something about it being easier to install a used one than to rebuild one.

Sorry to be so ignorant, but if the synchronizers are going out, exactly what do I need to repair or replace? Like I said before, I have never worked on manual trannys, and Hayes repair manual is not helping much. I am assuming that if the synchronizers are bad, then I would have to change out the tranny?

I will totally agree with you about eBay. It is a very good thing to have.
Well, I'll be waiting for your response. -Al [addsig]

Snitty · #7 (**permalink**) 07-20-2003, 08:00 PM

well... if i remember right... a rebuild kit is pretty expensive in the first place... and if you are going to have the tranny out to rebuild it... i would suggest saving the time and effort, and trying to find a used tranny... save an entire step...and know that the internals are in there right[addsig]

K_K_PSI_GUY · #8 (**permalink**) 07-20-2003, 08:00 PM

Good point. I will start my search for a good used tranny. I will also check to see how much a transmission upgrade will run me. I will probably have to run my rig like this for a week or two. I hopw I don't mess anything else up.Thanks for all your help.-Al[addsig]

Bounty__Hunter · #9 (**permalink**) 07-20-2003, 08:00 PM

You can get Penzoil Synchromesh from common auto parts stores like AutoZone and such for about $5 a quart, you'll need just under 4. I'd drop the $20 and see if your shifting improves.

He's right, probably better to replace than rebuild.[addsig]