Advice on what to do with transmission

[2Greys]

Recently it appears that my TJ's stock transmission is getting a little sticky going from first to second. Reading up on Jeepforum this sounds like it may be due to it getting cold and not letting it warm up.

But,I just got the transmission fluid changed as I had no idea when it was last done before I bought it and they noted some brass in it (not a lot to become a concern but they did note it).

This leads me to suspect that it may be the synchro gear going. Right now I can live with...

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[2Greys]

Nope. Only 2" BB

Do you have a body lift?

 

[Root Moose]

Synchros are not a big deal, do not worry about the transmission getting permanently wrecked or catastrophically failing. You can drive it like that without issue. Worst case is that more of the synchro teeth get filed off and fall into the bottom of the transmission. Make sure you keep up on fluid changes and double clutch the shift into second, that is, don't rush it.

You can also try running some custom gear lube fluid like Royal Purple or Redline. It's hit or miss whether this will help smooth the shifting.

That vintage Jeep has an AX15 or NV3550? If it were me I'd probably get it rebuilt, either transmission is a good unit. You could pull the transmission yourself to save a wack of the repair cost if you felt comfortable with that.

 

[2Greys]

The one I saw on ebay for $850US was an AX15 but it was from a place in the States that sells them rebuilt. I would probably be willing to sell the old one at their core charge to save on shipping it back if I went that way. I figure it would probably be a good deal as someone so inclined would be able to fix it for the core plus cost of a rebuild kit.

I'm not too worried about it right now. I will probably see how things are over the winter and deal with it next year. Gives me time to decide/budget for it. It's more of a question of which would be cheaper; a rebuild or replacement. Not sure what the price is for a swap if I provided the transmission. I figure a rebuild of the one I have would be around 1200-1500 from what I found online.

My mechanical skills are to the extent of changing diff fluid, rotor and pad replacement and standing in as acting milk crate during a steering box replacement. Pulling a transmission is a bit beyond me

Synchros are not a big deal, do not worry about the transmission getting permanently wrecked or catastrophically failing. You can drive it like that without issue. Worst case is that more of the synchro teeth get filed off and fall into the bottom of the transmission. Make sure you keep up on fluid changes and double clutch the shift into second, that is, don't rush it.

You can also try running some custom gear lube fluid like Royal Purple or Redline. It's hit or miss whether this will help smooth the shifting.

That vintage Jeep has an AX15 or NV3550? If it were me I'd probably get it rebuilt, either transmission is a good unit. You could pull the transmission yourself to save a wack of the repair cost if you felt comfortable with that.

 

[chunkytrunks]

Hey, I have the exact same problem with my AX-15. I have been driving like that for a while and basically my syncro is gone. It's annoying to drive but still works. Syncros are a well known problem with the AX-15 trannys. I say either drive it or upgrade to a better tranny. Or even put a used one in, There are lots on jeepkings and they are cheap.

 

[2Greys]

May do that. It isn't bad yet but maybe an atlas. I kid
Right now it is at the anooying but not $1000 annoying level.

Hey, I have the exact same problem with my AX-15. I have been driving like that for a while and basically my syncro is gone. It's annoying to drive but still works. Syncros are a well known problem with the AX-15 trannys. I say either drive it or upgrade to a better tranny. Or even put a used one in, There are lots on jeepkings and they are cheap.

 

[Dirk]

how much can the parts be to replace the syncros?

 

[2Greys]

I have seen rebuild kits going around $300. I would expect the remaining $900 would be the labor time ripping apart a transmission.

This was where my question was coming from. What is the typical cost for labor for swapping a known bad (I use that term loosely) transmission with a new or rebuilt one compared to rebuilding the existing one?

how much can the parts be to replace the syncros?

 

[Richard]

I would think a shop would charge ~4 hours to replace that tranny, so about $400 by the time it's all done?

Or arrange a fix it day with club members and bring a couple cases of beer and boxes of pizza

 

[Kunker]

X2...I've changed a couple of manual transmissions in the driveway before and it's pretty straight-forward. As for prices, I didn't have any time to deal with my last blown tranny, and it was $3K for a new one, installed with a new cooler as well. That's probably on the high side as I needed it done pretty quick and they were scrambling for parts.

 

[2Greys]

That I think would be a good idea. $400 in beer and pizza goes a long way

I would think a shop would charge ~4 hours to replace that tranny, so about $400 by the time it's all done?

Or arrange a fix it day with club members and bring a couple cases of beer and boxes of pizza

 

[2Greys]

Assuming it gets to needing a new one and I decide to go with getting a garage to do it, I can probably live without it for a couple of days. Annoying hour bus ride or beg and plead with Mrs. 2Greys to drive me across the city, but it would be doable.

This thread was more or less to get a feeler on if I should get it fixed asap (which it sounds like there is no need (yet)) and how to proceed if I did (which is get a rebuilt or good used one and swap them out).

X2...I've changed a couple of manual transmissions in the driveway before and it's pretty straight-forward. As for prices, I didn't have any time to deal with my last blown tranny, and it was $3K for a new one, installed with a new cooler as well. That's probably on the high side as I needed it done pretty quick and they were scrambling for parts.