Hi, i have a new to me 89 Accord DX manual tranny, carb version, that only has 102k miles on it, motor runs great, tranny has lots of backlash, and 5th gear is gone, nothing there does not even feel like anything is happening when shifting into 5th, when i drained fluids the tranny only had a quart to 1 1/2 qts. of oil in it. What do you think the problem is? is there a known issue? I read someplace you can change 5th gear with the tranny in the car, Is this true? If i remove the end cover on the franny will I be able to determine whats wrong with 5th? and is there a link to procedure with pictures perferable? I have a Haynes manual, but no tranny rebuild manual. TIA, Bill

 

5th gear is toast. You've probably got metal **** all over your transmission. They're know to blow out 5th gear, but usually it's due to people not keeping track of the oil level. When the oil gets low, cruising down the freeway has 5th gear spinning away, it gets hot and explodes. Not really a design flaw, it's just that 5th gear is up top, and when the oil gets low, it's the first gear to dry out...

The gear is accessible by removing the cover, but your best bet would be to disassemble the whole thing anyways. There's probably exploded parts all inside that transmission that would be good to get out. Probably even easier to just go get a used one for $50-100 from the junkyard and swap it in.

 

Thanks for the reply. So the best idea is to remove the tranny from underneath? just drop it out after removing the half-shafts? and the right suspension parts? Is that the way to do it?

Thanks! Bill

 

Yup fastest way is to pull the half shafts completely out of the car (if you leave them in the spindles, you will be sorry). Then jack up the car and drop down the tranny. Super easy. Took me as a noob like 4 hours.

 

Hi thanks for the advice. 1 more question/issue, what should i be searching for, for a used tranny? what years are the same, is there a certain tranny i need to get? Is there a code or p/n on them someplace? As i have not had a Honda before, i am not sure how universal parts are. Thanks a bunch,,Oh i see your from the West coast, but if you have any contacts in the NY/NJ/CT region i am not particular where i get used parts. TIA,,Bill

 

For your car, just call around to the wrecking yards. They'll have all the transmissions that interchange. Any transmission from any 86-89 Accord will fit. There should be enough of those around that you don't need to look for other cars that fit. Just get one with a 30 day warranty so if it's bad you can swap it out again... Chances are there won't be anything wrong with it, but replace the axle seals on it, and put a new throwout bearing in it, also maybe do your clutch while you're in there. And fill it with Genuine Honda MTF. That stuff is the ****, works great in all Honda manuals...

 

Cool, thanks for your help, i appreciate it!