I have a 1989 Honda Accord Lxi with a 5spd with 235,000 miles on it. Its been making some noise in 3rd 4th and 5th gears for a little while. When you push the clutch in the noise goes away. I took it in to verify and they say it IS the transmission. They say $500 to drop it out and tear it down to see whats wrong. Could be in excess of $1000 to rebuild or fix it.

I called some Honda salvage yards and there is one locally with a tranny still sitting in the car that he says has about 150,000 on it for $275 with a 90day warranty.

My question is, how hard is it to replace the tranny myself? I've put in automatics in my 90 K5 blazer and numerous 4spds in my 71 El camino, but never in a front wheel drive car. I have replaced the 5th gear set in this tranny, but it was still in the car. Is removing and replacing this something I could tackle myself and save some money?

How reliable do you think a used tranny is?
Anything to check for on a used tranny to indicate wear?

I assume tearing apart my existing tranny to fix it would be out of the question/difficult.

Might try adding some Lucas to the oil and see if that quiets it down until I figure out what to do. Any luck with that?

Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!!

 

tranny swap are pretty simple, seems like youve done car work before. you got the 90day warranty, so that sounds good, just be sure to ask in specifics about the warranty policy. you can try some synchromesh fluid.

 

So I picked it up an drove it home form the tranny shop. WOW. This thing is making more noise!! started banging when starting off in 1st. Then started whining real loud, I had let the clutch in and out to make it stop, then it would start again after a mile or so.I didnt think I was gonna make it home.

I think I am gonna tackle swapping out the tranny myself. Any tricks or tips I should look out for? Just unbolt everything huh? Do the axles/cv's have to come out? (I havent even looked at it yet).

Anything I should look for when I pick up the used tranny? Thanks.