I have already swapped another transmission into my car so now I am interested in rebuilding the original transmission which was making an awful sound, especially in low gears. I was told it was bearings and that it is a common problem with this transmission. In addition I would like to swap the 5th gear out for an HF 5th gear to lower the engine RPM when cruising in fifth gear.

Following the instructions in the manual I removed the 13 case bolts and the 32mm sealing bolt which exposes the snap ring that must be dealt with to separate the case. The bolt had red thread locking stuff on it but came out easily with an impact wrench. I then broke the seal formed by the RTV by prying the two halves apart this provide a small gap (1/16 to 1/8 inch) but more importantly it put a bit of tension on the snap ring so that when I opened the snap ring using two standard screwdrivers the case came apart easily.

Next I removed four bolts (red arrows in the pictures. I took the bolts out before removing the shafts and then put them back in place and took the pictures after the shafts were out) the interlock guide bolt the two bolts holding the reverse shift fork. I also removed one other bolt, I'm not sure it was necessary but after that I simply pulled and wiggled the main shaft and counter shaft and they slipped right out. I have been spinning the various bearings and I think I have found the one that is making all the noise (see picture) Is that the one that usually goes bad? I also removed the magnet it has some debris on it but it doesn't look bad to me but I would like another opinion because I have never done this before.

So what does it take to get the bad bearing out? The manual shows a special tool and a hammer. Are there safe alternative methods? Is there another bearing I should replace "While I'm there?"

What does it take to get the 5th gear off of the two shafts?

 

Go to local parts store and rent a bearing puller set. I don't know of any other way to remove that particular bearing you have pointed out as the "bad" bearing. The tool is basically a pronged end that you insert into the bearing and the other end has slide hammer attached to it. Once it's set, you just have to tap it a few times and it comes right out.

For fifth gear swap, you just need to remove that nut, 30mm I believe, and it all slides off. For the main shaft you SHOULD use a gear or bearing separating tool but you can get away by being creative with two very big flat head screw drivers, a couple blocks of wood, and some creativity to remove the topmost bearings. Once those are removed the rest slide off just like the counter shaft.

Personally, since you already have all the internals out, I'd replace every bearing and anything else that you have access to. I did that with mine and it cost about $200 using all OEM parts from Majestic. I bit pricey but cheaper than going to the dealer direct and man my transmission was SUPER smooth afterwards.

 

Are you speaking of the transmission I sold you? How's that one holding up?

 

Nah, this was actually for my daily civic. The one you sold me is fine, minus a weird whine in 5th but it works now. I think the whine is from me not double checking the shim spacing after installing the new fifth gear. It's all good though since I still have electrical issues on that car so I'm not driving it either way LOL

 

Did you do the same modification I am trying to do?

 

Nope, fifth gear was shredded in the transmission sold to me (he told me ahead of time it was broken). But it was the same amount of work to do what you want to do.

 

I have swapped the gears. It was just as easy as you said it would be only took about half an hour. I have placed an order with Majestic for the bearing and all new seals. So I have this left over transmission and it takes up too much of the space I have available to store broken parts, so I think I will just keep the guts and take the case to the metal recycler. I think I can get $10 for the aluminum. Anyone here have a good reason why I wouldn't want to do that?

 

I recycled an entire Si transmission at the local recycler for the same reason, I got enough to cover a whopper value meal at the burger king down the street...and that's exactly what I spent the money on LOL

 

The input shaft bearing on the bellhousing is also probably bad.

You can heat/freeze the bearings/shafts to make re-assembly easier.

Inspect the syncro sleeves and shift forks.

I would also completely disassemble the gear stacks to clean out any debris that might be caught in the shafts, which is a common problem with these trans.

I forgot your other questions.

 

Yes, the input shaft bearing is the one I ordered, along with all the seals.

 

In case you didn't find it, I thought this might help with some pictures: http://www.angelfire.com/on4/crxpage/transmission.html

I'm interested to see how you like the hf 5th gear. I would love to install that in mine as well. I-95 in this car makes it scream.

 

I would go ahead and throw this in there: http://shop.synchrotech-transmission...mm-BSK-D16.htm

That way you have all new bearings and seals.