I have a 97 GS-R with 230k that's my daily driver. It has a bad input shaft bearing. I don't know if I should replace the transmission or buy a different car. What would y'all do?

 

Price of a new car?
Price of a used transmission?
Price of a transmission shop rebuild?

 

Buy a new bearing.

 

I would do this, but I don't have the tools or space to replace it myself. I could have a shop do it, but from what I've read, it would be more cost-efficient to have my transmission replaced than rebuilt.

 

I have $1500 to work with. More if I sold or parted out my car.
I should be able to find a LS transmission for under $500 (https://hondaswap.com/threads/b-seri...n-guide.29099/), but I don't see any in marketplace or on craigslist right now.

 

so your only option is

- quote on rebuild
- new clutch
- quote on resurface flywheel
- is it worth it to rebuild, are there any other issues with the car that can cost me more down the road?

 

Why clutch and flywheel? Preventative maintenance?
No other issues at the moment, but it has 230k...

 

why?

when was the last time it was replaced?

 

If you have the tools to replace the transmission you have the tools to replace the bearing.

 

Just have a shop replace it shouldn't be much, buy the bearing from Honda and give it to them and all they should charge is labor maybe $160 to $240 or like 3 hr labor charge, some shops are $100 some are $80 per hr ect.

 

im selling a em1 b16 with ls 5th and a wavetrac lsd if you need a transmission

 

The bearing is like 20 bucks and just snaps into place

 

I was not able to do this without a press. I mean, I did it via mallet/DIY style, but the new input shaft bearing only lasted 50 miles. There were shards of bearing all through the transmission that had to be flushed out.

? ISB is pressed in. Certainly doesn't snap in. OP is not referring to the clutch throwout bearing.

As Tony pointed out, if it's a solid chassis and you like the car, just fix it or get a new (used) transmission. Any other used car will have it's own gremlins, so that's a game of chance.

 

It may not snap in but I've replaced em before on the ef si transmission they press into place with little effort not something you need a press for.. so easy a caveman could do it lol

 

build a square frame and use your hydraulic jack to press it in?

 

Put it in the freezer for a day or so, use a piece of wood or something flat to drive it right in. Works like butter!

 

I don't have the tools to do either.

 

I'll look into this, thanks!

 

Thanks for letting me know! That sounds awesome, but I think it's out of my price range.

 

Thanks for the input!

 

What are the symptoms OP? If it’s just a bit of a whining noise you’re probably safe to ignore it until you have the resources to fix it. My brother drove his Civic with a whiney ISB for years while he was in college.

 

Sounds like a job for...,

 

It's a loud grinding noise. It gets louder and the car lurches when I take my foot of the gas in first gear. I'm not sure if it's related, but it also makes a loud whining and rattling noise at about 3700 rpm.

 

Northern Virginia.

 

Honestly at this point replacing just the ISB will not be enough. There is likely damage to all the bearings and you would need to completely clean and flush all the oil ports in the main and counter shaft.

I did this to my b16 trans that the ISB failed completely on. The only special tools needed were the 32mm axle nut, snap ring pliers for case disassembly and a small 2 jaw puller to remove the damaged ISB from the case.

Cost for oem parts from even the cheapest dealer will be near $500 for all the bearings except the differential. I didn't replace mine because they were the sealed type.