Manual transmission case repair

[The Butcher]

Just curious if anyone has any creative ways to repair a cracked transmission case. I assumed that JB Weld would do the trick, but the last owner said he tried and it kept coming unsealed? I know JB Weld is rated to hold MUCH more pressure than a transmission should be under. I used it to seal auto trans lines before! I thougt maybe it could be welded if the JB won't hold. Anyone have this problem before, and what was you fix? Thanks everyone!

 

[kronus]

When my transmission took a dump on me, I thought there was a way to fix the case, but cast welding is aparently a skill that is semi-expensive, or an advancedwelding technique, I dunno. But I wouldn't trust JB to hold in such a precious fluid such as gear oil.

My question to you is why you have a crack or cracks in your case? I didn't think much of it, but soon realized that all that FWD wheelhop sent bits of the tranny flying around and cracking my case. So you might wanna look into other things aside from just sealing that transmission case crack.

 

[The Butcher]

Naw, I got an AWD. The guy I bought it from said this "Something is broken off inside the transmission and got pulled through the ring and pinion. Whatever it was broke the transmission case along the way". Lol, so really I'm trying to salvage my case so that I can have it rebuilt. No one will, nor would I recommend rebuilding a tranny and leaving the case cracked . Actually, as dumb and od as t sounds, I've drivin the car like this (maybe a total of 5 miles) Car shifts great, no grinding at all, and it never slipped runnin 22lbs on a big 16. I've accepted the fact it needs a new tranny, just hoping the case can be saved so all I need it the rebuild kit and not a whole new 2500 dollar tranny

 

[Norcaltalon]

Where is the crack? On my 90 awd tranny I developed a crack on the end piece right behind the passenger side wheel which caused shifting problems with 5th gear and reverse. But i was able to salvage another end piece off of a friends tranny and swap them out. No problems since.

 

[StR8sPo0Ln]

Is your bell housing cracked because you can always replace that part of the trans-axle. I would call a company like shepracing or JNZtuning. They are very respectful companies and prices are very reasonable.

 

[The Butcher]

I haven't gotten a chance to get under it yet (20" of snow, followed by freezing rain...yay) but according to the previous owner it's cracked "up the back". I was curious if the bellhouse could just be swapped, which would leave time to discover whats bouncing around in there. He said he thought it was probly a gear bearing, but all 6 gears shift in/out, no popping out either. All this with a dry case. It'd be nice if it was something simple, but as we all know with these cars, the only time it is is when you break down and replace it . I'll check it out as soon as I can get the car insured and plated.

 

[The Butcher]

Something I was wondering as well, what about lucas transmission leak-stop? Being a 5 speed, it's bassically just gear lube in there correct? Like 75w if I recall? You guys think that could have any negative effects on anything. Guess anything is better than nothing right? I got to look at it today and saw no trace of leaks, but he said the fluid was "Running right through" Also he used silicone and JB weld, so that could be part of the problem.

 

[The Butcher]

Ok, so I JB "welded" the case, but haven't filled it up yet. Been driving it once a week or so. The syncros are taking a beating I think and I'm pretty much set that here before long I'm just gonna pull it out, fix the case (or just replace it depending on money/time). While it's out, what do you guys think I should do with it? I was thinking on a fidanza flywheel, and a new clutch of course. Any other things that may help? I'de rather stay away from the trans LSD's as I feel I get enough traction and the peice of mind that there is one less thing in there to break.

 

[Defiant]

I'll just watch from back here, thanks. Perfect username, though.

 

[Echo5Zulu]

For what its worth I popped a hole in my bell housing a few years ago when I accidently installed the wrong flywheel and fixed it with JBWeld. Its been holding ever since "knock on wood" and saved me a ton because it was really pouring fluid when it was damaged.

 

[Locke]

For what its worth I popped a hole in my bell housing a few years ago when I accidently installed the wrong flywheel and fixed it with JBWeld. Its been holding ever since "knock on wood" and saved me a ton because it was really pouring fluid when it was damaged.

You shouldn't have fluid in your bellhousing. You have other issues.

 

[Echo5Zulu]

You shouldn't have fluid in your bellhousing. You have other issues.

The inside bellhousing wall is what the hole was through wich leads to the inside where the fluid is. So the fluid inside was leaking into the bellhousing where the flywheel is then down and out onto the ground.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

Ok, so I JB "welded" the case, but haven't filled it up yet. Been driving it once a week or so.

Wait, so you have no tranny fluid and you've driven it a week. There was a mechanic that did that to me before. Drained the T-case and Tranny and took it on a 40 km joy ride. THANK GOD, he tried to do an AWD launch and ended up snapping a axle, because that made him stop driving it. However the damage was already done.

<a href="http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5430676"><img src="http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/5/13011315412.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge."></a>

The gear oil came out pure gray (supposed to be tanish clear), it almost looked like melted silver. Also you can slightly tell that the main shaft was no longer straight, it wobbled around ALOT.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Bearings crushed to bits. This T-case was TOAST....beyond repair. Mind you this happened in ONE-day less then 30 min of driving.

The syncros are taking a beating I think and I'm pretty much set that here before long I'm just gonna pull it out, fix the case (or just replace it depending on money/time).

Yeah, they are. You're driving around with NO gear oil. You need to completely replace the transmission now!

While it's out, what do you guys think I should do with it? I was thinking on a fidanza flywheel, and a new clutch of course. Any other things that may help? I'de rather stay away from the trans LSD's as I feel I get enough traction and the peice of mind that there is one less thing in there to break.

The first thing you need to replace in this car is the owner....

Joking aside. I would find a used tranny and send it to TRE or Sheperd. Don't spend money on a clutch&flywheel combo when you need to get a new tranny. You are just gonna make it break faster. If you have the money to do it all (tranny replace and rebuild, flywheel, and clutch) Then by all means go ahead and do it. Make sure you read the instructions, get NEW flywheel and clutch bolts, throw in some thread locker and torque to specs. One last thing:

DON'T FORGET TO MAKE SURE YOUR DOWEL PINS ARE IN THE ENGINE WHEN RE-INSTALLING THE TRANSMISSION!!!!

 

[The Butcher]

Yeah, I meant that when I pulled it, I planned on having it rebuilt. And while it was out either have the case re-welded or replaced. The JB weld was just so that I could drive it until I had the money to replace it all together. The fact is it's already toast, and theres no way I'm going to trust it period until it's replaced. I mean something inside it had to have cracked the case if it's leaking, so it's obviously needing replaced. Seriously though, some of you need to consider that some people actually come here for help and opinions. Not insult them for having done something you dont agree with. And maybe a few of you need to re-read the "before you reply" section right above the box you type in.

 

[Defiant]

Gosh, but I love seeing sub-100 poster New Members scolding those who could have helped them.

Closed.