The manual transmission in my '01 Tracker has been progressively noisier here lately and I need some advice...

After 170,000 miles, I'm pretty sure that the bearings are dying on me - it still shifts pretty good (so far). My problem is that used 5 speeds are pretty scarce around here. I can find automatics, but not the manual. I can find a rebuild kit, but not many shops out here want to touch a "foreign" transmission.

So... here's my dilemma;

1. Has anyone used an online parts locater with any success? I hate buying large parts sight unseen and hesitate to risk that much money.

2. How hard is thee 5 speed to rebuild? I've done my share of DIY work on my vehicles, but I've never rebuilt a transmission before. If its do-able I'd just rebuild my transmission and go from there.

If anyone has an option I've overlooked, let me know. The Tracker is my daily ride and really don't want to drive the Ram 100 miles a day for an extended period of time.

David

I know it's just a band-aid solution, but have you tried running Lucas Oil in your tranny? It seems to quiet it down a bit.

Rear bearing on the countershaft seems to be the first to fail. Mine needed one at 80000 miles and showed some wear when i tore the tranny down at 95000. My tranny is also noisy but I know all bearings are new and it is due mostly to my removal of the rubber damper in the shifter. these trannies are pretty simple to tear down but do require a press to change the center bearings on the shafts. if you are fairly handy pulling the tranny out and tearing it down to have a look it is not very hard. i pulled my tranny, rebuilt it , changed a rear main seal, changed a clutch and had it up and running within 8 hours. The transfer case and tranny are not too heavy and they are easy enough to split. I checked on getting mine rebuilt and I was quoted a minimun of 1800 depending on what it needed. If I remember right most of my bearings came from cskauto.com since i could not locate a rebuild kit.
I guess first i should ask what gears are noisy? If all but fourth are it points to the countershaft. If all gears are noisy there are problems with the main shaft.

Mine was noisy for 2 years until it finally "broke". I called a local scrap yard and withen 3 days they found me a used one with 4xxxx miles on it for $800. I did the work myself and the swap out was easy. I've used the same kind of parts locator for 2 tranny's now and both were good. When it first started making noise I went to a local shop to see if they could fix it. He said it would be at least $700 up to $2000 depending on what was making the noise. He said it may last 2 hours or 10 years. I took my chances and it went 2 more years. 

Is your tranny leaking ? Ive seen 3 trannies including mine that leak at the center half and get low on oil and start to get noisey

Try this for your transmission.


http://car-part.com/

Great link!  Thanks.

Thanks you everyone for the info.

I've got noise in most gears - mostly whining. I'm hoping that I'm just low on lube, but the weather has been terrible here  and I haven't had time to get in to a shop and get it checked. Hopefully I can get it in someplace Friday.

I haven't noticed a leak, but that doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot.  I'll let you know what I find out.

David

Wow - can't believe I'm reading this post.  I just went through the identical thing on my '01 5-speed.  The problem was a bad center bearing on the counter shaft.  I ended up ordering a rebuild kit from drivetrain.com (good people) and rebuilding it myself.  I've never done anything like that and decided to take a chance and try it.  I've put a little over 2k miles on it since then and it seems great so far.

I did not have a press.  I bought a large gear puller from Sears and a bearing puller kit from Harbor Freight - cheap.  Both worked great.  To re-install everything I put one part in the freezer and one part in the toaster oven - it was a little tricky but worked out just fine.  The toaster oven doesn't get hot enough to anneal the metal so you don't have to worry about that.

I took tons of pictures and a few measurements to make sure everything went back together correctly.  I also found the source of the leak that was mentioned a few posts above - there a plug that falls out.  I tapped it and put a brass plugs in for under $1.  No more leak.

Cost depends on if you want to replace the synchro rings while you're in there (add $100) and what tools you already have (add $100 for pullers) but the "base" cost is about $450 with all the fluids, rebuild kit, clutch kit, sealant, etc.  That number also assumes you want to do the clutch "while you're in there" - it literally adds 10 minutes and is very easy.  If you're like me and kind of new to a project like this then plan on a day to remove the trans and separate the case, a day to do the rebuild, and a day to re-install.  You don't need a transmission jack since the trans is so light - just a friend to help.

I'd be happy to help you through the rebuild or answer any questions.  It's all very fresh in my mind.  Post up or PM me if you want.

Here's a picture of everything out on a table in the basement.  New parts are next to the old ones they are replacing and everything is in the order and orientation that it came off in. 

I would love all the hints and tips you're willing to give. I've haven't done anything this complex in a very long time and a bit nervous as the Tracker is my commuter car. If I mess it up, I'm stuck driving the Ram |removethispart|@ 13 mpg 100 miles a day 4 days a week.  :'( 

David

If you don't want to rebuild it go to lowrangeoffroad.com and see if they got one or samaurisalvage.com for a used one

I would love all the hints and tips you're willing to give. I've haven't done anything this complex in a very long time and a bit nervous as the Tracker is my commuter car. If I mess it up, I'm stuck driving the Ram |removethispart||removethispart|@ 13 mpg 100 miles a day 4 days a week.  :'( 

David

Tip #1 is to make sure you have all the parts you think you will need before you start the project to minimize down time!  My car was down for three weeks while I waited for parts to come in - UPS lost a package and then I found that the pilot bearing that was in my clutch kit was for the wrong car.  I drove my '89 rover which also gets about 13mpg so I know how you feel.  At least gas is cheaper now - it was about $4/gal for premium when I did this a few months back.

I found that rockauto.com had the best price for the clutch kit.  I also decided to get a transfer case input seal and transmission mount from them since it would be a good idea to replace those cheap items.  drivetrain.com (call them on the phone) was excellent for the rebuild kit.  You'll also need various things at the autoparts store like gear oil and RTV.  Sears had a big gear puller with a lifetime warranty and Harbor Freight had a bearing puller set that worked really well and was only $40 or so.  There were a bunch of other little things I bought but I'd have to think about it for a while and check my receipts to get a complete list together for you.

I'd have too much to type here to explain everything so if you decide to attempt it PM me your email or something - might be easier to converse that way.

Mine was noisy for 2 years until it finally "broke". I called a local scrap yard and withen 3 days they found me a used one with 4xxxx miles on it for $800. I did the work myself and the swap out was easy. I've used the same kind of parts locator for 2 tranny's now and both were good. When it first started making noise I went to a local shop to see if they could fix it. He said it would be at least $700 up to $2000 depending on what was making the noise. He said it may last 2 hours or 10 years. I took my chances and it went 2 more years. 

Yeah, most auto shops and the related are deceitful and want to charge more than a vehicle is worth to do what is usually a simple fix (like replacing the bearings). Or (from some shops I have seen) they will charge a customer $3000 (on a $1000 toyota camry with 250,000 miles on it) to replace random components because they don't actually know what is wrong with it.

There were a bunch of other little things I bought but I'd have to think about it for a while and check my receipts to get a complete list together for you.

Feel paste it into a long post when you get it together.

I'd have too much to type here to explain everything so if you decide to attempt it PM me your email or something - might be easier to converse that way.

Same with that.  That sort of info is pure posting gold.