Went out for mounts came out needing new transmission wtf?

[felonyr301]

Yep I went to install the engine mounts and transmission mount since it was horrible really thought that was causing the dangerous vibration when gassing it through time and time. Went in to the mechanics I'm cool with and have to say that they charge really cheap in the labor from what I've seen over in the Bronx shops. $30 for each mount installed so not bad since what I saw what he dealt with the front, rear and transmission mounts I'm happy I didn't do it.

The story right here while driving the car over to the mechanic slowly the car was really bad vibration clunk noise that can be felt really hard when I gas it. The steering wheel started to pull very hard in all directions right after the vibration hit me scary feeling. Finally made it to the mechanics and right when I turn in they say that's definitely not just the engine mounts. I'm already like oh no.

He already started to believe it is the axle or whatever that is causing this. He puts on the lift and tries to spin the front wheels and something is fighting it very hard. I'm there the whole time helping out since I'm bored and I have a hard time spinning the wheel. He already concluded that it has to be the axle.

Strange though that I know how it sounds when an axle goes out and it usually clicks when turning but this was way different. He checked it out and came to a conclusion and told my father something about it being dried up connected to the transmission and sadly nothing can be done but get a used transmission and my car should be back to new. I left since I have class late so I couldn't stay the whole time.

He got to look for one in the junkyard probably $350 or so and he's installing the transmission for $250. I guess the labor for installing the transmission is ok since I heard of people doing it for $4-500 am I wrong guys?

It's funny right after installing the suspension and driving for a couple of weeks this happens. Heard of lowering the car affecting the axles badly especially the case with the 95-99 maximas when dropped low but does the camry suffer from this??? I had it lowered before but only for a limited time and put on the stock suspension but man this blows

P.S. Never heard any clicking noises to show signs of axles bad or any transmission related problems it was always good to me. The transmission fluid was kinda of dark but nothing dangerous this sucks.

[uibalnme]

It's the differential not the axles. The diff may have been very low on fluid, and burned out. The same thing happend to my 87 Celica. The diff only had 2 ounces of fluid left in it, I was coming off the freeway, started slowing down, lots of vibration, and BANG!

The front wheels felt like they were stuck in glue. I had to gun it up to 4K just to crawl forward. With each BANG from the trans I would only move about 10ft. The tow truck driver put the car in neutral to pull it up on the flat-bed, but the wheels wouldn't turn.

My mechanic knew right away that the diff was gone.

[bronzemaxell]

$250 for labor is really cheap,
i replaced my 4cyl transaxle myself, and oh boy, took me 10 hours.

[uibalnme]

Originally Posted by felonyr301

P.S. Never heard any clicking noises to show signs of axles bad or any transmission related problems it was always good to me. The transmission fluid was kinda of dark but nothing dangerous this sucks.

Just remember in these cars, the trans, and diff have separate supplies of fluid. Both do use ATF, but they have separate supplies of it. I still have no idea why Toyota designed it that way, but that's just the way it is for us.

Ever since my 87's diff took a dump. I've started changing the diff fluid every 3rd oil change. If I remember correctly, the diff fluid should be changed every 12-15K miles anyway. So, every 3rd oil change would be 12K miles.

When was the las time you changed the diff fluid?

[felonyr301]

Wow so differential ok, i dont kno this is what my father told me since he talked to them while i was in school. Well I checked the transmission fluid once every 2 weeks and it was always full.

I never changed the transmission fluid or differential fluid like u saying but I had the car for 2 years and only driven about 12,000 miles(dont drive alot). Supposely it was changed from when it was bought since it was my father who bought it for me first car u kno.

I was a little cautious on doing tranny fluid changes since i heard of horrible stories with old transmissions dying right after it and I never felt any problems from the tranny.

The differential thing kinda of slipped my mind but the fluid looked good. I mean it was weird for toyota to do that but whatever shit happens.

Yea what you are talking is what happen to me but not so bad that it completely stop me from driving to the mechanic but it almost got there. It was dangerous feeling felt the hard clunk and vibration not cool.

[Eye8Pussies]

you have a 5sfe, right?

the problem with the 4 banger tranny is that the differential casing fluid is separate from the rest of the tranny, so even if you're checking your tranny fluid and it's full, your differential could be bone dry without you knowing. the only way to check it is by taking off the differential plug and sticking your finger in to feel the level.

[uibalnme]

Originally Posted by felonyr301

I was a little cautious on doing tranny fluid changes since i heard of horrible stories with old transmissions dying right after it and I never felt any problems from the tranny.

Well, yeah, if the fluid was never ever changed, and only topped off. In which case the owner was a dumbass to begin with.

I tend to over maintain my car. The 87 Celica's diff was fluke. I only had the car for a few months, and all the fluids looked fresh when I got it. After I had the transaxle replaced, I maintain the 87 Celica just like my 96 Camry. Both of which are running strong.

Now If I had some cash to revive my 89 Toyota Pickup...

[felonyr301]

Oh man I didn't know that wow, so only way to know the level is to stick your finger in aww man that's gay. If I didn't know then many others don't know.

I got the "dumbass" talk with my pops about taking care of the car which he thinks I never checked on the transmission fluid but as what you guys are telling me you can't tell by the dipstick anyways.

I'm just hoping I get a working transmission, it will suck if i can notice it shift harder than my old tranny. Well if the tranny is good I can start fresh with this one and maintain it as well as I did with everything else on my car.

With this I shouldn't have anything major wrong with my car for a long time since alot has been changed except the motor but the motor is younger than the car by how much i dont know explains why it was always strong. I found out when i looked up carfax something didn't match up and figured it out but it was too late no biggie.

Funny thing is that I talked about swapping a 5-speed into my car for the hell of it not long ago. Now look at this that wasnt such a bad idea now lol.

[Eye8Pussies]

well, look at it this way...$600 is a pretty good price for getting an installed tranny...just make sure there's a decent warrantee on the parts and labor..

[felonyr301]

Looking around couldn't find anything less than $525 for a transmission which blows what can you do need the car fast. So with $250 for labor that makes it $775 altogether on what I'm going to be spending is this ok?

[felonyr301]

Update made a mistake it was $325 for the transmission and $250 for labor I guess not bad. Also went out and bought 2 tires since it got fucked up driving back (more money spent lol).

So all in all $575 for tranny+labor so pretty good I guess from what all of you are saying. $90 for installing front, rear and transmission mounts I guess not so bad and glad I didn't do those lol.

Oh yea it was a 2001 Transmission will that be a problem in the future??? It's already installed and it shifts good btw.