'92 Corolla transmission troubles ...

[tpfitz07]

My sister owns a '92 with about 250K miles on it. The other day she was driving along the highway at about 55 mph and the car started shaking underneath. She thought it might be a bad tire at first. Eventually, however, she had to pull it over and the car simply became immobile. The engine still runs, but she had to have it towed to a mechanic. Does this condition necessarily mean that the transmission has gone out completely bad? If so, how much would it cost her (worst case) to replace it with a rebuilt? Maybe she should just junk it? Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Dave's]

Check that the CV joints are ok. Each side has a half-shaft with joints on the ends. One comes apart and the car doesn't move but the tranny's ok. That could have been the shaking. It's like losing a u-joint on a rear wheel drive car. To the best of my knowledge anyway. Replacing a half-shaft can run from around $100 to $500. Depends on who you have do it.

[1992Corolla235]

auto or manual?
did it not shift into gear?
Maybe the shaking was a bad mount.
More details!

hope all goes well

[tpfitz07]

[quote=1992Corolla235]auto or manual?
did it not shift into gear?
Maybe the shaking was a bad mount.
More details!



Sorry ... it has an automatic transmission and I believe that it would not go into gear for her.

[silkydraws]

Strange my 97 did this the other day and scared the bjeebus out of me. I had no idea a auto could lock up. CVs were fine for me the tranny had something break inside and get stuck. it finally reversed and got unstuck but sounded like a loose band or something inside after that. Same thing for me tires locked up at 40 MPH but engine still on. I removed CVs and tranny still was broke.

[silkydraws]

BTW w/ 250K on the clock unless I could fix it very cheap I wouldnt do it. Sure wouldnt go to a tranny shiop and pop for a 1000 dollar tranny for a car w/ a engine going out soon.