What's it like to replace or repare a FF tranny?

Figit090

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Jan 7, 2006
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There's this toyota camry for sale near me that is only 350 bux...

apparently the only thing wrong with the seemingly nice looking car is the transmisison, its a 5 speed, makes funny noises and the seller states it will need repair or replacement.

Worst case scenario, how hard could that be to fix? i'm assuming worst-case is a complete tranny swap for a working one.

is it relatively easy? i dont know enough about front wheel drive trannys. if they are pretty much all trans-axels and the camry tranny is one as well...i dont want anything to do with it. too many things going on in a little space for me. but i was just curious and thought somebody could sum it up in a few words.
 

RHDMK3

that's it!
Sep 30, 2006
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I've done a few tranny removal's on FWD cars( Honda's) It's not really difficult if you have all the tools you need. Having access to a lift will make everything much easier though. I was abloe to lift the tranny back into my old civic by myself. They arent that heavy at all really. It can be a bitch though because you must remove you CV axles from the trans. That can be a pain in the ass sometimes.
 

Figit090

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Jan 7, 2006
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well, i have pleanty of tools, no lift, but jackstands... thats kinda iffy. not sure. One thing he said about it is "it has started making a lot of noise. It needs to be replaced or repaired."

the main, HUGE issue with me picking this car up would be having time to fix it, and then making money selling it. My dad told me no because i dont have time to do it, but i didnt know that for sure since i know nothing of these trannys.

i'll be graduating this year and i dont have time for a project car, i would have to be able to fix this in a couple days and i couldnt afford to run into a big problem. i have enough to do as it is with scholarship applications and homework- i would fix the car, and most likely sell it since i have my supra.

If its not straightforward i cant do it. I did a BHG fix with no prior experiance, and i'm sure i could learn and do the job, but i am worried about the transaxle thing. if i could just take some bolts off, drop the tranny, and put in a new one (he mentioned knowing where one is for 75 bux, plus75 shipping) I could do it and break out with a working car.

it IS a v6 5spd. passed smog, he says it runs great and drove it from humboldt to portland and back not to long ago. so my guess is the engine is fine if he isnt lying to me.

new radiator, new front wheel bearings, new front axles, new ERG calce, one new injector and nice tires.

Its just that repair... i dont know enough about these cars and i was hoping it could be eaisly fixed...but it seems like it might be to complicated to be strictly a remove and replace thing. if anyone has done a repair on this specific drivetrain...

maybe i should hit up a camry forum? if there is such a thing.
 

Figit090

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Jan 7, 2006
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thanks. the fact that i asked about a camry forum when one with such a stupidly basic URL such as that makes me feel silly.
 

Figit090

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Jan 7, 2006
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allright, i think I will. thanks.

If this makes any immidiate difference or any "oh thats a simple fix!" lightbulbs go off;

He told me the mechanic went as far as to find out it was a problem with the transmission, nothing further. the noise is in all 5 gears.

He says hes not a mechanic, and told me the shop it's at. He says although hes not a mechanic he thinks its an outgoing part and could be an easy fix, mentioning that it occurs in all 5 gears. He just figured that it would be eaiser to replace the whole tranny at 75 bux. (plus 75 shipping)
 

Figit090

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Jan 7, 2006
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Turbo. Targa. Life. said:
tell him to try some tranny fluid lol


thats the kind of thing i was wondering about.

it could be something that simple, could it not? ijust need to find someone that knows this setup well enough to shed some light.

maybe someone on toyotanation will know. i habitually posted here because i like it here so much. maybe wasnt the best choice because of the relavance to supras is very low, but...it was spur of the moment.:nono:
 

supra90turbo

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Mar 30, 2005
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It's cheap enough, I would pick it up and buy a used transmission. Don't be intimidated... Intimidation will get you nowhere, it definitely won't get you a reliable DD for cheeaaaap....

Figure $350 for the car
Probably $400 or so for a trans from junkyards. Cheaper if you can get one from someone on a forum, but from what I've seen, junkyards want at least $400 for any 5spd transmission.
I did, however get one for my subaru for $300 where the guy wanted $400, but you gotta be creative with your words when he tells you the price. lol

either way, you're under $1,000 for a nice DD. If you don't like it, you can sell it for at least $1500
 

Figit090

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Jan 7, 2006
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he told me he located a tranny with 50k miles on it for 75 dollars, plus around 80 for shipping.

if thats true.....

i dunno. its just finding time. i dont really have much at all. :icon_conf