I took my van into a local transmission shop. The owner put it on the lift and took off the tranny pan - there were some metal bits in there

Given that the transmission is not slipping or missing, and the only notable problem is the clacking noise, I'm debating whether to just tolerate the noise, or pay the $1400 the mechanic estimated to rebuild the tranny at the shop.

What would you do? Drive a noisy van until something really breaks, or pony up the cash? I called another shop in town that estimated $2100 for the same rebuild. Of course, the problem could be something simple, but I'm not sure how the mechs will find it without dropping the whole transmission anyway.

 

The metal bits may be from the starter and flywheel especially if some one hit the starter after the engine was running and the gear shift in park or neutral.

Did both tranny shops put it on the lift and listened to it with the trans cover off? If both are noticing the problem then I would rebuild the tranny now and save some money instead of driving it till it blows and cost more to replace parts that otherwise would still be in good shape now. If that bearing freezes up it could shell the transmission housing and cost you a whole lot more money.

 

Thanks for the input, MAR.

I had the tranny rebuilt last week at a cost of $1477 including tax. The mech was a tranny specialist and said that he doesn't do partial internal repairs because one can't be sure where those metal bits are elsewhere in the tranny, or what other damage they've already done. He had good online reviews compared to some other tranny shops in town, so I trusted him.

This was a real punch in the gut after paying only $2600 for the whole van just 6 months ago. A few days into the rebuilt transmission and my problem noise is gone, no new problems have arisen. Let's hope for the best

This is the THIRD auto transmission that I have managed to break. I drive like a gramma - at or under the speed limit, and I brake and accelerate very steadily. I do generally drive crappy vehicles though... my first two failed trannys were in a '96 Blazer 4x4 and a '97 Nissan pickup. I often wish that I could have simple automotive problems like everyone else, haha - flat tire, bad battery, bad alternator, fuel pump - stuff that I can do with a couple of wrenches and an evening in the driveway.

 

I hope he put in ATF+4 fluid in it. Do you know if he did? If he did not it should be changed and the proper fluid put in otherwise there are many threads regarding TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) chatter .

 

That's all fine and dandy, but how did the previous owners of each of these vehicles drive them? If the damage was done before you owned them, then your driving style isn't going to make any difference.