5-speed transmission failure

[canyncarvr]

Hi folks,

I've got an input shaft bearing that's headed south..and it's going fast. It's been whining some for over a year, but it's getting real bad now.

FTR: Whines in neutral, clutch out. Whine stops anytime clutch is depressed. Under power, every gear but 4th whines. I can hear the whine 'spool up' on every downshift except to 4th.

The wonderful Chilton manual says NOTHING about the transmission other than in reference to its removal. Has anyone rebuilt one of these? I see 'kits' on the web from $150-350. If the ad pictures mean anything, it seems to contain only caged roller bearings and one or two needle bearings.

Does the TC simply unbolt? Seeing as this transmission has a split case, can I hope it's as easy into get to as, say, a motorcycle trans?

My experience with manual transmissions comes from working on my '73 Duster: A cast iron case 4-sp with individual rollers for bearings and the main shaft is pulled out the back with the extension housing. It's a PAIN!

I'm HOPING the Tracker/Kick split case trans is relatively simple?

Thanks!

[FireCkrEd]

Here's the lowest cost re-build kit Iv'e seen for the sidekick. Iv'e heard the hardest part is pressing off two bearings and pressing on the new ones, but I havent done it yet although my trans is bad too. Still looking for a replacement trans before I tackle re-building the one I have.

Geo Tracker, Suzuki Sidekick, Synchro & Bearing Kit [CT-BK293WS] - $66.99 : Automatic, Standard Transmission and Transfer Case Rebuild Kits, Cobra Transmission Parts 1-800-293-1848, Cobra Transmission

Ed

[ranger88den]

my Tracker Box 5s 4wd - Page 1 of 1

[ranger88den]

Look at post #12 for a parts link:

2wd trans made to work in a 4wd - Zukikrawlers

[canyncarvr]

Originally Posted by ranger88den

my Tracker Box 5s 4wd - Page 1 of 1

Ahhh....seeing that again, I remember having seen the post before. I don't remember seeing the pics before..those are very good!

Thanks!

[ranger88den]

Originally Posted by canyncarvr

Ahhh....seeing that again, I remember having seen the post before. I don't remember seeing the pics before..those are very good!

Thanks!

Thank the guy that put the time in: xxx

[canyncarvr]

Originally Posted by ranger88den

Thank the guy that put the time in: xxx

Now I understand. The label, 'my Tracker Box 5s 4wd - Page 1 of 1' had me thinking that was your doing. I know there is a long 'xxx' history, thought you might be part of that history.

He knows a ton of stuff. I struggle with his writing at times, though. SOMEtimes I simply do not get it.

Tying a trans to a TREE and trying to separate the TC by yanking on it with a pickup..THAT'S some ingenuity AND hard work right there.

But, yes. Certainly a big 'Thanks!' to XXX and all the other nicks he's been.

[bsrad]

The average transmission rebuild kit that everyone sells does NOT include ALL the bearings. Usually the needle bearings are missing... You may as well replace everything... There are 10 bearings in total -- 4 of them are needle bearings -- and 2 seals. Contact Petroworks and tell them you want a COMPLETE kit (last quote from them was $285 or so). Syncros are $85 for the low-speed and $35 for the high-speed....

Some of the bearings are both Samurai and Sidekick.... some are Sidekick only.

[xxx]

i speak far better (vastly) but typing with bad hands is hard....
x2 needles (most times they are AOK !! even on abused tranny oK)
if it whines in neutral
remove the clutch cable from end bell lever.
feel that lever on bell, lots of normal play? (stoke it F/R feel the T/O bearing hit PP?)
Throw out, hit pressure plate fingers.
yes, tie it back (just incase the spring is bell is bad)
if the whine ends now, it not the tranny , (in neutral, )
if it still whines the cluster bearings are gone. so were mine.

[loosenut]

If it comes to it splitting the tcase and the trans it worked well for me. There is one bolt under the trans shift case ontop of the, and spanning the trans and tcase. Make room for access to bolts by dropping the tail end of the tcase by: removing drive shafts,exhaust, and removing the transfer case cross member. I pulled the dist cap to allow maximum rotation. Support the assembly by strapping the motor or blocking from below or you will squish some vital bits. Hope it doesn't come to it but, instead of a costly and involved rebuild consider a used/boneyard trans. Use Jerry's xxx page and you will have great success with the new search, no lies it works