Rep Power: 0

I just had the clutch on 97 Civic LX replaced, and at the time of repair mechanic said the manual transmission was noisy.

Now, a week later, it has suddenly become a lot more noisy, while I'm driving, especially in lower gears and going uphill. It makes a whirring/chattering sound. The previous sound the clutch repair mechanic mentioned has been the same for a long time without changing or getting worse.

I had a different mechanic check manual transmission fluid level today, and he said it was full. He also said though that it made a whirring sound (I heard it too) when he pressed on the clutch while the car was Not moving.

Are these two noises caused by the same thing, or probably two different sounds?

How do you tell if the car is ok to drive if the transmission is going bad? How many miles can you drive it? Is there anything that can make the transmission last longer?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 518

Sounds like......
Time for a rebuild or replacement.

 
Rep Power: 0

Someone said it could be the input shaft bearing, which can be damaged or be noisy if they don't align things right when they replaced the clutch.

I have 245000 miles on vehicle. Anyone have any similar experience with an input shaft bearing, or had a 'new' used transmission put in? Would they recommend that? and what's the best way to be sure you're getting a decent replacement transmission?

Or is it possible just to replace/repair input shaft bearing? Does that cost less than to replace the whole transmission?

 
Rep Power: 518

At 245k I bet the I/S bearings are toast.
Most need input shaft bearings first. At that mileage, it may easily need more. If you really want to keep the car for a long time, I'd at least fix all the known problems I could while it was apart, even if it isn't a complete overhaul.
Many people wouldn't bother fixing a car with a quarter million miles. It's up to you.

You are looking at a labor charge to pull the trans and put it back, no matter which way you choose to get the job done. About similar to the labor for a clutch job.

Plus labor to take the trans apart and change bearings, plus parts. Ask your mechanic to estimate this.

Can you find a low mileage used trans cheaper than the cost to take apart and fix the old one? (Remember, the labor charge to remove and reinstall the trans should still remain roughly the same.)

Really, the only way to check a used trans (without teardown) is to hear it and drive it before it comes out of the original car. Even then, all you can know is if it was quiet at that time. You can't tell how much life is left in the bearings. Hope it comes with a guarantee.


Something else:
This might be the throwout or pilot bearing. Careful listening is needed to discern which.

 
Rep Power: 0

What about the places that sell used transmissions? They say they test them before selling them, and some offer several year warranties, or even warranties as long as the part lasts. Some even offer a labor warranty, not quite sure what that is.

btw, what year civic do you have?

 
Rep Power: 518

That's a Junkyard. What about 'em?


www.car-part.com

As any reputable business should....

Prices usually increase as the length of the warranty period and coverage goes up.
They have a risk-reward thing going on too.

Their idea of testing might only be that the wheels do, in fact, turn when shifted in gear, with no consideration for unusual noise. I have no idea. I can visualize that driving junk cars on the highway and thorough road testing may be impossible in many situations. Ask them when you call.

That's a joke, right?
Lifetime warranty: Good only for the life of the part.


Labor is what you pay to have someone else do the work.
I don't work for free. Do you?

Some places/warranties only cover the part itself, some may cover parts and labor.

Example of "labor not covered":
You need a used transmission for an Odyssey van.
Trans is a price of $XXXX.xx.
Labor to replace the trans might be $1000 for 10 hours of shop labor. (Yes, that's a real world number, and it might be a bit conservative.)
You pay for the trans and to have the trans installed.
Used trans goes bad 5 months later, well within the warranty period.
They send you another transmission.
You have to pay another $1000 to replace the trans again.

You figure out the value of covering labor on the job you need done. Or maybe it is called risk-reward. IDK.


My personal Civic is a 12 LX.


HTH