Had to choose between a junkyard transmission or rebuilding mine this weekend

My 94 Civic wouldn't go into 2nd gear anymore, so I was looking at a $250 junkyard pull with 180k miles on it versus spending $400 on a rebuild kit and doing it myself in the garage. I went with the rebuild because I figured I'd learn something and know exactly what's in there. Took me about 10 hours across Saturday and Sunday, but I got it back together and it shifts smooth now. Anyone else ever tackled a transmission rebuild on a budget or just swap in a used one?

2 comments

2 Comments

susan_wells18d ago

That rebuild kit for $400 sounds like the smarter play honestly. I had a similar situation with my old truck's automatic, the thing started slipping in 3rd gear. Found a used one for $150 but it had 200k on it and I just didn't trust it. Spent a weekend tearing mine down, replaced the clutches and seals for about $300. Took me closer to 12 hours but man, nothing beats that feeling when it finally shifts right. You saved yourself the headache of pulling another junker that might crap out on you in a few months.

pipera5018d ago

And it's funny you mention that, because I feel like that whole mindset is disappearing in a LOT of areas. People just toss stuff and buy new now instead of learning how things work. My neighbor threw out a perfectly good dryer last month over a $10 belt, didn't even want to try. Same with my sister's coffee maker, she bought a new one because the old one "made a weird noise." I took it apart, cleaned out a clogged valve, and it's been running fine for two years now. It's like we've forgotten that fixing things gives you a tiny bit of control back in a world where everything feels disposable.