Transmission fluid is lookin' ugly

TwistedCU

TwistedCU

New member
Well the Jeep started making a faint rattling noise in 5th gear this morning and it was louder on the way home, so I just stayed in 4th gear.
Although I bought some Pennsoil Synchromesh a while ago, I hadn't yet changed the fluid :oops: and I think I'm paying for it now. I must have taken on some H2O in there the last time I went wheelin' because the fluid is like the "chocolate milk" I read about on here and I see some brass in it too. The drain plug has a magnet built in to it and it was mounded with crud. It's just about done draining, and I'm gonna fill her up here in a few minutes. Man I hope I didn't trash my transmission by procrastination, but it doesn't look good. With a little (maybe alot) of luck maybe she'll be ok, but if not, what should I do - rebuild or remanufactured? I assume the only replacement would be another AX-5?

I can't say I wasn't warned of this. There's been plenty of threads about it. :(
 

Yes, about the only replacement is the AX5. Give it a week or so with the Penzoil Synchromesh and see if it doesn't get better. If it doesn't, put in Redline MT90 and it'll most likely do the trick.
 
go with a reman jasper unit... i jsut blew my secone gear in my trans and i called them up and all they said was to take a few measurements and readings and there gunna ship me a new trans, also they pay the shops 55 and hr to do the labor and if u do it urself they pay u 25 and hr, not a bad deal....
 
i found chunks of plastic in mine!!!! not sure what it was but after i changed the fluid it shifted fine.
 

Shifting into 2nd was always rough when she was cold, but the loud rattling in 5th is what has me a little freaked out. I looked for that Redline MT90 and didn't see it. Do you get it online?
Hey Jeepin916, what did the transmission cost you if you don't mind me asking?
 
Well... I changed the fluid and it was no help. I was hoping it would be at least a little quieter, but if anything, it's just louder. Only in 5th gear. 1st thru 4th shift better than it ever has, but 5th sounds like something is going to explode. Any body know if an AX15 will work on my 4 banger? I might be able to get one for next to nothing.
 

the ax15 will work on a 4 banger if you use a bellhousing from certain dakotas.... i think it was bounty who provided us with a link at one time for that swap....

no... synchromesh and redline will be no help to your problem here... if you are grinding, getting hard shifts, or SHIFT related problems, they are usually the answer... but.... if you are getting a RATTLE... that means something is broke... time for a change.... i found my ax15 on ebay for $300... and got plenty of extras to go with it... look around, a local yard here wanted $500... but there are remans on ebay for about 7-800
 
Yes, 4banger Dakota used the AX15 so it's the bellhousing you want, even better if you can find the transmission and bellhousing together, as long as it can mate to your transfer case.

Otherwise, get another AX5 and use Redline from day1.
 
best yet.... ax15, dakota bellhousing, and take a leak on the owners manual where it says to use standard gear oil...

one thing... if you DO use the ax15, the gear ratios are higher... you'll lose some power, much like having larger tires
 

hey twisted it was alittle over 800 bucks, and it hink it was worth it, there paying me a few hours to take mine out and put a new one back in so its all good and i have fun doing that anyway so its not really a pain or anything
 
since were in the business of tranys,,, does anyone know where i can get a shift kit for my trans? im going to be rebuilding a 6cyl automatic jeep trans, its the 904 that they use in the newer wranglers and some older wranglers. im going to rebuild mine with all better clutch plates and better material or what ever i can find thats better. i want a nice smooth shift and no laging between shifting. any info will help.. thanks guys
 
I had a local trans. shop check out the transmission, and he said it needs to be rebuilt (what a shocker :roll: ). This guy said minimum $900 and as much as $2K! I told him thanks but no thanks.
 

SO I guess I'm going to look into Jasper like Jeepin916 did. I'll probably have someone else put it in. I don't have a garage, most of the jacks and big tools I used to do my suspension were borrowed, and when you factor in weather and my utter lack of spare time it seems to make it worth paying for it. Before I check into Jasper tomorrow, anybody have any other suggestions for a replacement? I'm pretty comfortable with Jasper's reputation and warranty, but checking around can't hurt!
 
the jeep manual transmissions are not worth rebuilding... you can get a factory rebuilt one for the same price or less
 

exhaust

Jasper wants $2180 for one plus $550 core and that does NOT include labor. Again, thanks but no thanks. I have a guy whoe will do it with a clutch for $1400. That's the lowest price I've gotten in 2 days, and I'm going there now.
 
Pick up a used transmission for under $500, it may last the life of the jeep.

I installed a $125 AX5 with high mileage and it shifts great with Redline.
 
used is the way to go.... the only thing you have to worry about is "WHY is it out of another vehicle? did the same thing happen?" but.. if it is a decent transmission.. then the right oil should last you the life of the jeep
 

yes twisted it was an automatic. if they ask you if you have any work done to your jeep say no, they solmetimes ask if you have oversized tires on the car, they will strain the transmission and make it wear out faster
 
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