Can I Do an In-Car Transmission Rebuild?

A transmission rebuild is a major undertaking, but it can be done at home with the right tools, parts, and knowledge. However, it’s important to note that this is not a job for the faint of heart. If you’re not comfortable working on cars, or if you don’t have the necessary tools, it’s best to leave this job to a professional.

What You’ll Need

Before you start, you’ll need to gather the following tools and parts:

• Transmission rebuild kit
• Transmission jack
• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Socket set
• Wrench set
• Screwdriver set
• Hammer
• Pry bar
• Oil pan
• Transmission fluid

Step-by-Step Instructions

Once you have all of your tools and parts, you can begin the transmission rebuild. Here are the steps:

1. Disconnect the Battery

Before you start working on the transmission, it’s important to disconnect the battery. This will prevent any electrical accidents from occurring.

2. Remove the Transmission

The first step is to remove the transmission from the car. This can be done by following these steps:

1. Raise the car using a floor jack and jack stands.
2. Place the transmission jack under the transmission.
3. Remove the bolts that hold the transmission to the engine and driveshaft.
4. Lower the transmission jack to remove the transmission from the car.

3. Disassemble the Transmission

Once the transmission is removed from the car, you can begin to disassemble it. This can be done by following these steps:

1. Remove the bolts that hold the transmission case together.
2. Carefully separate the transmission case into two halves.
3. Inspect the gears, bearings, and other internal components for damage.

4. Replace the Worn Parts

Once you have inspected the transmission components, you can replace any that are worn or damaged. This can be done by following these steps:

1. Remove the old parts from the transmission.
2. Install the new parts in the transmission.
3. Torque the bolts to the specified specifications.

5. Reassemble the Transmission

Once you have replaced the worn parts, you can reassemble the transmission. This can be done by following these steps:

1. Place the two halves of the transmission case together.
2. Install the bolts that hold the transmission case together.
3. Torque the bolts to the specified specifications.

6. Reinstall the Transmission

Once the transmission is reassembled, you can reinstall it in the car. This can be done by following these steps:

1. Raise the transmission using the transmission jack.
2. Align the transmission with the engine and driveshaft.
3. Install the bolts that hold the transmission to the engine and driveshaft.
4. Torque the bolts to the specified specifications.

7. Add Transmission Fluid

Once the transmission is reinstalled, you need to add transmission fluid. This can be done by following these steps:

1. Remove the dipstick from the transmission.
2. Fill the transmission with the specified amount of transmission fluid.
3. Replace the dipstick.

8. Test Drive the Car

Once you have added transmission fluid, you can test drive the car. This will help to ensure that the transmission is working properly.

Conclusion

Rebuilding a transmission is a complex and time-consuming process, but it can be done at home with the right tools, parts, and knowledge. By following the steps in this guide, you can save yourself a lot of money and get your car back on the road.