Transmission-repair or replace?

[TapOut64]

My Explorer has 190,000 miles on it which are mostly freeway miles. I've been leaking transmission fluid for sometime now and one repair shop told me it would be around $750 to replace all seals and gaskets but with my high miles he thought that that would be a waste of money and that I should just replace the transmission for around $2,000. My only problem is the fluid leaking and what I believe is a factory defect with the transmission. (if going up hill with cruise on say at 65mph the transmisson will downshift with a strange noise coming from the transmission-kinda like the sound you hear going over rumble strips) Other than the transmission slipping when the fluid gets too low I don't have any problems. Is it a waste of money to put $750 into a transmission with 190,000 miles? Once again, mostly freeway miles. I'll probably keep the Explorer for a while and I average around 25-30,000 miles per year. (I use it for work but may be getting a company car soon-my 14 year old daughter has called dibs on it) Any input would be greatly appreciated. I don't know much about transmissions but if you have any questions about repairing medical x-ray equipment I'm you man.

I had a 89 Chevy Blazer that I put 310,000 on in around 10 years (and still sold it for $1,000) but it had a manual transmission so I'm an auto transmission noob.

[Austin8214]

Well first of all I don't see any reason to replace your tranny with a new one. I think if it were me I would find a good transmision shop in your area and just have them rebuild the one you have in it. With 190,000 on the trans now it would just be good preventive maintenance to rebuild the trans. But I do urge you to find a good trans shop. I would think a good shop could put a rebuild on your trans for about 1,500 to 1,700 dollars and it would be good as new. Also make sure they give you at least a 12,000 mile warrenty on the rebuild.

[Zgringo]

Originally Posted by Austin8214

Well first of all I don't see any reason to replace your tranny with a new one. I think if it were me I would find a good transmision shop in your area and just have them rebuild the one you have in it. With 190,000 on the trans now it would just be good preventive maintenance to rebuild the trans. But I do urge you to find a good trans shop. I would think a good shop could put a rebuild on your trans for about 1,500 to 1,700 dollars and it would be good as new. Also make sure they give you at least a 12,000 mile warrenty on the rebuild.

Very good advice. Forget the other guy, he just wants to rip you off. Find a good shop. Ask around and then get some advice. You can get a rebuilt one with transfer on the internet for around $1,300 plus shipping.

[curtis73]

I agree with a rebuilt stock tranny. Chances are the "new" one is just a rebuilt stocker anyway; which is just as good if not better than a new one from a Ford Parts counter.

Make SURE your rebuild includes a new lockup converter. The rumble strip chatter you're hearing is a very common Ford problem. Its the lockup clutches in the TC wearing out. They wear and then start to chatter as they engage.

Find a good shop. You should be able to have a good stock rebuild done for $600 plus the labor to remove and replace. If you don't have a lot of time to let the shop have it for a week, you could buy a rebuilt tranny for about the same amount and have a shop put it in. The tranny will probably cost $900 with a $250 core charge or something.

Remember, Ford had that tranny manufactured for them by the lowest bidder. The internals are by no means the best. A good local shop buys brand-name performance internals and rebuilds your tranny to better-than-stock specs.