I am removing a 3 speed auto trainne from our 280zx (1983) due to the reverse not engaging. Due to both not finding one in a junk yard and the high cost to have it done professionally ($600 to $1,600) we have decided to rebuild it ourselves. I can get the kit (clutch bands, seals, gaskets, etc) for about $117.00 which includes the manual. Has anybody done a rebuild? If so I would appreciate any suggestions as I have never done it (I have rebuilt engines). It is a bear getting the trainne out (we have 4 more bolts & then we drop it). I am writing this at lunch just before we drop it. Looking for suggestions and recommendations on the overhall. Thanks

 

Yikes! wait... lemme just make sure I read that right.... You want to rebuild an auto tranny yourself? I cringe just thinking about it. There's a reason why shops charge $1k to rebuild auto trannies.

Manual trannies are enough pain... I couldn't even imagine doing an auto overhaul!

have you already tried www.car-parts.com for a used one??????? I just looked on there & it lists a ton of 280zx auto trannies for cheap!

 

No I haven't checked out the web site you referenced, but for grins I will do so. What I didn't mention is I found a trannie shop where I can do it myself (he will only give guidance). I already have the kit $100.53. I have already rebuilt numerous engines. No Z's yet but am thinking of rebuilding an extra engine I have & beafing it up. Don't want to go to a Cheve 350.

 

On the front bottom driver's side of the tranny, There is a bolt that holds the dust shield on. You need to pry the trans and engine apart a little to get that bolt out so the tranny can be seperated. It is behind the torque converter and blocks the very front of the trans. I found out about that little bastard the hard way.

 

ANY REASON YOUR NOT GOING TO THROW IN A FIVE SPEED

 

I thought about replacing the auto with a 5 speed (I currently have an extra one with all the conversion parts). However, this car is going to my oldest son & is to be a daily driver to work and I am saving the 5 sp for me later or to be used if my youngest son (he currently has a 5 sp) if he needs a replacement. The conversion is easier I am told from stick to auto than the reverse. You have to change the computer, flywheel,clutch etc, driveshaft and several other things. I would rather suffer learning to rebuild an auto (I guess I'm a massacest "poor spelling") besides how will one learn if one doesn't try something new.

 

I Understand

 

Exactly

Besides, if it's a bad trans anyways, what have you got to lose but a little bit of time and you'll gain some experience. Plus if you're doing it in a shop then the odds of you not being able to do it with a professional watching over you are pretty slim.

 

Well the trannie is all appart & cleaned. However, we are waiting for 2 parts that also need to be replaced then the rebuilding process begins. For those with automatics you need to make sure the tank at the bottom of your radiator isn't leaking water into the trannie coolent lines as the water once it gets into the trannie will strip the bands & screw up the trannie (that's what happened to our trannie). It looks like the parts alone will add up to about $200. That's not counting the torque converter (water damaged the clutch) which is another $125. Boy it just keeps getting better, but when done it will be like a new trannie. Point of info do not rev up the engine & shift into drive (it will break one of the rings which is cast iron steel) that apparently happened also. More later.

 

So thats what happened to my moms mini van

 

I really did'nt do much of the rebuild (mostly cleaning of parts & assembling a few small things). The guy is real cool as he hadn't worked on a Nisson before, but said a trannie is a trannie. Water had gotten into the trannie & torque converter (water will steam & cause the paper that's on the clutches to come off) and screwed up both items. I took the converter to a small shop & it cost $125 to rebuild. I paid $100 for the rebuild kit. Had to replace the R. planet $35 and the piston was bad & that cost $10. For his assistance $155 for a total cost of $425.00. I had gotten estimates of $600 to $1,600 at other trannie shops and I think with the extra stuff we had to do at the other places it would have gone to the high end cost. WORD OF WARNING: If you have an automatic check the trannie fluid regularly as water can leak into the bottom pan of the radiator where the fluid flows thru & screw up your trannie. Now all I have to do is reinstall it & see what happens. However, I have a few other things to do first.