when do transmissions wear out

[sonoma driver]

I have 69000 on my truck and I have no idea when or if the previous owner has replaced the clutch or not so approximently how often do you have to replace the transmission parts?

[snoman]

I have 69000 on my truck and I have no idea when or if the previous owner has replaced the clutch or not so approximently how often do you have to replace the transmission parts?

 

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Tranny should last as long as engine of longer if not abused and regularly serviced with oil changes every 30 to 40k or so (more often is HD service like towing) because there is not filter in it as oil gets dirty and little bits of metal in it from wear. I have gotten 200K plus out of my manual boxes in the past and how you shift has a lot to do with it too because the syncronizes wear out first and then the gears can start cruching when shifting and then they can wear quicker from the effect of this crunches. But if you do not tach it out in every gear and snap shift it and down shift all the time too it should last a long time. Since you just got it change fluid in it now to get a fresh starting point.

[sonoma driver]

yeah I hear they last a long time but is there a life expectancy for the pressure plate?

[snoman]

yeah I hear they last a long time but is there a life expectancy for the pressure plate?

 

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Again that is relative to driving habits and use. I have gotten over 200k from OEM clutches but I am easy on clutches and do not slip them much either. If you slip it a lot and use it a lot (slip it a lot in traffic) it will have a shorter life span. Also if you frequently start out on hills and have to slip it a lot to start out it will have a lot shorter life but 100k is about the norm in average use. Short of a presure plate mechical failure, clutches will give a lot of warning when they start to get thin and it is possible to nurse them for a long time with they get that way too with good clutch habits. For long life slip it as little as possible and do not apply much power until it is fully engaged starting out and when shifting.

[ahabofthepequod]

I have 69000 on my truck and I have no idea when or if the previous owner has replaced the clutch or not so approximently how often do you have to replace the transmission parts?

 

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When do transmissions wear out?

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmm!

 

That's a good question.

 

The answer is "at any time".

 

I say that because it depends on a lot of variables such as:

How was the vehicle driven?

Was it use to tow?

Was it raced?

Was it driven mostly on the highway?

Was it driven by a little old lady who only drove it to church on Sunday and the strip on Saturdy?

 

My '76' 4 cyl Mustang (4spd.) had severe trans problems at 80,000 miles. Highway

My '84' S-15 Jimmy had 106,000 miles on it with no problems with the trans (an auto). Highway & city

My '98' Astro work van had the auto replaced at 96,000. Mostly city

My current '95' S-10 has 90,000 miles with no problems. Highway & city

 

So you see there is no set period.

 

That's why I prefer to buy new vehicles that way I know their history.

[sonoma driver]

I know on automatic cars you have to change the transmission fluid. But in my truck owners manual it says for manual trucks you will never need to... Is there any truth to this?

[snoman]

I know on automatic cars you have to change the transmission fluid.  But in my truck owners manual it says for manual trucks you will never need to... Is there any truth to this?

 

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No, you really should at the very least change it once after it breaks in because it is a closed system and any particals from wear or water from condensation stay in the oil. It can make the difference between a tranny that is still quiet and fuctioning well after 100K plus miles and on that get noisy with age. Every 30,000 to 50,000 miles is not a bad interval for changes with 30K or less being used for severe service uses. Basically, when ever you change the rear axle lube, you should do the manual tranny too. THe "no recommanded changes" is a sales feature for marketing yet allowing for a shorter possible lifespan so you have to either get it repaired or buy a new vehical.

[JRW68]

Automatics can last just as long as a manual without any maintenance. It basically comes down to how hard they were driven. Ive seen alot of both go 200,000 miles without any work or any problems.

 

But hand in hand, the manual will probably require a clutch, if abused.... while the auto will generally need alot more just because they get cooked internally. An Auto will run, generally, til they self destruct... a manual wont go if the clutch goes out and generally doesn't harm any other parts along with it.

 

GM hasn't really had a bad automatic tranny since the first few 700r4's where as alot of the other automotive manufacturers have been struggling in this field...

[snoman]

Automatics can last just as long as a manual without any maintenance.  It basically comes down to how hard they were driven.  Ive seen alot of both go 200,000 miles without any work or any problems. 

 

But hand in hand, the manual will probably require a clutch, if abused.... while the auto will generally need alot more just because they get cooked internally.  An Auto will run, generally, til they self destruct... a manual wont go if the clutch goes out and generally doesn't harm any other parts along with it.

 

GM hasn't really had a bad automatic tranny since the first few 700r4's where as alot of the other automotive manufacturers have been struggling in this field...

 

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Myself I have never seen a 200k automatic that has never been serviced (though they may exist) I have seen a lot of 200K or 25year old automatics that still work fine that had been services atleast a few times in their life. Same with manual trannies as the one I have seen that were never serviced usually have bearing or syncro problems well before 200k even if they were not abused. Years ago in the 80's we bought a couple of 4x4 Subaru wagons for my wife before family go too big and Subaru would not honor drive train warranty unless you had a dealer certified manual tranny fluid change within the first 500 miles or so. (Subaru picked up the bill too and if it did not matter they would not have done it) Also, there was actually about 2 major revisions of the 700R4 no counting the first version. In about 84 is was modified to improve cooling problems because in OD, basically no oil was router to cooler and a few other changes too that greatly refined the tranny. In 87 it went thru another major "tweak" to reach its best state minus minor tweaks here and there. A even bigger tranny proble was when in the late 70's and early 80's GM was putting THM200's (meant for 6's) behind V8's in big cars by the boat loads while charging normal THM 350 prices and saying nothing about it. They failed by the bucket loads by GM never admitted any wrong doing officailly.

[JimsZR2]

I'm gonna have to bring out the BS meter on the 200k on an auto tranny. I used to have a 2WD S-10 with a I4 and a automatic and got 60k out of it before the overhaul came in.

 

Manuals are so much better than autos.. I have one in my ZR2.

[gmayer5454375]

Personally, I have had some experience with used cars. Until three years ago, all I could afford was used cars and they all seemed to be autos. Most people don't take the time to service, much less check their automatic trannies. Tranny fluid should be changed regularly. Be careful, one of my used vehicles I changed the tranny fluid and it began slipping, because the previous owner never changed the fluid and it got quite dirty.

I now own a manual and like it so much better. It is easier to change the fluids, which I try to do every year (I drive over 30,000 miles a year.) No matter what you decide to drive, you must keep up with routine maintainance for it to last a while.

[LAVABOY]

Personally, I have had some experience with used cars.  Until three years ago, all I could afford was used cars and they all seemed to be autos.  Most people don't take the time to service, much less check their automatic trannies.  Tranny fluid should be changed regularly.  Be careful, one of my used vehicles I changed the tranny fluid and it began slipping, because the previous owner never changed the fluid and it got quite dirty. 

I now own a manual and like it so much better.  It is easier to change the fluids, which I try to do every year (I drive over 30,000 miles a year.)  No matter what you decide to drive, you must keep up with routine maintainance for it to last a while.

 

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A friend told me that if you ever idle for any length of time with an automatic trans the shifter should be in drive with the parking break on to keep the trans cool and circulate the cooling process????????