6G Celicas Forums

98 Celica 5SFE manual transmission issues

I'm looking for a bit of feedback on some issues I've recently had. A bit before Christmas I noticed a minor transmission leak under the driver's side CV axle. As this repair is beyond my abilities I did some research and found a local shop that had great reviews online. I took it in and they said the driver's side CV seal was leaking and said they could replace it. I'm not sure how it came up but I asked about replacing both and they said it wouldn't cost much more to do both. Anyway, I got a call a bit later that day that they found that the driver's side CV axle was damaged and had been replaced before. They said it looked like someone may have installed it wrong or something. They also said that it had in some way damaged an area where it goes into the transmission but that they were pretty sure they could use a hone to clean it up and they would recommend doing that. My total repair cost for the replacement driver's side CV, new seals on both sides, plus an oil change and install of the front brakes I provided cost me about $600.

I got the car back and went on a 2500 mile trip and about 800 miles in noticed a slight vibration in the car. A feeling almost like you're on a slightly bumpy road but the roads were smooth. After the trip I took the car back to the shop and they checked it out again. I called them later that day for an update and they told me it was ready and to be aware that the driver's side CV seal was seeping a little bit, and that I should have them keep an eye on it when I have the oil changed. When I got home I looked under the car where I park and saw a good deal of transmission fluid which had accumulated over the past two weeks. I then looked at the paperwork the shop gave me and a few pages in were the mechanics notes which described the car as leaking severely from both CV seals. A pretty different spin than I was given in person.

I went back to the shop and spoke with the owner. He took the car for a test driver but didn't notice the slight vibration but did say that he looked at the car and it was "leaking tremendously" from both seals and it shouldn't be driven. He said the next option would be to have them remove the transmission and either open it up to repair or replace it. Both sound like expensive options and I'm a bit upset that I took the car in for a minor leak and now I have two big leaks and a vibration. The owner also mentioned the vibration is likely caused by that CV shaft flopping around or moving slightly. What do you guys think? I'm not sure how much money I can put into these repairs.

http://www.car-part.com/mobile/

Best site ever haha checks junk yards within whatever your driving range is. Tells mileage and price as wel

Great site. Looks like the best around here is a 1999 5sfe with 160k for $385, only 50 miles away. Seems like. A lot of miles on it though. Mine only has 133k.

what kind of access to tools do you have? Would you not venture out?

Its about 3 hours to drop and 4 hours to put in tranny, give or take, well thats what a shop would do. multiply that by the going rate.... 95 Hr at least around here..

that plus the cost of oil, seals and incidentals....

I have a set of craftsman mechanics tools, lots of sockets, screwdrivers etc but nothing fancy or air powered. I've done some basic car repairs like brakes, valve cover gaskets, and recently a fuel injector but that's about the extent of my experience so far. Somehow a transmission seems daunting to me, I've never removed CVs or any suspension parts.

I was able to get a quote today from a local shop. They said they would install a transmission I provide for $575, replace the clutch' pressure plate, and release bearing for an additional $290 resurface the flywheel for $45, and replace the rear main seal for another $20. So a bit less than $1000 plus my cost of the transmission. The best local transmission I found is about 50 miles away but has 162k on it. It comes with a 60 day guarantee but that obviously doesn't cover my cost of having it removed/installed if it has issues. Seems a bit risky to me so I'm not sure what to do. My folks have loaned me their old Miata so at least I don't have to rush into this decision.

That sounds like robbery. It's exactly the same as a clutch job so if you call and get an estimate to replace your clutch, there's your true price. I could do it for you, as could several members from the Midwest Meet. It's just a long road trip from Iowa.

Hmm... I already drove it back from gulf shores with the issue as it still drives okay so I'm not against a road trip! You guys work for beer/food?

I would definitely trust it in the hands of Daniel instead of that shop.

I don't drink but I will take payments in gum.

Gum sounds very affordable!

Midwest meet/parking lot trans service??

Fastest trans swap ever. Burgers included.

At one meet a few years ago, they had to use tools to flip the burgers because nobody brought a spatula. We can literally do it all in the same place at the same time.

we used starting fluid to start a fire and cook hot dogs last year. hahahah

Ill never forget the meet where the 3s blew up. That was interesting

That was my bad. I brought the grill but the utensils weren't in the box with it! We managed with a short 17 wrench, pliers, and some tortilla chips, but only because Stacey (spelling) is amazing.


It went from using a lot of oil to using a lot of oil pretty fast, didn't it?

Here's a bit of an update. I paid to have the local Toyota dealership take a look at the car. They said that the inner joint of the left axle shaft is not sliding back and forth and seems to be wedged in place. They said that would cause the vibration I experienced as the axle shaft couldn't move in/out as needed for suspension travel. They also thought that could cause the axle seal on that side to leak but weren't certain if that would cause the other side to leak as well.

Anyway, I contacted the original shop with this information and they have agreed to replace the axle shaft again and both CV seals at no charge to me. I'm hopeful this will resolve the issue.

that's great news! hope it all goes well and you can be on the road once again soon.

its too bad you are having so much issues.


one thing i want to point out. the shop that wanted to charge you 290 to replace the clutch and associated components while the trans is out is fraud. the 575 to install a trans you provide is already too high, but at that point the trans is already out. changing the clutch will take 10 minutes. it should have been free.

this is common when you take the car to have a clutch installed and new flywheel. they double dip you. x amount for the clutch and y for the flywheel. its already apart, should be one job, one fee.

I dont do this when i work on someone else's car. changing a clutch and flywheel is one price.

Well, the shop replaced the CV axle and both seals for no cost so hopefully things will be okay now. However, I think I may just buy something newer as I really need something reliable for a daily driver, I don't mind a project here and there but when it's my only car it becomes a bit challenging. As spring is quickly approaching it's probably a good time to sell a vert. I'll have to get it cleaned up and find it a new home.

and thats the end of another story. so sad you have decided to sell your car....