My '03 coupe 5AT has 76k miles on it and started slipping in 5th occasionally about 8 months ago. I took it to the dealer a few months back, they couldn't find anything wrong and I couldn't reproduce the problem when a tech drove around with me. I ended up having them flush the tranny and put new fluid in, as it was due and I wanted to make sure that a previous owner hadn't put the wrong fluid type in (which I hear will cause perm. damage anyway). The flush didn't seem to have any immediate effect on the problem.

Now, it slips badly in 5th gear (i have to manually downshift to 4th if I need to accelerate, but it stays put if I am just cruising and maintain a constant speed which is almost impossible in LA). There is also a whiny, failing-bearing type noise that intensifies as RPM's raise and isn't there when i rev in neutral, so I'm pretty sure it's a bearing going bad in the tranny. Every other gear is strong and up\downshifts perfectly, so the problem seems isolated to 5th.

Anyway, has anyone had this problem? I suspect the transmission is toast and I'll need a replacement, but it would be cool if just that part of the tranny could be repaired. I assume the 5th gear clutch packs are worn from the increased slipping over time, but I don't see how the bearing is related. Maybe it's two separate problems. The dealer quoted me $5500 over the phone to replace it, but I'm sure I could get a much better deal with a used transmission and a good installer. The car is getting old and the cost for a dealer replacement is half of what I owe on the car. I live in LA (Burbank)... does anyone have a go-to transmission shop that they would trust with their G in Socal?

Advice on what could be wrong and\or repair shop recommendations in the area would be greatly appreciated!

-Chris

 

check with Mextep on here. R&J in Carson....

 

thx.