Transmission Rebuild Worth It?

Hi all, I have an 09 TRD Sport with 115k original miles. I have had some previous discussion on here surrounding the annoying shudder we sometimes get around 30mph when accelerating. Well I am here to update y'all that it's not always just the torque converter like everyone thought....

After driving it around in 4th for the last few months to get by around town, I got on the highway and put it into DRIVE to test things out. It accelerated fine initially, but when I would coast to slow down then press the gas again, it wouldn't re-accelerate unless I slipped it back in 4th. I took it to a shop and they said the transmission needs to be replaced and recommended sourcing a used one. Long story short I took it to a transmission specialist and they had the same conclusion: Needs a new tranny due to a cracked accumulator piston

Option 1:The specialist is offering to rebuild it and thanks to some insurance and warranty coverage I would only have to pay $900 out of pocket for the rebuild.

Option 2: They source a remanufactured one and install for total of $2000 out of pocket after insurance and warranty coverages.

My question to the thread, which is a better option? I'm trying to save money but also make the right play here. Let me know your reasoning, thank you.

 

Always get the new one. The rebuild is a band-aid for when money is tight.

 

Have you tried a Total Tranny Flush first ? Would be cheaper and needs to be done by a Toyota A Tech first for about $200-$300 !

 

I flushed it 30,000 miles ago. Asked the specialist to do a total flush and they found some metal...

 

I should have clarified. It wouldn't be "new" cause you can no longer source these from Toyota, but rather a remanufactured one. Any red flags with this route I should be wary of?

 

1- take anything in here as a suggestion from internet dudes, shit we could be AI.
2- follow with specialty shop recommendations and make sure they warranty their work.(since I am almost sure you pay for diagnostic)
3- new is better no doubt.
4- do you plan to keep this vehicle for a long time?

Again sorry to hear you’re in this predicament and hopefully you get to wheel it soon. Cheers!

 

The remans are tested and certified and should be just as good as brand new. While a rebuild from the guy you know can be just as good, it's rarely the case. 99% of the time they cut a corner somewhere and then that part also fails and you're back to where you are now.

 

Imo I’d go with the reman. The biggest issue with a rebuild is that the rebuild is only has good as the person doing it and if the tranny guy doesn’t take 100% pride is his work it won’t be any good.

 

TBH, it depends on the shop. A good transmission shop that does a proper rebuild will have it as good as new. The problem is finding a good shop...

 

I was looking to pick up a trans from a yard and have it rebuilt to keep on hand. The place I got good recommendations for wanted almost 3x as much as everywhere else... More than the cost of a quality warrantied reman in the case of the A750F.

Good trans shops are hard to find these days and seem to know it.

 

I just checked and a brand new transmission is $4k? Maybe $600-700 to install? If you want to keep your truck for years, and its not a rust bucket, get a brand new trans.

 

How about a crash truck where tranny did not get damaged like a roll over or something ? Low milage and check vehicle maint history ?

 

Option 1 seems like a no brainer, less money and quality rebuild.

 

If you're going to trade within a few years take the cheapest route. If you're keeping it for another 100K, buy a new one.