2007 Acura TL Type S
6MT
115k miles

Alright, so, after doing extensive research via the search button, google, etc. It seems as though it is time for a rebuild / new transmission.

The shop it's at right now is suggesting a full rebuild. As, coincidentally, these cars are so rare that used units are difficult to come by. Only things I can find have 100k+ miles or just plain gear sets.

The symptoms are gears that sound like a baseball card on a bicycle tire, it's worst when downshifting letting off the gas. Noise is non-existent with the clutch pedal pushed in. This is just all so strange to me, being that, I don't beat on the car.

At this point, I've accepted the ill fate of my 6 speed... I'm just looking for ideas on places that rebuild / offer remanufactured / new units, because as I previously stated, I can only find 1-2 in the entire country and they have high mileage..

Any help is appreciated!

 

For these transmissions to go like that is rare indeed, that is, unless it was driven recklessly. I'd throw in new clutch and flywheel in there while your at it.

Hope that rebuilder knows WTF they're doing!
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If the gears were the problem wouldn't it make noise all the time? Even if depressing the clutch. Sounds like either a worn pilot bearing, clutch of flywheel.


If the gears were problematic it would make the same noise with clutch depressed since the gears are constantly moving.

 

+1 ^

 

Could quite possibly be the throw-out bearing. My throw-out bearing was shot and it was causing it to rub on the fingers of my pressure plate. Made it sound like a cricket was chirping but it would only go away when the clutch was in.

 

Just be sure to get a second opinion before you open the wallet. As it was said previously you would think the gears would grind all the time.

 

OR flywheel....

 

is it pilot bearing or throw out bearing?
but this is the bearing that im referring to.

 

Idk if the set up is the same on the TL's but Im in a 2G CL and I have a pilot bearing in the center of my fly wheel and then a throw-out bearing that pushes the pressure plate.. The throw out was the issue for me

 

So it's a clicking sound, and not a howling noise? With a honda manual, I'd think the first items to go would be synchros, shift forks, or the collar sleeves. Those typically are symptomatic of grinding when shifting, or hard to put in gear/won't go in gear.

A clicking (that's what I think of when you say baseball card on a bicycle tire) seems that it would be external to the transmission. My first thought would be the throwout bearing, then the pressure plate, since the issue disappears when you push the clutch in.

Have you had the clutch replaced yet? 115K is absolutely nothing for a honda manual - my car has 235K and the only issue I have is that it won't go into gear at high rpms in 3rd or 4th. Even that could be clutch related though.

 

You're looking for rough estimate in price. Here's what I experienced.

The trans went out twice in my Odyssey. Honda replaced it the first time and I had it rebuilt the second time. When I had it rebuilt, I bought a Master Rebuild Kit from a company by the name of Transtar near me in Cincinnati. The cost was $200 or so. I took the trans to Skeeterbuilt Transmissions. He builds/rebuilds trans and gearboxes for pulling diesels, motocross, drag cars, basically everything. He charged me $350 with no warranty. I did not have the electronics replaced and he did not install the trans back into the Oddy. I wouldn't want my warranty to cover the work of someone else, so no big deal to me.

All told, I spent $600 and half a day twice, counting trans fluid during reinstall. It took me 4 hours to get it out and 5 hours to put it back. What you actually pay will be different because yours is manual and you are in Detroit.

I would side with the shop that has your trans now as far as the rebuild. It's better to replace everything while they're in there, rather than replace the noisy gear and have the whole thing shit itself because you wanted to save $100. Isn't that the whole reason we replace the water pump and pulleys when we replace the timing belt? And +1 on replacing clutch kit. You might get away with just turning the flywheel, rather than replacing it.

My whole point it this: There ARE options. The dealership is not the only place to have work done you can't do yourself.

Best of luck.

For the curious: I've put over 30K on the trans. No issues. Chirps second at WOT still.

 

Dual Mass flywheels like the ones in the 3G TL are not resurfaceable! Take it from someone who's been there, if you replace the clutch, replace the flywheel! You'll be a whole lot happier later on if you do.
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If, once you get it taken apart, you do find out the transmission needs to be rebuilt, you should consider sending the main shaft and the countershaft to Syncrotech to have them rebuilt. They do pretty good work, and you only have to send them those two shafts rather than the whole transmission.


Be forewarned though, they replaced one of my gears because they said it was bad, and they used a used one (that was in good shape) to replace it. Just make sure you're not charged for a new one.


Here is their site: Synchrotech - Honda & Acura Transmissions