Bad transmission, BAD!, Questions about a C52 in a 96 ST Options

[ComaToes]

I have a 96 ST Celica (AT200, 7afe, C52 trans) with just over 81k miles that I have owned for over 10 years. A while back 3rd gear began to grind... as you can imagine 3rd got worse and now it pops out of gear. So, third gear is gone, it's not just the syncro. My questions start with:

How hard is it to pull/rebuild the C52?

Does the C52 come out the top, or the bottom?

IF, even with the low miles, it isn't worth the time/money to rebuild, are there other, better transaxle/transmission options than the C52 that will bolt up to the 7afe and into the ST without modifications?

IF the C52 is the only/best tranny, are there C52's in cars other than the Celica that will bolt up?

Brian

[trdproven]

have you done a scan, maybe its just solenoids need replacement. happened to my celi when it was auto and my camry.

[ComaToes]

have you done a scan, maybe its just solenoids need replacement. happened to my celi when it was auto and my camry.

I guess I should have said that the C52 is manual transmission, but thanks for offering!
Brian

[trdproven]

nah i guess i should have read haha

[BonzaiCelica]

Ya I'm having issues and kinda stuck right now on what to do. I just called a transmission shop and they quoted me $550 (this includes me bringing in the transmission in their hands) for replacing bearings, seals and something else. So that does not include replacing syncros which is what I need. When Shifting from 1st to 2nd at 5,000 rpm my gears grind. Also when downshifting into 2nd gear going 40mph even with me rev matching the engine speed to the gear speed it still grinds. And it grinds a little bit when i downshift into 3rd as well when Im going 70 mph on the freeway. I have a friend who can do it for me for maybe $500.

When you bring in a transmission to a shop is it mandatory that they replace seals and bearings and the basic stuff. Or can I just ask them to rebuild my syncros in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear and be done with it?

I was also thinking about doing the rebuild myself with reading a few books from the library and what not online sourcing as well, do you guys think I'm up for it???

[blu94gt]

I'm usually all for doing things yourself, but from my experience as a mechanic, transmissions are the 1 thing I'll leave to a professional. There's just so many things that could mess it up if not done properly. And I'd recommend if they're already going to have it apart to just replace the seals and such as well, it isn't really any added labor since it's all apart anyways.

[BonzaiCelica]

ah crap really you think its that bad, which one would you say is worse swapping in a new engine (Minus the wiring) or doing a transmission rebuild???

oh wow I think I was in over my head. I do have a lot of tools though(which happens to be my dads) but ya this is an expensive project to say the least. check this out

http://www.ae92gts.com/ae92gts_trans_rb_1.html



This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Oct 19, 2010 - 2:44 AM

[stephen_lee]

its actually not that bad. im rebuilding my E53 and its very similar to the C52, apparently.

[BonzaiCelica]

its actually not that bad. im rebuilding my E53 and its very similar to the C52, apparently.

yes OK. Id wouldn't mind doing the rebuild it would be my first time doing a major project. the most technical thing I did with a buddy(which was where he was the knowledgeable one) was changing my clutch. Which didn't seem to bad once I saw it. But isn't replacement parts somewhere in the ballpark of $400???

Can someone confirm this list of other toyota vehicles with c52 transmission:

Toyota MR2 AW11 (1st Generation with 4ag-ze)
Toyota Corolla AE101 with 4afe engines!
C56 transmission Corolla 4age either silvertop or blacktop.
Geo Prizm 1990-1992
C56 Transmission 7th Gen Toyota Celica and MRS Spyder with 1zz-fe?

C52 :

1st: 3.166
2nd: 1.904
3rd: 1.310
4th: .969
5th: .815
Reverse: 3.250
Final Drive: 3.722

C56:

1st: 3.166
2nd: 1.904
3rd: 1.392
4th: 1.031
5th: .815
Reverse: 3.250
Final Drive: 4.312



I'm going to start looking in junkyards! whats the difference in the final gear ratio would it be better for racing right, the car would pick up a bit quicker

This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Oct 19, 2010 - 10:43 PM

[njccmd2002]

just get one from ebay, if you will end up with a swap dont throw your money away buy something that will get you there, even if its a plastic one.