Need Help Putting 98 Convertible Completely Back To Stock Options

[TangledHeart]

Hey All
I have a 98 Convertible 5 speed, Black on Black
I am trying to just clean it up a bit by replacing parts and trying to return it back to complete OEM parts. I know this isn't the forum for selling, (cuz I already checked that out) but I thougt maybe I could get some direction. You have nooooooooooooooo hard it is to find even a single 6 gen car in a wrecking yard! It took me threeeeee months to find a air filter box so I could pass smog. The guys that owned it before me, did Mickey Mouse shizz throughout the car... Sad They couldn't figure out how to get the left rear window to work correctly, so they just frikken put a bolt in the track to hold it up.
Any way... Thanks in advance P
Oh, maybe someone can help me, my tranny started getting weird. It was whining in 5th. Now, as of today, it started making kinda 'clicking' noise. It seems like maybe it's tranny related, because as soon as I disengage the clutch, it isn't there. or if it is, it is very faint. When I first noticed it, it gave me the feeling of how it feels when you get a flat, and when it's airing down, you hear the sound of the road??? I dunno if that makes any sense, but I actually stopped and checked my tire.
ANY help of ANY kind would be greatly appreciated! I love my car and am limited on funds, but I figure I can do a little at a time... Peace ya'll

[MaskedMan]

Hello. What exactly are you are trying to change back to OEM? Where in California are you?

[b22ri22an]

if its a whirring noise while in gear then it goes away when you push the clutch in it may be the clutch release bearing showing some age

[Smaay]

the throw out bearing makes noise when you push on it, so this sounds opposite.

and where in CA are you?

[TangledHeart]

Hey all, thanks for replying! I have been buried with computer issues or I would have gotten back to you earlier.
I currently live in Glendora 210 & 57
I took my car in to a transmission shop on Monday. He said it was 5th gear. I also have a cracked CV axle boot, so I also have that wonderful sound of grinding metal! It was leaking just a bit until my pop decided to take it to a local shop and have the tranny drained and refilled. NOT something I would have done, but I know he meant well. Regardless, it is now completely dry, as is the tranny. I swear, I have had such a hard time finding someone honest to work on it, I had the waterpump, timing belt, idler arm, and engine seal replaced, May 2011($480). I noticed it was leaking only a couple months later, so I brought it back and left it overnight. When I got it back, he claimed he did a pressure test, and there were no leaks. Well, I beg to differ, but I had gotten myself into helping a sister from another mother, and was knee high in her and her family shizz till she left, last Nov. She and her husband were using my car, WAAAAY more then I would have liked, but I'm a sucker for helping this that need it. I was having all kinds of issues with my car, and found out she and her husband were driving it hard and not giving an ounce of concern to how they were driving someone elses car. Since they left, I had a major tune up done, and valve cover gasket replaced. When I picked my car up TWO days and $430 later(was told estimate of $280), my water was low, engine oil not changed and low, and it was still misfiring. I was in need of a smog test, but had to replace the air leaner box and hoses. Took 3 months to find! During this time, I realized the valve cover was leaking, and couldnt get it to pass smog. When I took it back to the guy that was supposed to have done the work, he Mickey Moused the EGR solenoid. I wasnt aware what he had done until I called after the light went on, and he told me to undo the battery and drive it 50 miles before I go to try to smog it again. It still failed and had the EGR as the reason! I was livid...and still not smogged...
Ok, so there it kind of is....I have been jacked around let and right. I am on limited income since I also got jacked in my divorce. I know a lot, but unfortunately haven't the ability to do the repairs myself or I would. I am pretty handy with fixing things, which leads to the OEM stuff. I need a LOT of things beginning with the stoppers on the roof, where the top comes down. They had been forced closed, and ended being tweaked, as a result the top doesnt close completely lined up. I need a rear drivers side window switch for the console. I took my console off when I had intermittent rear passenger side window issues. I read in a forum to take the switch out and clean the gunk that builds between the contacts in the rocker switch. I did it with both, but in taking the drivers side switch apart, I accidentally cracked it. It would work, but I wont put an electrical part back half done.
I got smart and removed my cigarette lighter because the housing was broken a little. I figured I would just replace it. NOT! Try finding an OEM lighter!
Then there is the arm rest/center console hinge I need. I have a padded one and they are notorious for breaking because of the weight. I could go on, but I think if I say I would like to just replace all the trim on the console, (they painted the wood kit black and its breaking off, exposing yuck underneath) the rear drivers side window track and I think motor, I need to check more closely. I would like to get an OEM carpet kit(black) if I can get a descent price. As you can see, I'm pretty much a stickler on OEM. I wont replace anything with aftermarket unless absolutely necessary. There's a lot of little things I am spacing on coming up with to list, but just the mentioned will be a tremendous help, and ANY leads to honest mechanics???
OPINIONS please, transmission, stock rebuilt 6 months($1,200 + axle $95), or used 6 months($900 + axle $95)??

This post has been edited by TangledHeart: Oct 24, 2013 - 2:12 PM

[TangledHeart]

Ok, so it's May and I'm STILL having problems!
Every shop I went to seemed to have found another supposed problem. It was realllllly frustrating. Since my cousin has worked on Toyotas for over 30 years and has even built Toyota race cars, I had him take a look and give me a complete list of what needed to be done so I was equipped with the correct information and could finally just get it done.
I ended up taking it to a shop I had work done before, because I trusted them to do what needed to be done and not keep changing the story as to what needed work. I had the clutch replaced and the transmission replaced with a fresh salvage. They were supposed to have put in a Oil Pump, and lot of other things that never got done. The guy that worked on it was a flake. The owner of the shops son, one who had worked on my other cars before, pimped his buddy out to do the work. I didn't realize at that time of how things were. It was and still is a nightmare. All the work was done half arse and incomplete! WHAT A BIG MISTAKE! Sighhhhhhhhhhh
There has been 3 guys since, that have worked on it. I have put out a vast fortune and and getting so worn out. I still have massive leaks, the transmission pops out of gear in 5th won't go back in unless I rev up the RPMS, and then it slips back out once they drop.
I almost have to redline it just to get it into 5th. I drive mostly freeway, so it's a big problem.
The last shop replaced the front wheel bearing and hub, but is saying it needs an axle seal and the rack and pinion leaks. They are trying to convince me it needs to be rebuilt and I call BS! This is the second transmission, and BOTH transmissions have had the same exact issues. The reason for the replacement to begin with was I was told fifth gear was gone and the trans needed to be rebuilt of replaced, due to the identical symptoms.
Now, after going through this nightmare, I question if that was even the case. I have done hours and hours of research, and I see nothing that leads me to think its the 5th gear, or any other gear for that matter. It drives amazing and can knock the chonies off just about anyone I decided was annoying.. Hey, I might be a girl, but I WILL put someone in their place if they get too cocky.
That being said, I NEED HELP trying to figure out the REAL issues with the tranny, and would reallllllly appreciate any advice and experienced input. I appreciate opinions, but I am to the point where mechanics playing the guessing game is just not acceptable! I'm in So Cal, Glendora area, if anyone is near here and maybe can suggest an HONEST and KNOWLEDGEABLE transmission tech, I would be thrilled! I respect that a good mechanic earns a good wage and have never tried to work them or expected them to work or peanuts, so I don't understand why it is that I can't find one that can actually be straight up with me. I don't claim to know it all, but I will offer every bit of information I have on MY CAR, in order to help diagnose it, and that seems to get their egos flared. If I had the physical ability to do it myself, I would have already done it.... Oh ya, my ABS light is on..ANY ideas?
I would just like to get this figured out and fix the real issue instead of going round and round. Selling my car is NOT an option, but one more thing that keeps coming up with these guys.
Peace y'all
~ LQQKING forward to some educated input~ ASK me ANYthing and I will tell you straight up if I am able.


This post has been edited by TangledHeart: May 23, 2014 - 5:43 AM

[njccmd2002]

what can we tell you, it sucks you have all these problems, but its hard to diagnose a car in the forums. unfortunately it may be time to let go of the car, since you cannot find a reputable mechanic to do the job. Thats why most in here would rather do the job ourselves. thats how I learned.

either you keep paying people to do the jobs they are doing, you learn yourself or call it quits...

easiest thing to do is change the transmission my self. but then again, id do a swap. but being in california, your options are limited. sorry, plain trught

[TangledHeart]

I just changed the transmission in November... IF I could do it myself, believe me I would. It's not even paying someone else that bugs me. Although funds are tight and getting tighter after each gets their piece of what I had, it is the mere fact that they don't seem to be willing really hear what I try to share. They already have it set in their mind to replace it, I guess that's because it's easier to sell the cost of labor if they make it sound that way. I totally relate to the fact that not all understand the work involved and therefore can't justify the cost of labor for a $10 part, but I have made it clear that I DO. It's just like when replacing the water pump or timing belt, you may as well do it all since you have to go that deep into it. I have owned enough cars, especially Toyotas to understand that.
Honestly, I believe that biggest problem I have been running across is the fact I am a woman, and have half a clue. I don't want to stereotype all men, mechanics, but recently it has become evident that they would prefer to deal with someone that just bought what they had to say without question. I have been talked down to, patronized and disrespected because I am a woman that questioned what they said. I am in no way rude, nor do I act like I am all knowing, but some of the things that have been told to me, have been beyond ridiculous. I have had to resort to having a male accompany me,(even ones that know not a thing about cars) just to try to avoid some of crap. Pretty sad when they have to try to intimidate to avoid being called out on their BS.
Don't get me wrong, I have had good mechanics in the past, but lately it just hasn't happened. It's surprising to me. especially with the economy the way it is that there isn't more honest and pride. Work ethics seem to be a thing of the past, well at least with the people I have been coming across. SAD...

[ILoveMySilly97]

3 months to find the airbox? I had one in my garage the whole time. Lol. Your problems with mechanics is the big reason why I recommend people to do everything themselves. So at least you'll know what you did wrong or what you did right and not get half assed work.

[richee3]

Get in touch with Smaay. He's in California and he will help you out. If he can't do it for you, he'll get you to so wine who can. At the very least, he can check everything out for you and let you know exactly what does and doesn't need to be done.