Full Size Jeep Network

OK - looking for some general guidance. My 82 Cherk seems to be leaking a ton of tranny fluid. I'll top it off and transmission is fine, no slip that I can tell. In a couple of days, I have a big fluid spot underneath and fluid is low. Fluid seems to come from somewhere in front/above. Not a pan leak. I'm sure its never had any service. Mileage is 150k

This is not a project for me and my limited time, knowledge and tools.

I was talking to the guy who maintains the trucks at my work. He says a rebuild is probably $3k. (that seems crazy) He says I should swap it.

What should I do here? Help me set reasonable expectations as I go out to look for someone to do this for me.

Firstly, which transmission do you have? Do you have an auto? I think the 80s 258 autos were the TF999?

In general, the three speed autos used in these rigs are not difficult at all to rebuild (from everything I've ever seen).

If it's a 4 speed (T-17x) or 5 speed (T-5), it's a little different story. Still not overly complicated to rebuild, though.

I can't give a real price range, but $3k is absolutely stupid. That guy needs to go back to school.

If you can pull the trans and take it to a shop, you'll save a ton of money. If they have to pull and reinstall, it's a more expensive bill.


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Mine turned out to be where the dipstik tube enters the trans. Cost less than a buck to fix. Should try and trace leak as it sounds to me like trans still good.

As said above, for any leak, clean, clean and clean to find the origin of the leak, you will have to clean to install the new seal, so it is a good start.

The usual culprits are the dipstick seal, the shift shaft seal and the NSS which is behind and below the shift shaft seal

Good insight, all.

It’s a 3speed. I thought, according to my FSM it would have been the A727? I’m too much of a noob to identify it so far.

I have one other guy I wanna talk to about it. Otherwise, when I find a minute, I’ll research the leaks more.

With a 258, could be a A999 or A727, if it's an automatic.

It doesn't really matter what it is if it has 150k on it if it doesn't need rebuilt it will before long. unless your leak is an easy fix I'd just get it rebuilt and be done with it.

The quote you got is stupid, take it to a reputable shop and they can give you an estimate fast.

Agreed. Should be about $1000-1200 tops with the shop pulling and reinstalling. Chrysler 3 speeds are pretty basic. It's not a modern 8 speed electronic deal.

A rebuild kit is approx' $200 and then the labor. If you pull the trans' yourself, a rebuild should cost less than $1000. In -car rebuild will be close to $2000.. A lot of the expense is to cover the warranty and follow-up visits. All it takes is one rebuild failure and the shop has to do it all again for free.

I recently just got a quote for a 727 and it’s 1500 to pull,rebuild and reinstall... they also claim they will use beefier parts to ensure it’ll last longer, not sure if that’s true but I get a decent 3 year warranty (can remember the millage offhand).

It would be 1k if I pull and reinstall but the warranty would only cover bench labor.

You can save money by pulling and reinstalling it yourself. I wouldn't bother. And I have pulled transmissions and engines before.
The cost to pull it and install is usually around $150/$200. They can do this much faster than you can pull it laying on the floor of your garage.
They can make sure the TV is adjusted properly. They will make sure it has the right amount of fluid. They will make sure the linkage is aligned right. If there is a problem with the transmission then they will honor their warranty. There won't be any trouble around if you 'installed it correctly' and you won't have to pull it again if they are willing to fix it under warranty. It's not a technically difficult job but it is time consuming for us shade tree mechanics. If you were doing something like pulling the engine anyways, I would say go for it! If the only issue is the transmission, leave it to the shop and enjoy the two weekends you saved yourself.

They may try to sell you new u-joints as well. Go for it. It will tighten up the entire driveline.

But first, check for the dip stick tube leak or perhaps a cooling line leak. That's a cheap fix and if the transmission is running fine you may get a few more years out of it.

Thanks guys, for all the replies. I'm not going to quibble over $1000-1500 for the job. (know your limits)

I'll report back once I have the work done.

Ok, great outcome here, as far as I'm concerned.

I took it to a guy who has a small two bay shop and advertised transmission work on his sign. Turns out he's a cranky, old guy, with a glass eye. That right there tells me he's go the experise I'm looking for! He said he would drive it and offer an opinion on the transmission and what the leak migh be.

Today he calls says its valve body seal; $3-400 to solve it.