Assistance needed - Visual Synchro/Gear inspection

[DrGonzo]

I don't know much about the internal working os our trans, nor have I ever actually rebuilt one besides things like seals and bearings. My current transmission sounds like it is full or marbles and I'm tired of parts swapping shit trying to resolve the issue. I have a trans here that was pulled from a known running good car and supposedly had no issues. Signs point to the trans being rebuilt at one point but I personally never drove the car or know what it felt like. I have looked online for examples of what to look for as far as bad/worn synchros and gears but found very little if anything at all. So I took some pics of this one while disassembled and wanted opinions.

I'm waiting on new seals to come in and I still need to pull the one currently in the car to swap over the hardened output shaft. Anything else I should look for while it's apart? Can the VCU be Manually tested to see if it is blown or not?

http://3s.gonzoinc.com/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_3855.JPG

http://3s.gonzoinc.com/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_3856.JPG

http://3s.gonzoinc.com/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_3857.JPG

http://3s.gonzoinc.com/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_3858.JPG

http://3s.gonzoinc.com/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_3859.JPG

http://3s.gonzoinc.com/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_3860.JPG

http://3s.gonzoinc.com/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_3861.JPG

http://3s.gonzoinc.com/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_3862.JPG

http://3s.gonzoinc.com/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_3863.JPG

http://3s.gonzoinc.com/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_3864.JPG

[Ben_Pow!!]

Subscribed for more info. I'm going to be tearing into two transmissions in the near future in order to get one good one. One has 2nd & 3rd gear grinding, the other I was told "just won't shift anymore". I opened the case and first thing I noticed was the shift fork was snapped. I'd like to be able to inspect everything else to make sure it's all good before re-installing into the car. I'm also in the same boat, never had the gears separated and not sure how to check synchro's, etc. I've been away from the 3s community for several years now, so I haven't been in the loop on a lot of things. Where are the best places to buy trans. parts? I know I'll at least need some seals & bearings.....

[Unlogic]

You really need to have Forrest Gump to have a look at those photos if he is still active on this board. He has plenty of experience when it comes to synchros and dogteeth.

[DrGonzo]

Talked to Forest on the other forum. Installed the trans and all gears shift perfect.... except for 3rg gear. I have to walk it in or shift right to 4th. I'm going to try some friction modifier from Ninja to atleast give it a whirl and get me through BRG. then it's coming back out again.

[futurevr4man]

You and I need to talk at BRG, Greg. I rebuilt my trans with Chris and learned a lot. I think I could answer most (if not all) of your questions in person.

[DrGonzo]

Yeah I'll be doing it myself come winter time. Just no time to do it lately. Will just be buying a press for the garage and knocking it out myself. Sure I'll have a thread going will all my questions. Looking into testing out the new CF syncro's :)

[RealMcCoy]

Sorry I missed this the first time... Those carbon rings do sound promising. I'm hoping to get a chance to try them out myself. I can't tell from the pics due to potential discoloration from oil, but I have to wonder if you don't have some aftermarket bronze rings in that trans... Could be a potential cause of shifting concerns. As Forest probably pointed out to you if he looked at your pics, that ring in the first pic (looks like 3rd gear?) appears to be showing some pretty severe wear..

As far as your VCU question, for future reference: http://www.3sgto.org/content/166-Let-s-talk-VCU

[DrGonzo]

VCU was checked and good per FOrests instructions on the other site, and yes third gear is pretty dead! Which is going to suck driving it on the Dragon here in a couple weeks.... :(