Transmission.. Refresh?

[LowBuckCanuck]

Hey all, long time no post.

I have a spare transmission I would like to spruce up a bit. Of course I know that there are very few parts still floating around, so I was wondering what I can/should do to this transmission before it ends up in a car where it is far harder to work on. Seals, bearings, bushings, etc.

To the best of my knowledge the transmission is solid, but would y'all have any recommendations for "bench testing" it? Checking for rotational play in the output shafts whilst the transmission is in gear perhaps? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

[LowBuckCanuck]

I suppose I should specify that it is a manual transmission, didn't cross my mind in the original post as I've never owned an automatic car!

[dlb]

When I have transmissions out, I like to replace the CV axle seals, 4wd shifter seal, and rear output shaft seal. You're right, it's much, much easier to do them with the trans out of the car.

I also like to remove the shifter (which you will already have done to get the trans out of the car) and check the rubber cup that the ball of the shifter sits in, and the little bushing that pops onto the bottom end of the shifter. I have seen both of those worn out a few times. Then I clean everything in that cavity and re-grease it.

You will also have needed to drain the gear oil to remove the trans, you should check the drain plug magnets for large metal chunks. Big chunks indicate bad things, while fine metallic dust indicates normal wear. Clean the magnets off before reinstalling them. Oh, and really dirty gear oil indicates a failing bearing, apparently. I learned that recently on a trans I had that turned its new gear oil black in just a few months.

I think that's all I do on transmissions. I don't think there's any good way to test them out of a car with disassembling them to inspect everything. This falls outside of trans only stuff but I also like to replace the engine's rear main seal, throw in a new clutch kit, and have the flywheel machined before reinstalling the trans.

[SirFoxx]

I also like to replace the inner input shaft seal as they are usually hard as a rock. This requires separating the bell housing, which in of itself isnt hard, but youll need to either scrape and rtv the two halfs back together, or buy a replacement gasket (which i do make!)