Thread: Transmission Shot

So I'm pretty sure my transmission's shot, but at just under 180k I guess I'm not surprised. Aside from slipping and erratic shifts it's also making an obnoxious rattling. I initially thought it was rod knock or lifter noise, but I noticed last night while parked with the window down that it changes depending on which gear I'm in.
It's more or less gone in Park or Neutral, while Reverse, Drive, Third, and Second all have the same horrible rattling. First is even worse; the rattling continues but sounds like someone started banging an empty can on a piece of wood in time with it. I can barely hear any of this with the windows up.

So my question is can it be repaired, and how extensive would the repair be, or should I just find a replacement?

I'm going to say if the noises are truley coming from the trans then yes it's going to be an extensive repair. Stator support bearing if failing and for it to be replace the trans has to be pulled and taken apart.

I'm assuming it's the transmission because the noises stop in Neutral and Park. I could be wrong.
I have a Transgo Shift kit, filter, and fluid ready to go, but I don't want to install yet if I'm better off buying a new transmission.

Transmission noises are not solved by shift kit and fluid/filter change. You have needle bearings that are failing in the trans most likely. If it is in fact the stator support bearing it's only a matter of time before the noise will continue to get worse and eventually fail completely.

So... new transmission I take it?

I had that backwards...my bad. With your description of the noise going away in Park and Neutral I would lean more toward the fact you your converter would be failing. If it was the other way around like I originally though then it would have been either the driven or drive support bearings.

I still believe that your trans is on borrowed time. But the shift kit, fluid/filter change may help with the sloppy or erratic shifts. The noise on the other hand isn't going to go away.

Engine/trans mounts a possibility?

EDIT: Nevermind, re-read OP. Mybad!

Could it be the chain dragging, making the noise? Either way yes, I'd go with getting another tranny, used or rebuilt.