mikey00

My 2001 trans decided to call it quits today at 133K. For about the last week a faint buzzing was comming from somewhere during acceleration when the engine was cold. It was hard to pinpoint where it was coming from and I thought it was a alternator or water pump bearing. The buzz seemed to rise and fall with engine RPM and did so even when the engine was revved with the trans in neutral. But I guess there is part of the trans that is spinning with the engine even when in neutral. Next symptom was the trans occassionally shuddered when shifting. Today it seemed to shudder a little more than usual so I decided to floor it, let it downshift and see what happens. The engine revved but no power was making it to the drive wheels. I pulled over to the side of the road and tried all the gears. No reverse, nothing. I checked the fluid. It was clean and full. If I shut everything down for a minute and re started, I was good for a few blocks before the problem would re-occuur. I did this many times to get home.
It seems like every one of these trans are destined to fail sooner or later no matter what you do. My fluid was always kept clean with 15K drain and fills. Even had a flush done last time. I have a 2001 which has the factory cooler, which may not be the greatest but has to be better than none. The car is primarily driven by my wife who is very easy on it.
Tomorrow starts my search for a tranny shop.

salimshah

Not too many good stories on the independent transmission shops. Price out Lexus swap option.

Salim

mikey00

I was kind of considering Lexus as a last resort. Based on the posts from others who used Lexus the price will be almost 5K and their rebuilds are ok but not great. I know they stand behind their work but sometimes it's not worth the cost and hassle. I do plan on calling my local Lexus dealer and Lexus corporate tomorrow and see if they will offer any goodwill. But I will be suprised if they do. Even if they offer 50% it will then be the same cost as an independent. But I can get a better transmission and better warranty from the right independent. I also plan on talking to the Toyota dealer that did my timing belt and see what they have to offer.
There is also a local independent I will check out. He advertises as a Lexus specialist (among others). The local newspaper picked him as best trans shop in Morris County, which may just mean he spent the most on advertiseing. He has been in business over 30 years, has a 7 man shop, 2 year warranty and 1 day service. I will visit this place tomorrow and get a look at the shop.
Another possibility is IPT (Import Performance Transmission). Lexmex has posted about this place in the past. They are only 30 minutes away and are Toyota/Lexus Transmission specialists. They ship transmissions worldwide.

bob2200

Even before your last post, I recall reading on this forum some years ago about a transmission shop in New Jersey that specialized in Lexus transmissions. I don't remember where in NJ it was, but I seem to recall that they claimed to have improved several of the parts in the tramission that were most likely to fail.

TunedRX300

Is it Level 10?
http://www.levelten.com/about.htm

mikey00

This is the one I was referring to. I got it from Lexmex awhile ago.
http://www.importperformancetrans.com/index.shtml

lexus114

[QUOTE=mikey00;3720223]I was kind of considering Lexus as a last resort. Based on the posts from others who used Lexus the price will be almost 5K and their rebuilds are ok but not great. I know they stand behind their work but sometimes it's not worth the cost and hassle. I do plan on calling my local Lexus dealer and Lexus corporate tomorrow and see if they will offer any goodwill. But I will be suprised if they do. Even if they offer 50% it will then be the same cost as an independent. But I can get a better transmission and better warranty from the right independent. I also plan on talking to the Toyota dealer that did my timing belt and see what they have to offer.
There is also a local independent I will check out. He advertises as a Lexus specialist (among others). The local newspaper picked him as best trans shop in Morris County, which may just mean he spent the most on advertiseing. He has been in business over 30 years, has a 7 man shop, 2 year warranty and 1 day service. I will visit this place tomorrow and get a look at the shop.
Another possibility is IPT (Import Performance Transmission). Lexmex has posted about this place in the past. They are only 30 minutes away and are Toyota/Lexus Transmission specialists. They ship transmissions worldwide.[/Q

****** Definitely go with IPT.

Lexmex

IPT is the group that I eventually plan to go to, but $$$ and time are the situations right now. Levelten is also a very good group. IPT I had heard about from several friends. You might remember Tony "the Tiger" Leung and his turbocharged 1994 Camry (also 1MZFE powered) had upgrades done by IPT,

http://www.geocities.com/leunghomepage/CamryTurbo.html

This is what he had installed:

- Import Performance Transmission Calibrated Valvebody
- Import Performance Transmission Race Automatic Transmission
- Import Performance Transmission 4000RPM High Stall Converter
- Import Performance Transmission Limited Slip Differential

thomas1

MY firts Lexus rebuild was terrible, took a month to convince them to replace it. Yea that shows the quality lacking part of Lexus rebuilts. Hopefully with all of the failures their skill level has improved. I payed $4300 for my tranny replacement and that was supposedly with a discount. Lexus of Roseville did a terrible job in every aspect, left bolts out and many loose, and vacuum lines undone. Crappy shop work...period.

mikey00

Check this out. It looks like their rebuild quality didn't improve any:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...=369119&page=2

salimshah

Two things:

If you are performance oriented, think about changing the Torque Converter.

Insist on replacing the rear main seal (go ahead and pay for the part).

Salim

Blkongray

I got my replacement tranny from these guys: http://www.hecreman.com/remanufacturing_process.html ...so far so good.

mikey00

In one of my many conversations with Lexus today we did discuss the rear main seal. Their take was 2001 and up has a improved rear main seal which easily withstands trans removal and replacement. 1999 and 2000 had a problem seal which often leaked after a trans swap and leaked sometimes without even removing trans.

salimshah

Your call, but I would do it (although I drive a '99). Its not worth the risk ... talk is for free.

Salim

mikey00

I quickly accessed all my options and decided on a local shop to do my trans. I will be sure and post back with my experience, good or bad. My options were:

1. Lexus Dealer - They gave me a phone estimate of 5 to 6K to install a rebuilt trans. Towing had to be added. I assume a loaner and cappuccino were included but forgot to ask. I did ask about any goodwill assistance and was given the 800 number. The 800 number wouldn't even talk about possible goodwill without first having the car towed to dealer and problem verified. I do understand the reasoning and it is kind of industry standard policy but I was kind of looking for some type of assurance that if I did have the car towed in and paid the charge to have problem verified that assistance was possible. They wouldn't even talk until the dealer had the car. I then called the dealer back to see if he could offer any suggestions. His only suggestion was to tow the car in. I'm really not happy with the past reports on Lexus rebuilds anyway and even if they gave me 50% goodwill I would still be looking at about 3K, so I crossed the dealer off the list.

2. Toyota Dealer - They did my timing belt and I was pleased with their service so I thought I would check if they were interested in the trans job. I called today (Thursday) and they said get the car to them tomorrow, they would give me a loaner and I could pick up my car on Monday. $3800 for a Lexus rebuilt trans. This sounded real good but I am still stuck with a Lexus rebuilt trans. If I had any problems I was worried it might be a little harder to resolve a Lexus rebuilt trans problem installed by Toyota.

3. Local Independent - I had a good feeling about this guy. He just does transmissions, has a good customer satisfaction record, knows Lexus/Toyota trans, been in business over 30 years, 7 man shop, 1 day service, 2 year warranty. I like the idea of keeping my own trans and having it rebuilt rather then getting some unknown rebuild from whoever Lexus contracts with. I also realize there are certain risks dealing with a independent. His price is $2100. for a standard rebuild. If the trans required parts that are not included with the standard rebuild kit, $3300. would be the highest it could go. Towing included. He felt there is a good chance I may not need a rebuild just a repair and it could be much less. I am really not counting on this, but who knows. I decided to roll the dice with this guy.

4. IPT (http://www.importperformancetrans.com/) - These guys mainly build racing transmissions and ship world wide but are local to me. They really know Toyota/Lexus and build a heavily beefed up trans. If I were using my car on a track or doing some serious towing, I would, no doubt, go with them. But after a long conversation with them, I decided this may not be the best option for my wife's daily driver. They sell the trans for $3475. plus shipping, but when you look at having them install it and add on torque converter, fluid and towing it quickly goes over $5K.