What to look for in a used transmission from a junkyard?

What to look for in a used transmission from junkyard? I know I should flush out the tranny oil, but is there anything else from a transmission sitting in the junkyard for 10 years?|||Smell the transmission fluid. If it smells burned, that's not a good sign. Choose another one.





Then take it home and drain the old fluid, replace the filter if there is one and all the accessible seals. If you want to replace the modulator, that's not a bad idea. Beyond that, you are going to spend a lot more time and money.|||I own a transmission shop, and to be honest with you, you are asking for trouble. To begin with, any transmission that has sit for 10 years is going to have to be rebuilt, and will have many rusted parts. All the rubber components in it will have gotten hard and brittle by now. It will leak internally and externally. If this is the only transmission you can find, then at least have someone take it apart, and inspect the critical parts inside it. You never mentioned if it was an automatic or a straight drive. If it's a straight drive, you may be OK if you replace the input shaft, output shaft, and shifter seals, but I would remove the side plate, and inspect it for moisture, and signs of rust on critical things such as the shafts where the seals run, and pitted rust area's on the gears themselves. An automatic is just beyond using without replacing all the internal sealing rings, and pressure seals. The torque converter hub where the seal runs is more than likely rusted and pitted to where it would leak severely. This is just not a good idea.


Glad I could help you. Good Luck!!!|||its risky getting anything like taht from a junkyard. depending on the price I would get it and take the chance.|||Price, mainly. You can't tell by looking, and most of them sell as is, so you may have a heavy piece of trash, that's the chance you take. If the price is close to having yours rebuilt, then rebuilding would be the way to go. If you could buy 4 from the junkyard for the price of the rebuild, then you might take a chance with one or more, hoping one will work for you.|||try to find a junk yard like smart parts who can tell you how many miles are on it, the check for brown, or burnt smelling fluid. of course once installed change the screen and fluid. i installed a used tranny and have had good luck. while it is better to use a new or rebuild money isn't always available. also if it's a mitsi fwd drive tranny, trust me get at least a rebuild.|||Check for water in the oil. Remove oil pan. Check for heavy deposits of metal and clutch material..Perform trans. service. Includes replacing filter and installing new pan gasket. Try to get neoprene gasket if possible. The cost is worth the head ache you will avoid. Replace front and rear seals, speed o Oring and dip stick seals. When front and rear seals are removed Check front pump bearing for wear. Repeat step for rear output shaft. Don't forget to apply some grease or trans. Vaseline on inner part of seals. Check Converter For rust or other forms of contamination. I would personally replace it. But if your in a pinch. Some converters have a drain plug.Drain as much as possible. Or check in your area for a shop that can flush it for u. Good Luck.