RT4wd Transmission Discussion/Rebuild Options

FakeJDMEF8FakeJDMEF8 Senior Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
I couldn't find a quicklinks that discussed rebuild options for the RT4wd trannys. If there is already one, please do lock this and point me in the right direction.


Anyways, i have picked up an 89 RT4wd for my daily driver as my black one will be gifted to my sister being that she moved into an area with loads of snow and with two lil ones, she needs the reliability and the soundness of the car. so i now have this 89, and the transmission is a bit worn. 2nd gear grinds and the whole thing feels loose. All other gears shift fine. Just loose...

I have been searching around for what others have done with troublesome transmissions and all i could find was answers that included "found one with fewer miles" or similar. Im wondering if anyone has had theirs rebuilt professionally, or done it themselves with OEM or aftermarket bits.

If anyone has any light on the subject, please do share.

Thanks again!

Comments

  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    As far as your sis Change the tranny oil (use Honda oil shifts smoother) & make sure she changes it every 30,000 miles.Is hers a stick or Auto?
    Talk to Turbo-teg.I think he did a blown tranny.

    1) You can rebuild yours,but most parts are 4WD specific.Nothing in aftmrkt except clutch parts.
    2)Swap over to a 2WD tranny
  • 503Wagon503Wagon moderator
    Yeah you're screwed if you want any "new" gears. I searched for a new reverse idler gear for my transmission and Honda said they found one at their obsolete parts warehouse. So I "special" ordered it only to get it a week later and it's not even CLOSE to what was in the photo they showed me. And since it was "special" order I cant return the $60 gear...
  • JakerJaker familEE
    But the one I sent you is right, correct?
  • VIPwryannVIPwryann Wagonist
    Buy a good used one and keep your fingers crossed!!
  • twisterfelixtwisterfelix Band Wagon
    damn that licks. I guess i'll be on the lookout for one. My wagon makes a loud reverse whine should I be worried or is there something I can do to it to make it better?
  • woodiwoodi Wagonist
    The reverse whine seems to be the norm with old wagons. Mine has done it since I got it a year and a half ago. I've recently drained the transmission fluid when i rebuilt my engine and it still looked pretty fresh and clean a year after it went in. So though it sounds terrible it doesn't seem that the reverse noise actually means imminent transmission failure.
  • turbo_tegturbo_teg Council Member
    SiWagon wrote:
    As far as your sis Change the tranny oil (use Honda oil shifts smoother) & make sure she changes it every 30,000 miles.Is hers a stick or Auto?
    Talk to Turbo-teg.I think he did a blown tranny.

    1) You can rebuild yours,but most parts are 4WD specific.Nothing in aftmrkt except clutch parts.
    2)Swap over to a 2WD tranny


    ive never rebuilt one i just fixed a broken bell housing on one. I have a spare one now thanks to jaker
  • FakeJDMEF8FakeJDMEF8 Senior Wagonist
    Thanks for all the replies!


    So no one has ever had one rebuilt by a shop or rebuilt one themselves?!
  • 503Wagon503Wagon moderator
    Jaker wrote:
    But the one I sent you is right, correct?


    correct sir, yours was exactly what i needed!
  • DD Wagonist
    FakeJDMEF8 wrote:
    So no one has ever had one rebuilt by a shop or rebuilt one themselves?!

    They are no more difficult than any other B/D/F honda box. I've used internals from the earlier gen (84-87) wagon in the later 89+ case. Internals are nearly identical, 'cept for some minor differences in gear ratios, 3,4 and 5 off the top of my head. I have the comparison somewhere on here...
  • FakeJDMEF8FakeJDMEF8 Senior Wagonist
    so 2nd is the exact same?


    bump for moarrrr info!
  • DD Wagonist
    FakeJDMEF8 wrote:
    so 2nd is the exact same?


    bump for moarrrr info!

    pulled from my old spreadsheet when i had a 87 and 89 box on the bench simultaneously.

    1987 RTAWD transmission
    MS CS ratio
    1st 13 44 3.385
    2nd 21 41 1.952
    3rd 25 31 1.240
    4th 29 26 0.897
    5th 36 27 0.750
    FD 15 67 4.467

    1989 RTAWD transmission
    MS CS ratio
    1st 13 44 3.385
    2nd 20 39 1.950
    3rd 29 37 1.276
    4th 34 32 0.941
    5th 37 29 0.784
    FD 14 62 4.429
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