REBUILD or REPLACE Transmission?

[mango02]

2003 VIBE 5 Speed. I need to remove Transmission can I just remove the gearbox from transaxle or do I have to take the entire unit out. Can I leave the bell housing in the transaxle and just remove the gearbox? I can reach in and replace the clutch? I need some advice and little how to. Any diagrams or schematics on this I cannot find any. I need some play by play coaching..

[joatmon]

There's a write up here on the steps to replace the clutch at viewtopic.php?t=17517" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It involves removing the entire transaxle. You can not replace the clutch without removing the whole thing, bell housing and all.

As for rebuild vs replace, I don't remember hearing anyone rebuilding one. The consensus is that a rebuild is too labor intensive, and the parts cost too much individually to make a rebuild financially practical. Instead, folks tend to replace, and using a 5 speed from an 05 or later Vibe/corolla/matrix. Apparently the bearings in the 03's, and maybe the 04s were problematic and failed more than they should. Certainly did in mine

car-part.com lets you search junkyard inventories. Says there's one in College Park GA, out of an 08 for $1545. More than I paid for mine, but it is close by and from an 08, so theoretically low miles. Not really all that more expensive than any withing 500 miles of zip 30236. Another one out of an 06 over in Lawrenceville, doesn't list price but worth a call Without question more than you want to spend, but often junkyards will do the installs for a reasonable price.

If you do get a replacement from a junkyard, be sure to get some kind of warranty, to make sure the "new" one isn't dead on arrival

[thebarber]

C60 6 speed swap from xrs/gt

[mntn-biker]

C60 6 speed swap from xrs/gt

or Corolla. That was what the "donor" car mine came from for my '03 5 spd to 6 spd swap.