Ok, this is a long story but I'll cut to the chase. Car is my wife's 02 Civic HX 1.7 VTEC 5SP with 64 K miles on it. Incidentally, this is the ninth Honda I have owned over the last 36 years or so, so I have lots of good experience with them in general, but I'm certainly not a mechanic.

4 K miles ago (at 60 K miles on the clock), it started popping out of 5th gear so I took it to the dealership (which shall remain un-named for the moment). Their solution was to "replace syncro set," $1,600.00. It took them two tries as they "broke a part" on the first attempt and had to reorder. After the repair, 5th was fine but I noticed that 3rd was demonstrating the same symptoms, forcing the shifter back (toward popping out) on acceleration. However, it never actually popped out so I let it go. 4 K miles later, last weekend, I started getting a pronounced whine from the transmission on acceleration in all gears, particularly first through 3rd. Back to the dealership. Diagnosis is "bad input bearing, could not be related to earlier repair (hence it is my problem), bearing is an integral part of the transmission and cannot be replaced." Recommendation: "replace whole transmission with used unit, $2,695.00."

I'm su****ious, let's just leave it at that. Things don't seem to add up.

Questions: What's this "input bearing" and is it really not replaceable? Is it reasonable to assert that the bearing failure "could not" be related to the repair done only 4 K miles ago? Am I justified in suspecting that they well might be trying to avoid paying for an expensive repair on a botched job now (and possibly more in the future) by asserting that it's my problem, and solving the potential future problem by saying the whole transmission needs replacement? Obviously, I can't "prove" that theory. What's my next move? Thanks so much to anyone who can help.

Tom.

 

Afterthought: Or am I just being paranoid?

 

The input bearing(s) are easily replaceable.
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...MT+CLUTCH+CASE
Part #5 is the engine side input shaft bearing.
Honda Automotive Parts
Part #15 is the outside input shaft bearing. This part has a lot of stress on it and is usually the first part in the transmission to wear out during normal operation, but it shouldn't happen before 150K miles or so.

Bearing failure after work on the transmission could be caused by failing to refill it with fluid. Running without oil would of course cause major damage throughout.

Popping out of gear is often a bad motor mount, allowing the engine / transmission assembly to move around when torque is applied (acceleration) and pull on the linkage.

Depending on your market, used transmission should go for about $800 and maybe $300 to install.

In summary you are being seriously ripped off.

 

Input shaft bearings are a common failure in Honda MT's, it would be hard to prove the shop did something wrong when they replaced the 5th gear syncro.

If it's not too loud you can drive on it, people have driven on bad ISB's for years. Mine has been making noise for about a year and hasn't gotten any worse, I plan on replacing it when I replace the clutch though.

I'd just have the bearings replaced. It's not a hard job like MK said, kinda odd the dealer says they cant be replaced. You don't wanna risk a junkyard trans with an unknown history.