Need Tranny rebuild/ 93 VR4- Experience with Jack's?

[JackM]

Oh, okay, no hard feelings. Looks like it was all a misunderstanding. I like helping people out in here, but on some forums I found that some people don't like that and want nothing more than to see me personally, and the shop, fail. I have been unable to understand why people do that. I am happy to be a paying vendor here and to help those out with tranny issues even if it means we won't get any business out of the time I spent posting. I jumped the gun there on you thinking you were another nut, sorry about that.

Well, I tore the unit back down and took another look at the teeth. They still looked great. I had a new hub and slider in there but replaced it a 2nd time just in case there was some issue with it and replaced reverse gear. The first time I kept the original Rev gear in there as it looked to be in great shape. Found it still had the problem.

When rebuilding it the first time, I found that the R gear shift fork was bent. I replaced it with a new one (as that is part of the rebuild he ordered anyway) but this issue was still there prompting me to do the above taking it apart the 2nd time. So I took it apart a 3rd time. I finally found that the shift rail was bent. The small fork at the end that attaches to the shift shaft assembly had a bend in it I almost couldn't see. I have never seen anything like this before and it seemed very odd. I replaced the shift rail assembly and now it stays in gear with no issues. It also feels like the rail slides a lot smoother now too. I filled the unit up with oil and ran it for a long time. I really beat on it good and ran the input shaft in both CW and counter-CW directions to really try to piss Rev gear off. Accelerating and decelerating and it never popped out once. It seems happy, finally.

I'm just happy he didn't get the unit and run into this problem having to remove it again and ship it back, because that just totally sucks. This tester I made has saved me on several builds and it's definitely worth the time to attach every unit I finish to it to just be sure. He has a 14 month unlimited mileage warranty on this thing, so we really need to make sure everything is perfect before he gets it. I shipped the unit out to him yesterday. Since this build took more time than usual, we offered to pay his $15 per day storage fees the shop was charging him as all of this annoyance with Rev gear wasn't his fault and could have been a lot worse if we didn't catch it.

Jack

[Bret Brinkmann]

Originally Posted by JackM

Oh, okay, no hard feelings. Looks like it was all a misunderstanding. I like helping people out in here, but on some forums I found that some people don't like that and want nothing more than to see me personally, and the shop, fail. I have been unable to understand why people do that. I am happy to be a paying vendor here and to help those out with tranny issues even if it means we won't get any business out of the time I spent posting. I jumped the gun there on you thinking you were another nut, sorry about that....

I know the feeling, trust me.... I would have done the same thing if I were you.

That's cool you found the problem. I only had about 2 or three bent forks on the shift shaft side. One was so bad I had to ask myself how in the world some one could do some thing like that. It was just about at a 45 degree angle! Granted, it's not REALLY stong steel, but it is not flimsy either. I think the guy just got frustrated with the tranny because he didn't realize he was using a poor fluid choice and just took it out on the shifter when it didn't want to go into gear. Those slightly bent/warped parts can be a pain to pin piont some times. Good work.

[1fastvr4]

+1 for Jack's Transmission!!

I had an issue with 2nd gear locking me out when shifting past 6500rpm so I took it down to Jack's. About 1.5 drive. He spent at least an hour with me trying to figure out the issue and did not charge me a dime. He adjusted my clutch pedal to keep the pressure plate from engaging but said that I also had an issue with the shifter hitting the stop when shifting to
2nd. Long story short, after my rebuild I ordered a new bracket (the one that mounts to the top of the tranny that holds your shifter cables) because I could not find the old one. I later found it but did not see a difference so I put the new on. Jack suggested looking for the old one to make sure that they were the same. I did and it turns out that the mounting holes are about 1/2 inch off. Switched back to the old one and all is good.

This whole experience with Jack saved me from pulling my transmission out to rebuild it when it really did not need it. I will definitely take it back to Jack when it does though. He also spent a lot of time on the phone with me prior to bringing it down explaining what things I should look for to try and fix it myself first.

Dean

[Audiophobe]

Originally Posted by Audiophobe

Frank called me today. My tranny is set for pickup tomorrow to go back to Kormex. Hopefully, mine will be rebuilt, shipped back, and I'll send the first one back. Hopefully it will all work out. I'll update also.

My tranny is on the way back to my shop. So far Kormex and Frank have been on the money. I'll keep you posted.

[SOHC3000GT]

Wow, not sure why i just read this whole thread...interesting stuff.

[fk86]

I received my tranny from jack about two days ago, had it installed and....it runs GREAT! Never felt the gears engaging so smoothly...no more grinding/notching/fighting with the clutch and my reverse is perfect and does not pop out! I'm taking it slow right and letting the tranny break in. I got the "value rebuild" from Jack's transmissions...new competition clutch, stainless steel clutch line and fidanza flywheel (from 3sx). I had also changed the spark plugs, wires (magnecore), timing belt, water pump, plenum gasket, ac/power steering/alternator belts, thermostat, fuel filter, oil change/filter and radiator flush two weeks prior to my old transmission finally giving out (no reverse, grindng 3rd, and fighting with other gears.)

I also got a new clutch master cylinder, but I am not sure if I should change it...it just shifts so good!

I have to admit, I was kind of scared after reading about other people's bad experiences with their rebuilds. But after dealing with Jackstransmissions, and this is unsolicited....I am confident with referring or dealing with his shop in the future. He gurantees his work and his transmissions before he ships them out, thus saving a future headache for both, the buyer and seller. Thanks for a great experience Jack!

And now the tough part, my car is in flawless condition...97 vr4 black (new paint), 67,800 original miles, clear title, all stock....thinking if I should sell it......or
start with the 99 front conversion and jump to 15g upgrades with supporting mods...hmm..maybe if I get a nice offer, otherwise all this work I put in it goes to waste....i'm leaning towards modding it

[JackM]

Good to hear it all worked out well! Thanks for the business and giving us a shot! Definitely stick the bigger turbos in there and have fun Your tranny will easily handle it and has a 14 month unlimited mileage warranty, so call me if you do find a way to break it, lol!

And thanks to those that said nice things about us! We really appreciate it

Jack

[drcustom]

I didn't bother going through the entire thread so hopefully this isn't a repost.

In the DSM world Jack has earned his stripes as one of the top 3 tranny builders in the country. Locally we've known that for years (6 years ago when I first moved out here I was trying to find good shops...the local clubs kept saying "go to Jack", but I was skeptical...now I understand why). I hope he doesn't actually listen to me say this, but I really think he could charge more. Jacks work is pretty much the definition of best bang for your buck.

I don't really know how Jack has time to get any work done because he will take time to talk to his customers and he is very thorough. I also don't see anyone else offer a warranty, or actually follow through and honor it. Being an hour or so away from Jack I've done business with him a few times and can say he's the real deal - straighforward, hard working, and the type of guy you can actually trust working on your car...no, the only type of guy you really want working on your car.

I'm actually going to give Jack a call now...I have a tranny that needs rebuilt myself.

[Audiophobe]

For those who are following, my tranny arrived from Kormex. So far Frank and Kormex have been true to their word. I won't be abl to drop off the car for a couple of days. I post final results. Like I said, it'e when things go wrong that customer service is put to the test!

[Audiophobe]

Update:

-Quick summary- Bought rebuilt tranny from Kormex on a core swap. Tranny needed small weld and 2 heliocoils and after install had gear whine and noises and was a bit notchy but was drivable. Frank (Kormex) had me send my tranny back, rebuilt it, sent it back for new install, and we sent original rebuild (theirs) back for his inspection.

Now for the update. The new rebuild (my original tranny) is silent and smooth with no problems. It seems clear that the first tranny had a tough life. The original tranny was sent back and I await Kormex's response. The question is, not only do I feel I should get my core deposit back, but also I should be reimbursed for the repairs (weld and heliocoils) on the first tranny and also labor for the second tranny swap, and for the second tranny fluid added for the second swap. It seems like alot and a bit optimistic. We'll see...............