1988 Honda Accord Honda Accord recently lost 5th gear

RKOLCZAK

MEMBER
1988 HONDA ACCORD

Transmission problem
1988 Honda Accord 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual 235xxx miles

I recently had 5th gear go out on my 88 Honda Accord Lxi. I can get the car into 5th but I hear a grinding type noise, all other gears work perfect. I just spent $300 for installation of a new clutch and that did not solve this problem. I was hearing 5th gear whine for about 8 months before it went out. [/B]Can someone please help me on this before I spend more money without knowing the exact cause. Do you think it needs a new trans or just fifth gear which might be done with the trans still installed? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

5 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi RKolczak,

Thank you for the donation.

When 5th gear whines, it usually is due to insufficient oil in trans and this can result in the gears wearing off.

If 3rd speed works normally without any difficulty in engagng, then the 5th gear is bad and whether it can be repaired with just replacement of the gear or a new trans would have to be checked.

If 3rd speed has difficulty engaging and sometimes tends to jump out of gear, you might still be able to repair without any parts replacement. The locknut for the 5th gear has worked itself loose and retightening the nut to specs would solve the problem.

Either way you would have to remove the end cover to inspect. This does not require the trans to be removed.

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Monday, October 4th, 2010 AT 2:49 PM

RKOLCZAK

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3 POSTS

Thanks alot, I took the cover off before I seen your response. Both gears look good but it looks like the nuts holding the gears can be moved alittle bit with my finger even though they pressed so they dont come off like a axle is. I put the car in 5th and tried to turn the gears with my hand they did not move, they did move in neutral. So I hope this is the problem. Are they suppose to wingle at all?

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Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 AT 8:08 PM

KHLOW2008

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Both lock nuts should be torqued to 65 ft. Lbs. They should not be moving and the inspections revealed they have worked themselves loose.

Before torquing them to specs, ensure the gears and bearings are seated correctly to avoid damaging them.

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Thursday, October 7th, 2010 AT 7:42 AM

RKOLCZAK

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Thanks for your help on this matter. Today I took the cover off and tightened the two lock nuts, they were very loose. I started the car and put it in fifth gear and let the clutch out very slowly, it grabbed and I said yes. I took the car on the highway and tried 5th, it grabbed for a second but the noise started again without any grab. I Parked the car and then tired 5th again the gear didnt grab. Do I need to replace the gears, bearings, etc for 5th gear. Maybe take it apart again and recheck everything again and torgue to specs with new nuts.

Thanks again.

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Friday, October 8th, 2010 AT 7:27 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

You should try retorquing the lock nuts. Torque them to 65 ft lbs, loosen and retighten. Rerpeat a few times to get the gears to seat correctly and finally torque them to specs and retry.