Replace or Rebuild my 7.3L 6spd?

[JimmyBryant]

I know I have a good amount of miles left on the trans that I have in the truck now, but she's telling me somethings wrong. The issues I'm having issues are:

Have to wiggle the stick in the morning to get it to let me over to the Low and Reverse gear.

4th gear grinds every now and then while I'm shifting into it.

Harder and harder to get it into gear from neutral at the light, the older it gets.

Vibe and rattling noise like a coffee can of bolts when I'm in gear at the lowest RPM and moving.

"Clicking" that I can feel (not hear) when I'm going about 55 to 70.

Now I think that the clicking feeling is from a missing or fractured tooth on the hwy gear because it fades in and out depending on speed and TQ being applied. That and it's the only gear that does it.

I think the rattling at low RPM is a fractured spring in the clutch because it's done it ever since I bought it and that's about the pitch of the sound.

Also I think that since I drive my truck like I stole it, more than I should, that the 4th gear issue is most likely a sync.


I'd like to get everyone's input as to whether I should have it rebuilt or get a re-manufactured one and swap this out. Or any other options like perhaps going to a junkyard and pulling one. I know how that can be hit or miss sometimes but I've had good luck with other components. This is my daily driver and it has around 185,xxx miles. I have it to tow heavy loads with my gooseneck when I need to, but on avg it's just a everyday truck that get's into a stoplight drag race every now and then. Thanks for your help and ideas.

[66Bronco]

Rebuild. It's usually cheaper than a reman. As for the early morning shift problems, that comes from the fact that the trans fluid is cold and will be thicker than usual. Change your fluid and that will help. As for the other noises, it sounds like the synchros are going out in the trans.

[JimmyBryant]

Well went out today and had the trans fluid changed out and so far I've noticed a small difference, but I think that's just wishful thinking on my part. I'll see over the next few days how it shifts in the mornings and so on to see if it made any real difference. The fluid was very dark though so I think it's been a good while since it's been changed. However no excessive grit or shavings in the oil so I'm happy about that. I'll call around next week to see if I can find a good trans shop to do the rebuild when I decide to go ahead and get it done.

Any idea what that clicking feeling could be though? Just in the hwy gear and only at a certain RPM range. The feeling speeds and slows according to the speed and RPM and I just can't put my finger on it. Thanks for the help so far.