Can I Teach Myself to Rebuild Transmissions?

[wrenchtech]

I want to learn to do good quality rebuilds on Toyota "G", "W" and "R" series transmissions.  I've never been inside any manual transmission, but, I've rebuilt a few motors successfully, have precision tools like micrometers (and know how to use them), and am generally a fairly good mechanic with good attention to detail. Is this something I can teach myself? I have a couple of factory service manuals that seem pretty detailed, but, I think I'd be more comfortable with some visual assistance; something like a website with a step-by-step demonstration or a video. What do you think? Is this something I could learn to do well?

Matt

[85RunnerAZ]

I think its more a question of having the right tools.

[brainlessfool]

right tools and a guide. maybe if you swep floors for a year marlin will show you he's way.  but you'll have to move to calif. and live in the shop for a year, cleaning, sorting ,licking big mikes boots:laugh: and do it all for no pay:thumbs: other than that you can learn but I do find it better when learing somthing new to have some one there that knows how to help with the "dumb" things you can do not knowing!

[Marlin]

A factory manual is a great place to start.
You will need bearing pullers, and a press to begin with.
Toyota makes special service tools, however, I do not use them. They take way to long to use
Practice makes perfect, but you need to take special attention to cleaning, and setting the proper endplays, ect.
I used to take phone calls to help the customer with his rebuild, but had to quit.
I was unable to get my own work done

[wrenchtech]

A factory manual is a great place to start.
You will need bearing pullers, and a press to begin with.

I've got a few factory manuals that cover the transmissions I'm interested in, and getting a press is no problem, but, what about those bearing pullers. Are they standard items that I could easily buy?

Here in the midwest Toyota drivetrain parts are cheap in the wrecking yard. I would be glad to buy a used "G" or "W" tranny to start practicing on.

Thanks for the help.
Matt

[Marlin]

The G trans is differance than the W and eaiser to work on.
The G uses 4 bearings whereas the W uses 6 bearings and is a lot more work.

wish you the best---
Marlin

[gferris5]

I started out with no automotive experience, but through taking a couple of years worth of autotech classes at my jc while I was studying psychology, I walked away with my AA as well as my ASE certification in Engine repair-now I pay my way through the big school with my mechanical knowledge. The moral of the story is that a JC already has stuff to mess up, along with the professional help, and its cheap and fun! That's my suggestion.