AX-15 First Gear Problems, Advice on Novak Reman / New vs Used?

[BathiasRei]

Currently my 97 TJ has the original Ax-15 w/ 270k miles a broken first gear by the PO when out wheeling. The tranny shifts good in all other gears, will still go into first gear when the engine is off or when on and clutch is pushed in, but as soon as I let off the clutch a little it makes a harsh grinding noise and pops out of gear everytime (only in first)....

I'm thinking its about time for a new tranny, as I'm tired of starting in second on hills... I was looking for advice on the quality difference between a Reman vs brand new Ax-15 from Novak. Also being a student with a limited budget I was curious how plausible finding a donor AX-15 out of a parts jeep would be considering the price difference. I'm not really looking to rebuild unless last resort since the TJ is my daily and I'd rather swap out the current AX-15 in a weekend

Thanks in advance and hope your day is going well

 

[macleanflood]

I spent three months with a not so local transmission shop. Had my AX-15 in and out seven times. Complete disaster. Spent another $400 in redline fluids.

Finally bought a new one from Novak. Slid right in and it's crisp and perfect.

Expensive mistake trying to have shop work on it.

I will say buying a rebuild kit and doing yourself looks pretty damn easy.

-Mac

 

[BathiasRei]

I spent three months with a not so local transmission shop. Had my AX-15 in and out seven times. Complete disaster.

Wow my condolences for you and all that labor… I agree that a rebuild doesn’t look too bad, only time consuming.

Since I’m moving a bit farther from campus soon (with alot of hills with stop signs in between), I feel a bit more compelled to pick up a used one for a few hundred extra to save time and focus on school.

Is throwing in a used ax15 generally a bad idea? Also not sure if I can do a better rebuild than a factory ~100k mile tranny.

 

[macleanflood]

Nothing wrong with it. Just understand you're rolling the dice like I did. I'm really good at pulling and reinstalling that transmission.

-Mac

 

[BathiasRei]

I'm really good at pulling and reinstalling that transmission.

-Mac

I bet you’ve got that down to an art at this point

 

[NovakConversions]

Give me a call or shoot me an email and I can help you out. We don't have any reman units in stock right now but most people go with the new one anyways because the cost difference is minimal to get a new unit with factory warranty.

For just BARE AX15 transmissions the prices are as follows;
New $2160
Reman $1690
Plus shipping and tax. The good thing is these are compact and light enough to ship via UPS or Fedex ground shipping so no freight charges.

I can help you out with associated parts as well as the FORUM MEMBER DISCOUNT!!!!!! Just give me a shout.

-Dustin
[email protected]
435-753-2513 ext. 360

 

[NovakConversions]

I spent three months with a not so local transmission shop. Had my AX-15 in and out seven times. Complete disaster. Spent another $400 in redline fluids.

Finally bought a new one from Novak. Slid right in and it's crisp and perfect.

Expensive mistake trying to have shop work on it.

I will say buying a rebuild kit and doing yourself looks pretty damn easy.

-Mac

Yikes! That's rough. Glad to hear you got all sorted out!

-Dustin

 

[jeepguy03]

+1 on the new AX-15 from Novak. I swapped one in mine about 2 years ago now and has been great so far. Reman/used is always a gamble.

 

[Redneckerson38]

another vote for Novak, I heard just enough horror stories like the one Mac went through, to just save up a few more pennies and I bought a new Novak ax-15 to replace previously my rebuilt nv3550 that was in the jeep when I bought it, it had a grinding sound like it was full of pea gravel in every gear except 4th, and that was just as smooth as could be.

 

[JMT]

Currently my 97 TJ has the original Ax-15 w/ 270k miles a broken first gear by the PO when out wheeling. The tranny shifts good in all other gears, will still go into first gear when the engine is off or when on and clutch is pushed in, but as soon as I let off the clutch a little it makes a harsh grinding noise and pops out of gear everytime (only in first)....

I'm thinking its about time for a new tranny, as I'm tired of starting in second on hills... I was looking for advice on the quality difference between a Reman vs brand new Ax-15 from Novak. Also being a student with a limited budget I was curious how plausible finding a donor AX-15 out of a parts jeep would be considering the price difference. I'm not really looking to rebuild unless last resort since the TJ is my daily and I'd rather swap out the current AX-15 in a weekend

Thanks in advance and hope your day is going well

As much as I wish you could find a good used unit to save some coin, it’s a gamble, and it could be a costly one.

I’d be inclined to see if I could get the new Novak. Maybe even borrow some money from your parents if needed.

 

[BathiasRei]

I’d be inclined to see if I could get the new Novak.

I agree this seems to be the angle I’m gonna take from general consensus. Gonna get my ducks in a row then call Novak come summer

 

[MikekiM]

I just did a new AX15 from Novak a few months ago after the NV3550 detonated itself. It is my daily driver & weekend warrior and it needed to be right the first time. Swapping transmissions is not a job I ever thought I would have to do, but at this point with the pain of paying for it long gone, I'm glad I did it. I've been driving it since December.

I pondered a reman for about an hour. Looked at every option I could think of. As Dustin says the price difference didn't support not going with a new box. I had all the parts shipped right to my shop. Bolted up with no problem (other than having to clearance a bung on the housing to clear the transfer case shifter cable bracket).

If you do go with a new one, don't use Royal Purple fluid! Replace as much as you/your wallet can manage while the transmission is out.

Happy to help you along with the research.