smshirk

We put so few miles on my wifes 968 that I wsn't really sure the pinion bearing had risen it's ugly head until this past weekend. i drove it up to the mtns and it has gotten really bad. Anyone know what I should expect to pay for the repair?

968workaholic

Cost of just replacing the bearing isn't that expensive. But, most guys rebuild the entire trans while it is apart. Kind of one of those "while you are in there" sort of things. If the funds aren't readily available for a complete rebuild, it might be smarter to wait on the bearing replacement until you can afford a rebuild. Nothing is worse than haveing a new pinion bearing put in, only to start grinding syncros 10,000 miles later. Just my two cents

RajDatta

Prices are all over the place, expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $1200 depending on where you take it. This should include all related bearings, syncros.
Raj

Eric_k

Those prices sound low to me Raj. It seems to me you would be paying that much in just labor for a complete rebuild. I was quoted a couple times, above $2k for just parts (all bearings, gaskets, synchros).

If you know where you can get the job done for that price, let me know where and I'll send my 2nd tranny off!

RajDatta

Eric, you have a PM.
Raj

Lord_Galva

I was quoted $1500 for pb on my car. But they also said that I didn't need a replacement for a while.

RajDatta

Last time I had it done was 3 yrs back on my SY coupe. I cannot comment on current prices since Porsche seems to increase prices on its parts randomly.
Raj

smshirk

Not as bad as I had thought. thanks for the replies. My wife is getting new granite counters in the kitchen, a rebuild for the tranny will be easy to swing just after she gets that done. No fuss at all

Tom Pultz

What are the symptoms of a worn pinion bearing? My 944 S2 makes a lot of groaning/"thrashy" kind of noises on deceleration, especially in the lower gears. Other than the weird noises, it shifts and works beautifully. I've been told it has a severely worn pinion bearing race. True?

968workaholic

https://rennlist.com/forums/968-forum/358003-pinion-bearing-audio-samples.html

Flwbyu was kind enough to take some samples so others may know what to expect.

RajDatta

My car has similar sounds at deceleration as well and it is the pinion bearing. I don't hear anything when accelerating or when shifting, just when coasting.
Raj

smshirk

Whine when decelerating initially, sort of like a jet engine sound but not exactly. At this point the whining is noticable almost all of the time and keeps getting louder. My mechanic told me about a year ago that he didn't recommend repair since we put so few miles on it, but I can't stand the noise anymore. There does not appear to be any effect on performance, shifting, etc

Tom Pultz

I don't think the noises I am hearing with my S2 are the same as those attributed to the 968 pinion bearing problem. I don't hear any whining, just a groaning, rumbling or thrashing sound on deceleration... it's hard to describe It is also particularly noticable when driving slowing in 1st or 2nd gear under light load where you are on and off the throttle.... you hear a of gear "rattle."

Stephen Porter

FWIW, I've never heard of any S2's having pinion-bearing problems. Although I'm sure there have probably been individual failures, I've never heard anything about there being a design or manufacturing flaw like the 968's.

I bought a '95 968 at auction a year or so ago and was lucky to be able to return it for pinion-bearing problems (it had a LOT of other problems also--long story). I noticed kind of low-pitched whine at cruising speeds--not really bad, but in this case I was HOPING that it was the dreaded pinion bearing--and it was! I was luckier than I was smart, and very relieved to have gotten out from under a serious lapse in judgment.

944Sknight

Hey Raj, this is Bill, you sent me that resistor kit non air bag conversion on steering wheel. But anyway, do you know any place that sell the pinion gear and ring at a more reasonable cost?