What's involved in tightening the belts on the transmission of a 2001 Tribute?

 

There are no belts in your transmission to to tighten......If you are really having a transmission problem there are folks here that might be able to help you solve it....

 

No belts???? What was that that Mazda fixed on my Tribute when it was under warrenty when the trans was slipping?

 

The bands.

 

What are we doing here, playing games?

 

No games, just trying to be succinct. Auto tranny's have bands that can wear and slip and tightening them may help. I never heard of belts in a tranny. Suggest you talk with experienced tranny mechanics to understand your options and risks. If yours is 4 cyl. and 2 wheel drive you might have less costs and issues to fix.

However, for my 2001 tribute es model tranny, to really fix the problem of severe slipping at 160K, would have required a complicated rebuild...much more than tightening the bands; For that tranny and engine combination the need for tranny rebuild is common. Some say its due to too small of a tranny for the power it transfers with the 6 cylinder engine, whereas for the 4 cylinder engine it works fine. A larger tranny would not fit in the restricted space on the 4 wheel drive model, so they compromised with this smaller less robust tranny. The extra power of the 6 cyl. causes excess heat and more rapid wear.

On the es model removal of the tranny is more difficult than for most cars, many shops charging $800 -1000 just for removal and installation, another $2000-3000 for the rebuild or replacement tranny.

For me the choice was a rebuilt one from autozone for $1600 plus installation and a 3 year waranty. It has been fine so far. I'm using synthetic fluid to help with the heat and wear issue.

Good luck