For those who drive vehicles with a manual transmission, you will be well aware of the importance of a good transmission synchronizer. If you don’t want your driving to be complete with clunky gear shifts and jolts, then you need a functional synchronizer to smooth out your gear shifts and make accelerating easier and faster.
Since the purpose of the synchronizer is to make gear shifting smoother, then it will be pretty easy to tell when your synchronizer has worn out or gone bad. Clunky gear shifts and grinding are an obvious indication of a transmission synchronizer that might need to be replaced.
On average, the cost to replace a transmission synchronizer in a vehicle is close to $1750, though prices could be a few hundred dollars more or less. Labor can cost between $600-$1300 depending on where you live, and parts cost around $200-$400.
This cost guide explores the costs associated with transmission synchronizer replacement for different vehicles with manual transmission. We’ll compare price quotes from different online retailers, as well as different labor costs in different locations. We’ll also share tips on how to cut costs on this replacement and other insights. Read on to learn the specifics.
Saving On Labor Cost -DIY
While the average cost of replacing a transmission synchronizer is somewhere between about $1500 and $2000, the price you pay for your car will vary. It is possible to install a synchronizer yourself if you have the knowledge. And if you choose to take this replacement route, you could save yourself hundreds, if not more than $1000, in labor costs.
Cost of New Transmission Synchronizers
When it comes to the cost of parts, you’ll pay significantly less than you pay for labor. You can find new transmission synchronizers for fairly affordable prices online, ranging from $200-$400 each in most cases.
Also note that if you are paying for professional labor to install a new transmission synchronizer, you may be able to get a deal. For example, you might get a discount on the parts if you buy them through the auto body shop doing the service.
Price Quotes
We’ve researched the prices for several different types of transmission synchronizers for sale online.
Many vehicle owners buy their parts from online retailers or resale sights if they plan to do a DIY installation. Below, we compare these price quotes to show the range of prices you might face when buying synchronizers.
- F4BZ-7124-B Ford Genuine Part Transmission Synchronizer – Sold on eBay, this transmission synchronizer is fitted for Ford vehicles with manual transmission. It’s priced at $140.
- USA Standard Gear® ZMZF1319-204-040 Manual Transmission Synchro Assembly – The USA Standard Gear Synchronizer Assembly Kit is sold online by CARiD at a price of $285.
- OMIX NP231 SYNCHRONIZER ASSEMBLY – This Omix Synchronizer Assembly Kit is priced at $407 and on sale for $345 by Morris 4×4 Center. It is fitted specifically for Jeep Wrangler manual transmissions between the years 1987-1993.
- Genuine BMW Manual Transmission Synchro Ring – Sold online via FCP Euro, this Genuine BMW Manual Transmission Synchro Ring is sold for $173. It’s fitted for BMW models including the BMW 2002 (1968-1976), BMW 2002tii (1974), BMW 1602 (1968-1971), and BMW 320i (1977-1982).
- NV5600 1-2 Synchronizer Assembly, NV22777 – This Allstate Gear transmission synchronizer sells for $100 online. It is fitted for the following vehicles: 2000-up Dodge Ram 2500 / 3500 3/4 and 1 Ton Trucks with Cummins Diesel Engine.
Cost of Labor to Install a Transmission Synchronizer
Labor costs are where you need to pay attention to when it comes to this replacement job. Most of the overall cost comes from labor prices, while synchronizers themselves cost much less than $1750, on average.
Since the hourly cost of auto labor typically ranges between $70-$80, you can get an estimate from an auto body shop of how long the job should take.
Multiply this many hours by their hourly rate, and you’ll know better what labor might cost.
If the transmission synchronizer parts are around $300 on average themselves, then we can expect labor costs to be closer to $1450 on average.
Costs for Different Synchronizer Gear Positions
Aside from the fact that parts and labor will cost differently for different vehicles, you should also be aware that there are multiple synchronizers involved in the manual gear shift.
You have your transmission synchronizer, and then you also have:
- 2nd gear synchronizer
- 3rd gear synchronizer
- 4th gear synchronizer
Each of these synchronizers may come with a different price tag, depending on the circumstance. Further, you aren’t always going to have to buy all or even multiple synchronizers at the same time for a replacement.
Take a look at the average cost for replacing different types of gear synchronizers.
2nd Gear Synchronizer Replacement Cost
If you end up needing to replace a second gear transmission synchronizer, then you should be aware of the cost of parts. These aren’t quite as expensive as the main synchronizer.
In fact, we pulled some price quotes for 2nd gear synchronizers online, to give an example of what costs could look like:
- OEM 350Z / G35 Manual Transmission 2nd Gear Synchro Assembly – This 2nd gear synchronizer is fit for Nissan 350Z models (2004-2008), as well as Infiniti G35 models (2004-2008). It’s sold by Z1 Motorsports for around $155.
- Synchronizer Ring – 2nd Gear – This synchronizer, sold by ECS Tuning online, is priced at $73. It’s fitted for Volkswagen Golf IV models with 1.8T, 2.0, TDI, and VR6 12v engines.
If you replace the 2nd gear synchronizer yourself, you will save money on labor costs and only pay for parts.
However, if you end up paying for an auto body shop to take care of it, you could be looking at several hours’ worth of labor costs.
3rd Gear Synchronizer Replacement Cost
Third gear synchronizers also exist, and they also may need to be replaced if you put wear on your transmission. The prices for 3rd gear synchronizer parts can really vary depending on the quality of the vehicle you are working with.
Here are some price quotes for third gear synchronizers being sold online:
- OEM 350Z / G35 Manual Transmission 3rd Gear Synchro Assembly – Z1 Motorsports sells this 3rd gear synchro for a little over $70. This is a pretty good deal, and the part is fit for 2004-2008 Nissan 350Z and 2004-2008 Infiniti G35 models.
- Mitsubishi L200 2.5 DiD Gearbox Genuine EO Late 3rd Gear Synchro Hub Repair Kit – This kit includes more parts than just the synchronizer ring for the 3rd gear. It costs more – $720 – because it contains repair parts for the hub as well. It’s sold on eBay under the brand ASAP Gearbox Parts for Mitsubishi vehicles.
- RING, SYNCHRONIZER (FOR 3RD GEAR) – This 3rd gear synchronizer ring is a stand-alone part sold on Priority Toyota Chesapeake’s website. Priced at $35 (MSRP of $42.09), it’s fitted for more than 100 vehicle variants, including certain Scion models between 2008 and 2014 and certain Toyota models between 2003 and 2013.
Again, you’ll need to consult with an auto body shop about the hourly rate and time frame for replacing this synchronizer if you don’t DIY the project.
It will likely take several hours to replace, but parts tend to run cheaper for the 3rd gear in most cases.
4th Gear Synchronizer Replacement Cost
Finally, you may have to replace a 4th gear transmission synchronizer, as well, if you notice a grinding noise when you go into 4th.
Note that many manufacturers make the 3rd and 4th gear synchronizers to be interchangeable. You will often see them advertised as “3rd/4th gear synchro ring”.
Because of this, prices will be practically the same as they are for the 3rd gear transmission synchronizer rings. And labor costs should be pretty similar, too.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Replacement
One factor affecting costs, especially if you buy parts online and do a DIY replacement, is what type of parts kit you buy. Assembly kits are going to be the most ideal option since they should contain all the necessary parts for a replacement or repair.
However, if you just buy a transmission synchronizer ring, you could end up having to buy supplemental parts separately for the assembly. These parts will add up if you buy them separately, so looking for a kit is a good idea. Further, you may find that the cost of auto labor for synchro replacement varies depending on where you live.
Some auto body shops don’t work on manual transmissions, so keep this in mind and note that labor costs will be dependent on taxes and other factors in your region. For example, auto labor costs cost a lot more in places like California and Washington, D.C. than they do in places like Ohio or Wisconsin.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining a manual transmission vehicle can be costly if you don’t take good care of your transmission. Having good transmission synchronizers can help with this, though. On average, it costs about $1750 to replace a transmission synchronizer, though you can cut costs by installing them yourself.