more tranny news

V

viiiball

Registered
I went today to two shps for estimates...i have a leak at the pan(no big deal)a leak at the filler tube the o ring seal(another easy fix)and a leak at the front of the tranny which requires the tranny to be removed...the guy told me to do a rebuild at a cost of either $1800 or $2000 depending on the warranty plan.(I went to certified transmission)otherwise he could not guarantee the work the work if he just sealed it up.The other shop which is reputable said they wouldnt even touch it if i did not get a rebuild. I have maintained the tranny since i have had the car the fluid is like new and although it has 150k miles on it it runs damn fine (The road test came back 100 %)it will run even better with the recal kit and a chip.
do you guys think the rebuild is a good idea?that is a lot of scratch.I think i saw Geno had some low mileage used trannys for sale but I can't remember the $$$.But i am sure it was cheaper than $2000.
Anyway i am looking for some good advice here.like I said the tranny works great and I have maintained it regularly,is this guy trying to make a buck or is it time for a low mileage used or a rebuild and Geno if you got those trannys post some prices for me so I can compare to rebuild.or should I seal it up and drive it
it never fails just when i want to play somthing breaks!
 
RE: more tranny news

If it's working as well as you say, I'd simply replace the pan gasket, (get one of the reusable rubber and steel ones from Ford), fix the filler tube o-ring, (if it's not too much hassle), and put in Mercon V. Unless the front seal leak is so bad that it's pouring it out all over the place, I'd put a drip pan under it when you park at home and just live with it. Obviously, you'd want to check your fluid level regularly, but unless it's really bad, I certainly wouldn't go to all the trouble and expense to rebuild the tranny - replacing fluid is sure a lot less money than a rebuild, if you're only doing it because of the leak.

If you DO end up going for a rebuild, I'd go with one from Dennis Reinhart - I think the cost is about the same as you quoted from those other places. Or find a place that WILL replace just the front seal. The unfortunate part about just doing that is all the labor involved with dropping the tranny. If you later end up replacing the tranny, you have to do it all over again.

John
[link:mark8.org/lodnca|NorCal Chapter Website]
http://mark8.org/users/johnaec/Mark_VIII_s.jpg
'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6L
 
RE: more tranny news

Jeff, I do not trust any tranny shop! It is a very dishonest business. Whatever you do stay away from those AAMCO people - they burned me soooo bad. In my opinion all shops are a bunch of crooks. Find someone to fix your leak, most likely your local mechanic can handle the job. Feel it out and after that get many estimates. Maybe someone from the board can reccommend someone that is honest and that will do the right thing.
 
RE: more tranny news

I have to disagree about the Aamco places. My tranny went out and I took it to the local Aamco and they did a great job. Rebuilt it and replace the converter I forget the exact price, but believe it was right around 2 grand. Even gave me a 1yr unlimited miles warranty on it. Very up front and showed me the old one when they took it out. Runs and shifts great now.
 
RE: more tranny news

As far as shops go,generally,the national chains do not rebuild your parts.They just replace your trans with another one that they order in and they ship your old one to a rebuilder.I had some experience with Aamco and I had my tranny rebuilt by a locally owned shop and it cost me about half of the remove and replace job.But you have to find a reputable shop first.If you seem to know what kind of work needs to be done, the shop will be not so quick to screw you.Good luck
 
RE: more tranny news

I went today to two shps for estimates...i have a leak at the pan(no big deal)a leak at the filler tube the o ring seal(another easy fix)and a leak at the front of the tranny which requires the tranny to be removed...the guy told me to do a rebuild at a cost of either $1800 or $2000 depending on the warranty
Click to expand...

Man that is awful high! Ours is Bulletproof with all the updates and a Stall converter. Our price is $150.00 cheaper then the first price you were quoted.
 
RE: more tranny news

Gotta just love Certified Transmission. They won't even give a quote w/o hassle. First question "Well, have you had a chance to let someone look at it?" And then "Well, we really can't tell you what needs to be done without having a look at it." I hate dealing with them. Luckily we have a local tranny shop that you can bring your tranny in and get it back in 2-3 days (or have them do labor). They're always $200-$400 cheaper than anyone else, and thats getting back YOUR tranny too, so you know where its been, etc...
 
RE: more tranny news

I've read so many post's over the years (since back when the carcus board was started) about guys getting their trans rebuilt by various local shops or national chains. In a high percentage of these cases, there is some problem with the rebuild either initially or after only a few months of use. They then get it done again, or live with a messed up trans, or sell the car and are never heard from again. I know that when the time comes for me (and it has already come for the guy this post started over) I'm ordering a JW spec trans from that shop in Jacksonville. Yes it does cost a BIT more than a rebuild (I think they cost 1500$) but pulling a trans is a lot of work, and I only want to do it once in a great while. The unfortunate bottom line is that MOST alleged transmission shops do not employ technicians that are QUALIFIED and EXPERIENCED with the 4R70W transmission and its quirks.
 
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