anyone have trans work at aamco?

bombergp · #1 04-23-2006, 03:13 PM

I'm bringing my '01 3.1L SE to aamco for its no o/d prob. A co-worker had his Mercury Sable held for a month, 8yrs. ago by a different aamco shop, now closed or moved. The one I'm goin to been there 30yrs same owner.

maxwedge · #2 04-23-2006, 03:20 PM

Every shop is different Amco has some pretty tough franchise regs for sales volume and they can tend to oversell, you probably need the o/d clutch hub, about an 800.00 job on average, if ther rest of the unit is good you can choose to just replace that part, but they will try to upsell to an overhaul, your choice.

bombergp · #3 04-23-2006, 11:18 PM

Thanks for your reply & knowledge.

jessep28 · #4 04-23-2006, 11:57 PM

http://www.atra.com/

That is for the Automatic Transmission Rebuilder's Association. You can search for member shops in your area using this link: http://www.atra.com/source/amembers/...searchtype=reb

They are a trade group of Transmission Repair/Rebuilders. Any member shop has to adhere to a code of ethics and bylaws. If you feel like you were being ripped off or suggested an inadequate repair, you can go to them as well.

It might make you feel better, you might not care. It made me feel more comfortable dealing with an ATRA member shop. I felt that I was being dealt with professionally and suggested only the repair I needed (in my case, a new PCS).

I hope that helps and gives you another avenue to look at for your repair.

richtazz · #5 04-24-2006, 11:30 AM

I agree with Maxwedge. It really depends on the individual shop, as most Aamco's are independently owned. The one here in Flint, MI has just changed owners, so the jury is out. The old owner was a total Jacka$$. I'd rather drag my car down the street, stuck to my tongue like a cold metal pole in the winter, than allow them to work on it. I've heard the new owner is much better, so check the BBB and the above link for the location in your area.

troy1 · #6 04-24-2006, 12:50 PM

Aamco does good work but it really depends on the owner. Don't get the cheapest rebuild out there 9 times out of 10 your going to regret it. You pay for what you get like in everything else.

BNaylor · #7 04-24-2006, 01:12 PM

Troy what about Cottman? Have you heard of them before?

The only business I've ever done with AAMCO was to buy their version of "Lubegard" tranny additive. Less than $10.00.

GTP Dad · #8 04-24-2006, 05:54 PM

I have vast personal experience with AAMCO. The shop in Williamsport, PA has rebuilt two transmissions for me and I have been totally satisfied with the service I have received. One was in a Chrysler T&C van and the other in a 97 Pontiac GTP. The shop owner is great and he gave me warranties on both. The GTP got a 3 year 36K warranty at no extra cost. Once again the service you get depends on the owner just like the others said. Some will do an excellent job others won't. Do some research in your city and check with the BBB to see if there are any complaints about poor service.

ericn1300 · #9 04-24-2006, 07:06 PM

back in the 70's i took my pinto to aamco for a problem and they quoted me $400 for a complete rebuild to fix it. i was only making $1.75 an hour at the time and couldn't afford it. a friend of mine recommended a local shop for a second opinion. the guy took it for a test drive, put it up on the lift and replaced a vacumm line, took it out and test drove it again and brought it back and said "it's fixed", the longest sentence he had spoken yet, and billed me 50 cents for parts and one hour labor. less than a year later i read that aamco had settled with the state of california for a pattern of overcharging customers and agreed to change their ways. hope they have, but i'll never go back.

with a repair so expensive, it always pays to get a second opinion. ask your friends for referals in your area. also when dealing with a franchise or independant shop always check them out with the better business bureau, they are online now too.

troy1 · #10 04-24-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

Troy what about Cottman? Have you heard of them before?

The only business I've ever done with AAMCO was to buy their version of "Lubegard" tranny additive. Less than $10.00.

Cottman is just like AAMCO nationwide for the most part. You just have to do a little research when geting an overhaul so you dont get overhauled. Cottman bought all the AAMCOs in Minneapolis I would say they closed 70% of those stores. They advertise in our yellow pages but no shop in town go figure? Doing market research I guess.

BNaylor · #11 04-24-2006, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy1

Cottman is just like AAMCO nationwide for the most part. You just have to do a little research when geting an overhaul so you dont get overhauled. Cottman bought all the AAMCOs in Minneapolis I would say they closed 70% of those stores. They advertise in our yellow pages but no shop in town go figure? Doing market research I guess.

We've got two Cottmans that opened up last year. Shops look nice. There is only one AAMCO left in town.

The best kept secret for tranny IMO is Phoenix Retran if you live in the Southwest. Located in Phoenix, AZ which is probably the tranny failure capital of the U.S. $797 - $895 for a a rebuilt 4T65E tranny with exchange. $375 to swap it out. And it includes a 12 month, 12K mile Platinum warranty.

jessep28 · #12 04-25-2006, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

We've got two Cottmans that opened up last year. Shops look nice. There is only one AAMCO left in town.

The best kept secret for tranny IMO is Phoenix Retran if you live in the Southwest. Located in Phoenix, AZ which is probably the tranny failure capital of the U.S. $797 - $895 for a a rebuilt 4T65E tranny with exchange. $375 to swap it out. And it includes a 12 month, 12K mile Platinum warranty.

I might have to move down there. Knowing how stuff keeps going down on my car far earlier and also has every known Grand Prix defect so far, I'm sure the 4th gear splines will fail at 80k or so

Cost of living isn't too bad down there is it? I woudln't have to deal with snow either. But I hate the heat just as much.

BNaylor · #13 04-25-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessep28

I might have to move down there. Knowing how stuff keeps going down on my car far earlier and also has every known Grand Prix defect so far, I'm sure the 4th gear splines will fail at 80k or so

Cost of living isn't too bad down there is it? I woudln't have to deal with snow either. But I hate the heat just as much.

The cost of living is better than most parts of the country. Thats why so many have migrated to the Southwest or Sunbelt regions. We migrated from the Northeast (New Jersey) forty years ago. Plus a lot of job opportunities for someone right out of college or a trade school.

BTW - It does snow but it doesn't last. The sun shines just about every day.

bombergp · #14 04-26-2006, 09:28 PM

Monday the aamco shop replaced the tcc brake switch and said its all thats keeping the torque converter from locking up, it was getting signal the brakes are on. Yeah right, when I got to an open hi-way after rush hour's over it's the same as it was, no difference in rpms @60-75mph from D to 3rd.

jessep28 · #15 04-27-2006, 12:06 AM

Did the diagnosis sound correct when you authorized the repair?

What exactly are the RPM's when car is at that speed? Has this always been an issue, or has it just started?

Take it back if you believe the fix was wrong. Worst case they are giving you the runaround in fixing the problem in several repairs. Having to take apart the transmission several times for labor. But I think it was a wrong diagnosis.

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