Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

I bought THIS trans back in 03 just as I was learn'n how to use a PC and get on ebay, I paid $695.00 and drove down to Spring Hill and picked it up in person, it's been stored in a spare bedroom closet in my house since, until last Friday.

Couple weeks ago I googled their site to refresh my memory which build trans I bought, I ran across many bad reviews about this place, after read'n a bunch I decided to tear into it and make sure everything looked ok. The last thing I'd want to happen is put it engine and all in my GTA then have to turn around and pull it all back out !

This is what I found;

1) Front pump splines worn 3/4 away. (didn't notice when I picked it up)

2) Anti-Clunk Spring installed wrong.

3) Tail shaft bushing all galled up.

4) Drive shaft pinion bushing all galled up.

5) Every clutch drum and planetary bushing worn slap out.

6) They installed new clutch friction disc in all four clutch packs but left the old glazed over steel rings between the new friction disc, that's like throw'n new brake pads on a glazed over brake rotor, guaranteed to slip.

7) The servo was flop'n around in it's bore because the seal ring is worn slap out.

8) No gasket under the filter.

9) The best one; Their "SUPERIOR HIGH PERFORMANCE REPROGRAMMING SHIFT KIT" consisted of hog'n out a couple holes in the valve body spacer plate, then left the freak'n burrs to break off into the passage.

Sooo, after spend'n another 400 bux in REAL performance parts, I now will have the "performance" trans I was looking for.

Thanks Monster Transmission for the $695 JUNK core transmission......

t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

From what I understand, those trannies are re-assembled by replacing only the obvious worn out parts, and not re-built from case to seals the way even AAMCO would.
Reminds me of the tune-up shops in the 80s -- the only things replaced were those that had failed --
IE ... burned plug wires, reset dwell, maybe new points, new air filter if you were lucky... etc...

And yet there are happy customers that swear by them.

( edit )
Refreshed, not rebuilt

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Well t-top, that must have been one blind MF'er that put this one back together !

Attempted to install ALL the new bushings today and found a hair line crack in front direct drum, more out of pocket to fix this POS.....

At-least when I'm done I'll have a fully "rebuilt" transmission.

1983Chimaera

Not meaning at ALL to make light of your issue, but you piqued my curiousity about Monster Trnsmissions, especially after having seen their ads in issues of Car Craft for years. So, I looked up their reviews on Google and found sooooooooooooooooooooo many complaints, most pretty similar to yours. The common theme seems to be "Put trans in, drive 20 miles, tow home car". Their customer service response on BBB consists mainly of blaming the consumer for everything from improper install to fluid issues to miscommunications...But never once admitting fault. Every complaint speaks of loud grinding noises, complete loss of one or more gears, metal shavings / particulate in fresh trans fluid, and in one case another company's rebuild label under the painted on Monster label (which hilariously honored their better 5 yr warranty over the 90 day that Monster denied!!). I'mma grab some popcorn and a soda and sit here reading these tonight, they're almost as much fun as reading Jiffy Libe complaint horror stories!

t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

Agreed.
Not meaning to make your situation seem less an issue than it is,
sorry if I came about that way.
IIRC, there was a member that took apart theirs to find ball bearings missing or in the wrong slots, the valve body gouged, shavings -- not just a glint but shavings!!, and similarities to yours.

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, I read for a couple hours myself. After seeing how ALL these complaints were NEVER MT's fault and very few customers were being satisfied is what prompted me to strip mine down.

The good part of my situation is, I didn't have to pay a shop R&R twice and ship'n back to them so they could deny they were at fault and charge more to fix their own screw-ups. Most of those other customers are out thousands deal'n with this RIP-OFF place, In a way I'm glad I'm only out a few hundred..... But, that few hundred could have been used elsewhere on my project.....

zz3irocz

I thought about buying a Monster Transmission last year but decided against it after reading all of the complaints on the BBB site, seems to me they spend tons of money advertising and don't really care about what they sell. I ended up getting mine rebuilt locally for $1,600 by a guy that's been doing it for 30 years. All new high energy clutches and steels, new high volume pump, corvette servos, all new seals, trans mount, new convertor, and some other parts plus they removed and installed the transmission. I was told it would have no problem handling 400 hp and he gave me a 2 year warranty. It's been working great so far and has nice firm shifts.

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

I guess you can say this screw'n was my own fault, by not knowing enough about PC's and the internet way back then. For years now since learning, I check ALL vendors out before pull'n the trigger on anything, I read reviews on every product I purchase as well.

I can't believe they now get 1,249.00 for JUNK like this !

zz3irocz

By the time you click all of the little options on their site an equivalent to the transmission I have would have cost $200 more than having mine rebuilt plus I still would have had to put it in. I prefer to deal with local businesses, much easier to deal with if there is an issue and usually cheaper too. I'm currently having my engine rebuilt at a place 20 miles from my home.

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Well, I bought from this place because their only 1 1/2 hrs away and figured I would get a good product knowing I lived close enough to drive in and open a can of whoop azz on em.

Had I installed this JUNK trans back then in the project I bought it for, I still would have been screwed after reading all those reviews.

It looks like as long as they can screw unsuspecting customers they will continue to be in business.....

1983Chimaera

I need a 4L60 rebuilt with a TCI Streetfighter kit (already have the kit, plus TCI's front and rear 5 pinion planetaries, a Corvette servo, and Dacco 2200 rpm Corvette stall converter). The 4L60 is pulled apart and has ben boiled out, just needs reassembly. Problem is I haven't been able to find any shops willing to do it without trying to screw me. Last one I talked to had an "Any car transmission rebuild" special for $400, including removal and re-install and 2 yr warranty. When I told them what I had they quoted my $800, no warranty, and that's with me installing it. After that I bought the Cliff Ruggles 700R4 book and the Haynes GM Transmission book, and have been studying how to do it myself. Thankfully I'm in no hurry to get it done.

86iroct5

you bought a trans 13 years ago, never tested it and had high expectations. monster doesnt claim "rebuilt" "all new" they simply state performance transmission. their money back and warranty seems pretty good for an aftermarket performance transmission. should have installed it when you bought it see what it did. and at $695 what did you think you were getting? if its too good to be true it is.

i dont think you should be going in on monster.

im not a monster supporter or fan, i do my own work. i just work in customer service and despise people that want to blame someone other than themselves.

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Easy for you to say since your not out 695 bux purchase price and now the cost to fix it properly, it makes NO difference when I bought this trans..... And I'm glad I didn't waste the time/money put'n this JUNK in back then, things in life happen and projects get put on hold.

The way this POS was cobbled together, there's no way it would have went 5 miles if it moved at all.

As for their *cough cough* "money back" or "warranty", it's NOT worth the paper it's written on......

Go read some of their reviews then come back and tell me how good it is !

The ONLY blame I'll accept is not knowing how to properly use a PC back then to read reviews, BTW..... I work in customer service as well......

RubberDucky

iTrader: (4)

Why shouldn't he? I could understand if the issue was from the trans sitting for over a decade, but installing parts incorrectly? Come on now, don't be a troll.

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Thanks RubberDucky,

Your right, I have every right to warn others of what I found. Sitting a decade in my climate controlled bedroom closet didn't cause this trans to wear slap out/ crack parts and change the way it was assembled.

It was a POS when I put it in there and still a POS when I took it out.....

OrangeBird

iTrader: (1)

I'm with Restrorob here , an agreed upon sum of money for a supposedly confirmed working transmission was paid , and a working unit was not delivered . End of story , all other kinds of noise about who despises what notwithstanding , is that Rob didn't get what he paid for . And deserves the right to complain a bit for getting the proverbial "short end of the stick" ......

alex722607

iTrader: (3)

When I needed a 4L60e for my LS swap.... I went with a company called Tranmission Kings in Virginia. For a stock completely rebuilt trans going into a "2002 trans am with an LS1" (really it is an 88 GTA with a 5.3) it cost me 1100 shipped to my door. It would have been 1000, but I didn't send them my 700 as a core.

Ruckusz28

iTrader: (3)

At least they make a real nice energy drink!

IROCU2

How is the trans performing? Are you satisfied with the outcome?

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Just a update on the trans that keeps giving......

The first list was what I found just disassembling, during further inspection and assembly I found the splines between the front sun gear and shell excessively worn. When I went to remove the forward clutch piston from the drum for new seals, I found a piece of old o-ring laying inside and they had left the forward clutch "cushion spring" out. Moved to the direct drum piston for new seals and found five springs totally missing.

Word of advise, DON'T buy ANY trans from this place !

If you go ahead, plan on a TOTAL rebuild before you install it, AND...... Make sure you have a old core trans handy to rob cracked-broken-worn out-missing parts out of......

alex722607

iTrader: (3)

Very well, the only thing that ever gave me an issue was that the gear that engages each gear (what the shifter cable controls inside the trans) came loose, it was held on by a nut. No damage though - just dropped the pan and tightened it - 2 months all okay so far.



the place I got mine from offers Monster Transmissions as well. - atleast they did when I got mine. (I didnt get one though)

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

I worked for aamco in high school doing R&R.. got to see how they did rebuilds they would take used steels. And place them in a cement mixer with broken glass.and call them fresh steals. they were the correct thickness. So I would guess that was okay. clutches seals and bushings would be replaced.but other large hard parts would not be replaced aka good to go. Sun shells planet sets.. shafts..but they would all drive out not come back on a tow truck...

jmd

iTrader: (4)

Seriously? 12 years?

They didn't waste your $695. You did. At this point it's a sunken cost in your vehicle maintenance.

Buying bottom dollar with warranty and expressly junking the warranty by hoarding parts indefinitely is some kind of silly. And don't get me wrong, I'll buy cheap and I'll hoard parts. But this? How many people do you imagine work there that were there in 2003?

No one needs your advice. Plan on a rebuild if you buy from them? No one is going to be buying a trans. from them as a core.

I just can't figure one thing out. And that's which cousin of yours stole the rebuilt trans. for his pick-up and left you a core in your house.

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Let me help you out with this, that's totally

This is a REVIEW board, and I gave a REVIEW !

It makes NO difference WHEN this trans was bought, the FACT remains it was JUNK.

Now go off and troll someplace else.....

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

We have no proof of that. He never installed it, never tried it. He took it apart and decided he was an expert transmission builder. Must have been a skill he picked up in the 13 years his project was on hold, huh?


-- Joe

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

No Joe..... More like 37+ years in the automotive repair industry......

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

Why would you buy a refreshed transmission then ?

-- Joe

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Well Joe,

Around my neck of the "woods" mud truck racing and mud bogs are a BIG pass time, the TH350 is a highly sought after trans..... When I bought my 74 C10 pick-up as a roller way back then, I didn't think it would be that hard to locate a core trans. to build.

The one local trans. shop wouldn't sell just a core and wanted way more than what I paid for this "JUNK" core because I didn't have a core to trade in.

Since then I've had medical issues myself on top of taking care of both my elderly parents until they passed, I was unable to nor had time to deal with any "projects". Since their passing I've gotten a little better and saved my GTA from the scrapper and am building it instead of another "hot rod show truck" (avatar).

It was easier at my age and condition to go into this trans. and check it out (after reading horror stories) before installing it, I can't do things 2-3 times in hope that they work, it has to be right the first time.

I can tell ya, the hack that "worked" on this trans. was by far NO "expert"......

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

I've had a 700r4 from them in my car for over a year now with a good amount of miles, not one single issue. same for this kid I met around the corner who has a thirdgen. Maybe they changed their ways and stopped re-using old parts, maybe they haven't. I just know from my experience that the trans shifts nice and tight and have had zero problems with it. the tail shaft bushing looked fine as well, never tore it apart like you have but so far it's been fine.

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

Wait.. I'm confused. So you didn't have a trans to build, so you bought that one?

TH350s are plentiful around here.

-- Joe

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

That's right Joe,

I bought the truck and GTA as rollers, I had no trans or engines for either !

I since have engines (350) for both but still have no trans for the truck now since it's going in the GTA, I'll likely end up selling all the new and NOS parts I bought over the years for the truck and scrap it.

I'm get'n too old to be build'n vehicles, all I want to do is try finishing this GTA so I can enjoy it the few years I have left.....

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Without a doubt, as I mentioned in my first post, I picked it up in person at their shop. It was sitting on the shelf in their "showroom" area and had their "fancy" MM painted on the bell housing, I talked to Josh and the other guy for quite some time before loading it up and making the drive back home.....

OrangeBird

iTrader: (1)

Well , having seen these types of things happen before with respected companies , I can offer up a couple of possible guesses as to why the rebuild looks bad . One reason is maybe that particular transmission was rebuilt by the sloppy intern , or maybe by a disgruntled employee who knew he was about to be fired and decides to get a little revenge on his boss before he gets the boot ? Don't laugh , those two scenarios happen a LOT more than most folks realize , I have seen the results of "employees gone bad" and it ain't pretty .

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

I have never purchased anything from them so I can't really confirm the same outcome, but I have done a lot of research on them because of Spike TV back in the day and was considering them at one point. Nothing but bad reviews, especially in the Blazer community. Sorry to hear about what happened Rob, try to put the focus on your GTA from this point forward and move on...

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

While I don't doubt what you say happens OrangeBird, I don't believe that's what happened in my case. See, MT started business around 1-16-2003, I made my purchase around June/July of that year. At that time it was a two man show, Jason and what I believe was a co owner, they had just moved into this new shop in Spring Hill. The place was empty other than a couple transmissions on a shelf, I didn't even see a vehicle in the shop being worked on.

With that said, I'd have to think it was one of these guys or both that hacked this trans together.

Also.....This "respected company" is still put'n out junk transmissions to date even with all the people working for them now, I see he trains his employees well.

All people have to do is read; http://monster-transmission.pissedconsumer.com/



Thanks Street Lethal,

I just had to get it off my chest and put a warning out there for others, I'm sure after a couple more years of memory fade, I'll forget all about it.....

OrangeBird

iTrader: (1)

Thank you for the info about it being a "one man show" , and your right , in that case there isn't any one else to blame for the improper rebuild . One thing's for sure , I am happy you didn't install it and then find it was built wrong , removing a supposedly rebuilt transmission would really suck ...

Poseidon

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

Well, I'm Sorry. I just found it slightly odd that you went with a budget rebuild company yet seemed to know everything about rebuilding transmissions.



-- Joe

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

You're right joe,

It was odd for me as well to do such a thing, I should have traveled across the state to a different area and found a rebuildable core.

Lesson learned.....