AAMCO-- any experiences???
10-12-2003, 08:31 PM
#1
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Car: 1984 Firebird S/E
Engine: 350 V8, 4 barrel carb
Transmission: 700 R4 automatic overdrive
AAMCO-- any experiences???
Ok, here's my situation. I need to get my trans rebuilt (700R4) and the only game in town is AAMCO. Has anyone dealt with them? I am hoping they will do a good job as I want to do this once without return trips. I'm looking at a basic rebuild, TransGo kit and cooler with a new converter.
Any insights appreciated!
Brad
PS- Any other services I should consider while they are at it?
Any insights appreciated!
Brad
PS- Any other services I should consider while they are at it?
10-13-2003, 06:21 AM
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i actually heard good things about them....
my mom was having trouble with her trans and took it to them, they said it needed the tranny rebuilt, and it would cost her like two grand.
She called and asked me about it, i said two grand is pretty steep...you can just buy rebuilt ones for $1200 at least.
So i asked what they said was wrong with it exactly and she couldnt relate it. She said the only thing she understood was that they said it was a little low on fluid.
So i just went by one day to look at it for her. It was about 3 quarts low on fluid, put the fluid back in the trans was fine. It was low because one of the cooler lines was leaking, i fixed that for her later and she's been driving it since. trans has about 190k miles on it.
But what struck me is they commented that the fluid was low...but they didnt fill it up. Any reputable shop will fill the fluids up just as a matter of curtosy.
They didnt fill it up cause they knew it would fix the problem, and they'd be out 2 grand. So that didnt leave me with a very good impression of them.
So a year later i had a buick with a 200-4r in it that i knew for a fact the tcc solonoid died in it. Just out of curiosity i drove it to aamco to see what the had to say about it (a different one than my mom went to). Sure enough they said it needed a $2000 rebuild. I flat out asked them if they thought maybe it had an electrical problem, they said they were sure it didnt. Then i asked if they regularly replaced the tcc solonoid on their rebuilds, they said they didnt. I told the guy i knew for a fact the tcc solonoid was bad on it, and i'd just do it myself. He tried very hard to talk me out of it, saying there's real delicate electrical stuff i could mess up. Yeah, dude there's one electrical conector involved. So i fixed it in my driveway one day.
So....my opinion of them isnt so high. Despite the fact that they seem to be scamming jerks. Their prices seem just flat out insane. You could usually buy a new trans from gm for the price they want to rebuild it.
my mom was having trouble with her trans and took it to them, they said it needed the tranny rebuilt, and it would cost her like two grand.
She called and asked me about it, i said two grand is pretty steep...you can just buy rebuilt ones for $1200 at least.
So i asked what they said was wrong with it exactly and she couldnt relate it. She said the only thing she understood was that they said it was a little low on fluid.
So i just went by one day to look at it for her. It was about 3 quarts low on fluid, put the fluid back in the trans was fine. It was low because one of the cooler lines was leaking, i fixed that for her later and she's been driving it since. trans has about 190k miles on it.
But what struck me is they commented that the fluid was low...but they didnt fill it up. Any reputable shop will fill the fluids up just as a matter of curtosy.
They didnt fill it up cause they knew it would fix the problem, and they'd be out 2 grand. So that didnt leave me with a very good impression of them.
So a year later i had a buick with a 200-4r in it that i knew for a fact the tcc solonoid died in it. Just out of curiosity i drove it to aamco to see what the had to say about it (a different one than my mom went to). Sure enough they said it needed a $2000 rebuild. I flat out asked them if they thought maybe it had an electrical problem, they said they were sure it didnt. Then i asked if they regularly replaced the tcc solonoid on their rebuilds, they said they didnt. I told the guy i knew for a fact the tcc solonoid was bad on it, and i'd just do it myself. He tried very hard to talk me out of it, saying there's real delicate electrical stuff i could mess up. Yeah, dude there's one electrical conector involved. So i fixed it in my driveway one day.
So....my opinion of them isnt so high. Despite the fact that they seem to be scamming jerks. Their prices seem just flat out insane. You could usually buy a new trans from gm for the price they want to rebuild it.
10-13-2003, 10:27 AM
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DON'T.
Why not buy one from probuilt or somebody if you want all kinds of goodies in it It's going to be the about same price any way you cut it.
Or else go to another town.
Why not buy one from probuilt or somebody if you want all kinds of goodies in it It's going to be the about same price any way you cut it.
Or else go to another town.
10-13-2003, 11:52 AM
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Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: 383 Miniram AFR195
Transmission: Tremec TKO
Axle/Gears: BW 9 Bolt/3.70
My experience with them is limited but was so bad that I will never do business with them again. I believe that each shop is independently owned so the operating ethics would have more to do with the individual owners. I can not recommend them based on my experience.
$.02
-Schultzy
$.02
-Schultzy
10-13-2003, 01:27 PM
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Car: 87 Buick GN
Engine: 3.8L (231 cid) V6
Transmission: 200-4R
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt G80/ 3.42
Originally posted by Schultzy89GTA
I believe that each shop is independently owned so the operating ethics would have more to do with the individual owners.
I believe that each shop is independently owned so the operating ethics would have more to do with the individual owners.
If Dana at ProBuilt were working at AAMCO and built you a killer tranny, then you'd totally praise AAMCO. Unfortunately, the reverse is usually the case.
I'd ask around who had work done at your AAMCO, word of mouth spreads fast whether it's good or bad.
FWIW, I had an AAMCO rebuild on my 700R4 10 years ago that lasted about for about 4 years after that. Granted it was a typical stock rebuild and my car was nearly stock, but I still beat the crap out of it and never had any troubles with it. I'd say my experience with that AAMCO was good.
But if you're not sure about your AAMCO and want a tranny done right the first time, I highly recommend a ProBuilt.
10-13-2003, 05:52 PM
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Car: 1984 Firebird S/E
Engine: 350 V8, 4 barrel carb
Transmission: 700 R4 automatic overdrive
Hmmm... sounds like I may rethink this.
I've priced rebuilts on the internet and at the local discount parts stores. They want $900 plus for the trans with no install. Our AAMCO wants $900 for the total rebuild, labor and a new stock converter and fluids. Maybe this price is too good to be true. I know the guy at our shop that does the rebuilds supposedly has done trans work for some of the local racers. Sounds like I need to ask around about his work locally.
Thanks for the feedback. I don't want any problems with this thing, so I want it done right the first time.
Anyone else want to chime in on this? Again, thanks! Brad
I've priced rebuilts on the internet and at the local discount parts stores. They want $900 plus for the trans with no install. Our AAMCO wants $900 for the total rebuild, labor and a new stock converter and fluids. Maybe this price is too good to be true. I know the guy at our shop that does the rebuilds supposedly has done trans work for some of the local racers. Sounds like I need to ask around about his work locally.
Thanks for the feedback. I don't want any problems with this thing, so I want it done right the first time.
Anyone else want to chime in on this? Again, thanks! Brad
10-14-2003, 09:44 PM
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Car: 89 GTA
Engine: 383
Transmission: 4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12 bolt-3.73
They suck. Stay away from them. For that price you can get one that is built to take some power:
http://www.matchthemonster.com/
I helped a friend put one of these in a couple of weeks ago, and it has taken a few 100 hp passes on the nitrous bottle and still works good. Before that, he had an ammco tranny that was rebuilt by them 5 times and finally lost 3 and 4th gears after 5 years.
For $995, you can't beat that tranny. Do it yourself with some friends and save some cash.
http://www.matchthemonster.com/
I helped a friend put one of these in a couple of weeks ago, and it has taken a few 100 hp passes on the nitrous bottle and still works good. Before that, he had an ammco tranny that was rebuilt by them 5 times and finally lost 3 and 4th gears after 5 years.
For $995, you can't beat that tranny. Do it yourself with some friends and save some cash.
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10-14-2003, 09:53 PM
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i had my front and rear seals and bushings replaced bout 1 year ago...they are both leaking 
im not saying its because they did a shoddy job (i do beat on the car a lil )
im not saying its because they did a shoddy job (i do beat on the car a lil )
10-23-2003, 10:44 AM
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Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
STAY AWAY!!!!
I had my clutch done last September and the never replaced the throwout bearing... so if they forget that I would NEVER want them in my tranny...
Oh yah, plus it was $950 for the job... I just had it re-done by a pro shop place... $260 labor. Hmm...
I had my clutch done last September and the never replaced the throwout bearing... so if they forget that I would NEVER want them in my tranny...
Oh yah, plus it was $950 for the job... I just had it re-done by a pro shop place... $260 labor. Hmm...
10-23-2003, 11:30 AM
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: T-56
Originally posted by aaron7
STAY AWAY!!!!
I had my clutch done last September and the never replaced the throwout bearing... so if they forget that I would NEVER want them in my tranny...
Oh yah, plus it was $950 for the job... I just had it re-done by a pro shop place... $260 labor. Hmm...
STAY AWAY!!!!
I had my clutch done last September and the never replaced the throwout bearing... so if they forget that I would NEVER want them in my tranny...
Oh yah, plus it was $950 for the job... I just had it re-done by a pro shop place... $260 labor. Hmm...
10-23-2003, 01:04 PM
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Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Sure did... and that was after they had done it. The quote was not written and I "supposedly" could not hold them to it. They said if I didn't pay, they would bring me to court or some such ****. I sucked up my pride and payed for it.
Less than a year later, my old throwout bearing went. I brought the car back to them, only to find out the guy who owned it last year sold the business and moved to Florida... so no warranties were valid.
So, yah. I'm a little soured on AAMCO... something about AA's in repair names is not a good thing (MAACO!!!)
Less than a year later, my old throwout bearing went. I brought the car back to them, only to find out the guy who owned it last year sold the business and moved to Florida... so no warranties were valid.
So, yah. I'm a little soured on AAMCO... something about AA's in repair names is not a good thing (MAACO!!!)
10-23-2003, 01:04 PM
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Car: 1991 Formula
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T-5
I think on a whole, AAMCO sucks. If they can’t figure out the problem, they want to rebuild. When my tranny started making noise, I was in the vicinity of an AAMCO and asked them to check the fluid because I decided that I didn’t want to get dirty that day. They said the noise was a bad thing and that if I wanted to leave the car, they would have a rebuild kit in the morning. I said that all I wanted was them to check the fluid and add some if necessary. I was told that it had fluid.
When I put in my old T-5 (because I needed to, it’s my daily driver), I found out that my Tremec had no fluid. When I drove back to AAMCO and told him, he said that there was fluid in it when he checked it. I asked him how my tranny could drain it’s entire contents without leaving an once of fluid on the floor?
I’m still trying to get my money refunded.
When I put in my old T-5 (because I needed to, it’s my daily driver), I found out that my Tremec had no fluid. When I drove back to AAMCO and told him, he said that there was fluid in it when he checked it. I asked him how my tranny could drain it’s entire contents without leaving an once of fluid on the floor?
I’m still trying to get my money refunded.
10-23-2003, 01:07 PM
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Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Good luck on seeing any $ that you gave to them back! You can get 1000000000000000000000000000000's of excuses for free though...
10-23-2003, 04:29 PM
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: T-56
wow dude, sorry to hear that! i hate crap like that
Originally posted by aaron7
Sure did... and that was after they had done it. The quote was not written and I "supposedly" could not hold them to it. They said if I didn't pay, they would bring me to court or some such ****. I sucked up my pride and payed for it.
Less than a year later, my old throwout bearing went. I brought the car back to them, only to find out the guy who owned it last year sold the business and moved to Florida... so no warranties were valid.
So, yah. I'm a little soured on AAMCO... something about AA's in repair names is not a good thing (MAACO!!!)
Sure did... and that was after they had done it. The quote was not written and I "supposedly" could not hold them to it. They said if I didn't pay, they would bring me to court or some such ****. I sucked up my pride and payed for it.
Less than a year later, my old throwout bearing went. I brought the car back to them, only to find out the guy who owned it last year sold the business and moved to Florida... so no warranties were valid.
So, yah. I'm a little soured on AAMCO... something about AA's in repair names is not a good thing (MAACO!!!)
10-23-2003, 08:03 PM
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Car: '85 Z28
Engine: 305
Transmission: WC T5, 3.23 posi
I agree with everyone else, don't go there. You can get a Pro-Built 700R4 (Dana really knows his stuff) for less than what Aamco wants, and that includes shipping the tranny to your house!
10-23-2003, 08:23 PM
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Car: 1986 camaro
Engine: 383 sbc
Transmission: th-400
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 10 bolt/Detroit TrueTrac 4.
i have experience. years ago when my moms tranny in her dodge shadow went out she went there. they stole my damn gameboy.
10-24-2003, 02:46 AM
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I'll chime in on this one.
DON'T go to AAMCO. I had NOTHING but problems dealing with them. I had my 700r4 rebuilt two years ago. It was then RE-rebuilt 6 months later (forward clutch piston snapped in half). I'd say I've taken it to the shop a total of 7-8 times in 2 years for various problems. Now, the overrun clutches are burnt up and I'm going to be buying a rebuild kit from ProBuilt in a couple months. I talked to Dana - he knows his stuff.
-AJ
DON'T go to AAMCO. I had NOTHING but problems dealing with them. I had my 700r4 rebuilt two years ago. It was then RE-rebuilt 6 months later (forward clutch piston snapped in half). I'd say I've taken it to the shop a total of 7-8 times in 2 years for various problems. Now, the overrun clutches are burnt up and I'm going to be buying a rebuild kit from ProBuilt in a couple months. I talked to Dana - he knows his stuff.
-AJ
10-24-2003, 09:12 PM
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Car: 1984 Firebird S/E
Engine: 350 V8, 4 barrel carb
Transmission: 700 R4 automatic overdrive
Wow! Thanks for the replies guys! I appreciate your input. I never guessed that people had so many problems with AAMCO.
Being a national chain, I thought they might be ok. Guess I'll have to save up a bit more and go ProBuilt. My only problem is finding a shop to install it for me. I'll start looking around. Again, thanks!Brad
Being a national chain, I thought they might be ok. Guess I'll have to save up a bit more and go ProBuilt. My only problem is finding a shop to install it for me. I'll start looking around. Again, thanks!Brad
10-24-2003, 09:14 PM
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yeah i dont get it, i actually heard good things about them. But myself and everyone else seems to have nothing but problems with them.
You should rename the thread as "anyone have any GOOD experiences with aamco?"
You should rename the thread as "anyone have any GOOD experiences with aamco?"
10-24-2003, 11:36 PM
#20
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Originally posted by Schultzy89GTA
My experience with them is limited but was so bad that I will never do business with them again. I believe that each shop is independently owned so the operating ethics would have more to do with the individual owners. I can not recommend them based on my experience.
$.02
-Schultzy
My experience with them is limited but was so bad that I will never do business with them again. I believe that each shop is independently owned so the operating ethics would have more to do with the individual owners. I can not recommend them based on my experience.
$.02
-Schultzy
04-02-2006, 11:19 PM
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Car: 1984 Firebird S/E
Engine: 350 V8, 4 barrel carb
Transmission: 700 R4 automatic overdrive
To finish out this topic since I started it... I decided to try the local AAMCO here in Marion. Well, I have been well pleased with the results. The trans runs beautifully and I am happy with the outcome. Good people and the job was done on time and at the cost promised. I found out that the locals here speak highly of this particular shop and they stand behind everything they do. I guess it depends on who owns and runs each shop, but ours is top-notch. We recently had our grocery-getter old mini-van's transmission go out and they rebuilt that one and it runs like new... no problems. We are happy campers. Not cheap to get one done no matter who you go to, but these guys have done two for us and did a really great job on each. We may live in the sticks in Marion, Ohio, but we have a great trans shop!
Brad
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