I took my tranny in to be rebuilt today...and when I stopped by at the end of the day and they had it torn apart...the guy showed me that a small chunck was missing out of the bell housing....right next to a bolt hole. (about the size of your thumb. He says that this would cause some vibration...and I've had a hella vibration as long as i can remember (worst at 90 MPH). Well he said the rebuild would be $1,100 w/ a 1 year warranty (sounds about right doesn't it?)...but here's the thing...he says he has to get a remand case...and it'll be an extra $300....taking my total to $1,400 Does that sound right for a tranny case? Can the current one be fixed?

 

At $1400 aren't you about $100-$200 short of just getting a complete trans, no exchange, from Pro-Built? It migh be another option to consider, unless you have a love affair with your exisiting trans. (LOL) I'm not sure what a reman case goes for. The exisiting case could be tig welded, but you would have to consider that cost, the additional running around to find a guy to weld it, & whether the weld is in a non-critical zone. It would be cheaper just to get a good used case. The problem is now, you are partially commited to the shop that disassembled your trans. Hope it all works out for you.

 

Yea, I thought about that....but now that I've had the tranny out of the car and taken apart...I owe the shop $300 if I tell them to stop now....just like you said "you are partially commited to the shop that disassembled your trans." so I'd have to shell out the $$$ for the new tranny and TQC, plus another $300....just don't have that much ya know? Thanks

 

Core charge seems to run around 200....I think he is a little high.
As for the hole...Ive been running with one ear gone for about 8mo now.(installing new tranny this weekend). I cant even tell its missing.
Dont think I would pay for a rebuild in a broken case though.

 

I remember that "catch"... when Lee Myles did my trans, they tore it apart, told me it was completely shot, showed me broken pieces, and told me a price. I said I'd think about it- then the guy tells me it'd be $300 labor if I don't have the work done. Hm; you'd think that'd be mentioned up front, right?

Why not get a junkyard 700r4, tear the guts out, and give it to 'em? "Hey, here's a case. It was in my friend's basement." I've been quoted $100 for a 700r4 from the junkyard I usually go to.

 

I thought about getting a junked 700...but there is one junkyard here where I live...and it's for foreign trucks....and I dont really have time to go looking around in surrounding cities. Thanks for the idea though. How much did you end up paying for that rebuild? Did it hold up?

 

Unless the hole is at the alignment dowel, and that should be checked for wear too by the way, I don't buy that it caused your vibration. More likely your Tires/Wheels/Driveshaft. There is nothing special about the case either. I don't mind charging for a part that is needed but it sounds like he is trying to hit a home run. Best part is, if he does change it he will probably stick it into the next job that comes along.

 

Yea, I think he's BSing me. It's not a self owned shop....and he's just the manager...so that gives me less reason to believe that he would try to rip me off...but I think he is. But there's really nothing I can do....I'm already committed to them as far as taking the tranny out and apart...so If i tell them no...and try to take it somewhere else, it's just gonna end up costing way more. And what REALLY gets me is that the chip in the case is visible on the outside...so he really shoulda called me and told me that I had that problem before he took it apart. And I would tell him to just put the old case back in...but he'd pull some **** about "that will mess up your warranty" This is why I normally do all my own work

 

"he's just the manager...so that gives me less reason to believe that he would try to rip me off"

Ever hear of commission?

 

Oh i know how that goes...i used to get commission. Good news though....I went ahead w/ the rebuild (against my will)....well i've put a good amount of miles on it....shifts good...and the vibration is gone...surprisingly. So i guess I have nothing to complain about right now. Thanks for the help.