Chris, et all...
$2500 for an auto rebuild is high by quite a ways. In reality, they usually
just need the seals and orings and clutches replaced. Hard parts are
available if they are worn and Jeffery's list of other non-kit items is
pretty good...I don't rebuild the automatics any more (as I am too busy with
the ones I enjoy and they make a big mess),  But I have a local guy in
Seattle who does em for me and I do the seals and diff stuff here . You
might try a local tranny shop who is willing to just do the auto section and
have your trusted guy do the seals...Holler if I can help.
Daryl of AA Transaxle
Duvall, WA. (Seattle area)
1-877-377-0773 toll free
425-788-4070
aatransaxle.com
86 Syncro Westy WBXTurbo

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Paquette" <cxp36@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2005 11:44 AM
Subject: '88 Westy Transmission Repair $2500?

> The automatic transmission in my '88 Westy has started to stick and slip,
> apparently indicating the impending end of its natural life. My regular
> mechanic (whom I trust) says that a "worst case" price to repair it is
> $2,500. Note that he doesn't work on transmissions himself, but rather
> removes it from the vehicle and then sends it out to a specialist. The
> price
> quoted came from that specialist.
>
> The key phrase is obviously "worst case", but I'd like to hear from any
> other listees who have had this repair done whether that sounds
> commensurate
> with what you paid so I can decide whether I need to take it somewhere
> else
> for repair.
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Chris Paquette
> Santa Monica, CA
> '88 Westy, "Rocinante"
>