If it's done by the 2 AAMCO's that are near me, they just R&R the transmission.

It's sent to one of the main rebuilding stores in the area.  The rebuilding stores are also the one's that do the custom transmission builds.

GregM

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Scott
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2016 3:58 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Transmission woes - '91 Carat autotranny won't shift into 3rd.

that price is right in the ball park IMO.

One advantage of dealing with a transmission shop is they don't especially charge to remove and install the trans ..
where if you hired a vanagon-friendly shop to pull your trans, then you ship it to a known-good experienced VW and vanagon transmission rebuilder shop like German Transaxle in Bend OR ...
you'll have the expense of that R & R labor, the shipping both ways ..
and hope your core is good.
You'll sure spend more than 1500 to 1800 that way  for sure ..but you'll have a very high chance of success.

I just had them do one for me for an 86 I have ..
they dyno test it before sending it out even.
use really good synthetic fluids, etc.

with AMCO there's some risk I think.  I keeping expense as low as possible you might take a chance with them.

Ask them how many vanagon or VW automatics they've done..
and if they do the rebuidling  work right there.
It's a quite convention automatic trans ...shouldn't be a problem IF they actually do good careful work and care .
Scott

On 05/17/2016 08:39 AM, John Rodgers wrote:
> The saga continues. My mechanic has run out of ideas. Doesn't know 
> what else to do, and being essentially an engine rebuild specialist, 
> suggests I get it to a transmission shop and have them check it out. S 
> far all local shops but one turned me down. I got everything from "we 
> don't work on VW'S of any kind" to " our insurance doesn't cover 
> vanagons". I think basically they just don't wan't to do Vanagons. The 
> one exception was AAMCO Transmissions of Birmingham. They are a 
> franchise outfit, and said they would do it, but for this area I 
> thought the pricing a little high,'  like
> $1500 to $1800.
>
> Anyone experienced with people?
>
> John
>