Chevy & GMC Vans

Klementine's been acting up lately, shifting late or early or not at all. So I went to AAMCO. After looking at the dipstick, he pronounced that, after about 250K miles, the transmission was self-destructing. But he did say he would accept 1/2 down and balance in 90 and would rebuild the tranny.

Do I rebuild and get about another 250K out of her, or do I search for another buggy?

CaptSquid wrote: Do I rebuild and get about another 250K out of her, or do I search for another buggy?

It seems you have already answered your own question....

CaptSquid wrote:Klementine's been acting up lately, shifting late or early or not at all. So I went to AAMCO. After looking at the dipstick, he pronounced that, after about 250K miles, the transmission was self-destructing. But he did say he would accept 1/2 down and balance in 90 and would rebuild the tranny.

Do I rebuild and get about another 250K out of her, or do I search for another buggy?

NO NO NO, Don't go to AAMCO. Take it to Brown's Auto Service, (406) 259-4008. Be-careful of those chain stores. Especially when they will float the note. Do it right, Do it once.

I'd stay far far away from AAMCO,,,way to high. Your best bet is to find a local shop who probably has a 700 sitting around already rebuilt and with warrenty and a whole lot less than the big guys.
Probably damn ice in the cooler.
Good luck Mike

Find a smaller local shop. Green's trans was rebuilt with upgrades for $924.

Browns is HIGHER! But, in the interest of speed (having only one vehicle), I'll check them out to see if they have one sitting around.

CaptSquid wrote:Browns is HIGHER! But, in the interest of speed (having only one vehicle), I'll check them out to see if they have one sitting around.

May be higher, but I would bet folding money, that their work will last much longer than AAMCO. Jim

You'd probably lose that folding money. Brown's will rebuild EXACTLY to GM standards, while this AAMCO will rebuild to higher standards.

CaptSquid wrote:You'd probably lose that folding money. Brown's will rebuild EXACTLY to GM standards, while this AAMCO will rebuild to higher standards.

How much more is it for Brown's vs AAMCO to do the work? That will tell us how much folding money we would be talking about, cause we might have to bet.

Hey Mike,
We don't have Aamco up here but I would assume they are simular to Mr. Transmission and the like.
I have had good expieriences with the larger shops and not very good expieriences with the smaller shops.
Yes, you may save a couple of bucks using a smaller shop but it has been my expierience that the larger shops will stand behind there work with less questions asked than a smaller shop will.
Not to mention if it's a nation wide chain, and you break down away from home, you will be able to get it fixed under warranty no matter where you are.
There is so much competition out there now a days, you get what you pay for.
If you want to cheap out one way or the other, "you" will pay for it in the end. If your willing to put out some dollars for something, you will have peace of mind and some support behind you in the event something goes wrong in the future.

ps; whats "folding money" I've never heard that term before?

First & Foremost, Folding money is a 50 or better. They get folded and stuck in a compartment of my wallet. They only come out when it's gonna be for fun.

Second, I would challenge Y'all to look at the customer complaints filed against AAMCO. The only thing good about AAMCO is the well endowed girl who did some commercials for them years ago.

Jim

Good Morning Jim,
Mike can go to any shop, I only recommended he go to a nation wide dealer for the peace of mind and the nation wide warranty support. As he mentioned he plans on doing another 250k, so I'm guessing he's planning on hanging onto his van for a while to come.
It doesn't have to be Aamco as I am sure there are many other nation wide transmission repair shops he could use.
Be aware that most people don't post reviews when they have had a good expierience with a company as opposed to a bad one. So you are going to get far more bad reviews than good ones.
It's just human nature.
Thanks for explaining the folding money thing. Here in Canada we use 50's to light our Cubans.

Peter

Whoever does it, make sure they put in a new sun shell. I recommend upgrading to 'The Beast' sun shell, but the stock one is fine for most.

Too bad you live so far. My guy does the base rebuild for $649.

Green's complete build
Rebuilt trans $649
Alto 9 clutch 3/4 stack up $50
Corvette Servo $15
Wide band $25
Beast Sunshell $60
Rebuilt converter $125
---------------------------
Total build $924

http://www.shiftritetransmissions.com/

On second thought, too bad I don't have the time to make the drive to bring you one of his rebuilts. I'd love to visit Montana again.

AAMCO----SUCKS, I used them once and the trannie made it 2 miles, twice this happened, went to a local and ran for 50,000 + miles.

Or you could skip taking it anywhere and warranty you're own work, the transmission I rebuilt years ago has just passed 200,000 km ( 120,000 miles ) its not an option for everyone, but it is in fact an option. But whatever way you decide to go think about getting the upgrades which Ihatemybike mentioned, especially if you think you want to go another 250,000 miles, my guess is you'll be replacing several other items as well...lol