I (a woman) know really nothing about automotive machanics. My transmission on my 2000 dodge durango is gone and i need to either replace or repair it. I want to replace it. I know im looking to spend about $2,000 and i want to hold on to as much money as i can. Is it cheaper for me to find the park myself and then have someone put it in? Whats the cheapest way for me to do this?
2007-02-08 09:45:33 · 16 answers · asked by Maria 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I suggest you take your Durango to a reputable shop (ask your friends and check the BBB for ratings) and let them rebuild it. For the rebuild they take out the worn parts and install the new ones. If they did a good job your tranny will be like new when they are done and it will last just as long as a replacement tranny. Including labor I don't think they'll charge more than $1,000....although I could be wrong about that.
2007-02-08 10:05:41 · answer #1 · answered by ModelFlyerChick 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are thinking to purchase the transmission yourself and pay a repair shop to install it, you will probably have a hard time finding a shop to do this unless you are on really good terms with someone in the shop. Repair shops offer warranties on the work and in most cases require that they are the ones who purchase the parts (either new or from a salvage yard they normally deal with who offers them a guarantee on the part).
If you intend to purchase and find a "backyard mechanic", make sure they have done a similar project before. Maneuvering a couple hundred pounds of transmission while lying on your back is not an easy tasks (been there, done that).
Are you planning to buy a transmission from a junkyard or a rebuilt from some supplier? If you are thinking to get from the junkyard, I would offer that the quality of the transmission will be unknown to you (might be in great shape or the driver could have really worked it hard). You may be better off having yours rebuilt and taking the warranty from the shop. I had the transmission in my 1993 Ford Aerostar van rebuilt and it ran me about $1700 total. The transmission actually out lasted the van and we transferred it to my parents Aerostar (they both were purchased from a bus company and were identical other than mileage).
2007-02-08 10:11:09 · answer #2 · answered by Jim Maryland 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are a bunch of ideas.
An auto transmission is not my first choice of project for a DIY. Usually, it ranks up there in the 7-8 on a scale of 1-10. ( Washing the car = 1, rebuilding the engine = 10.)
A quality rebuilt transmission would be your most economical choice if you plan to keep the car for several more years. If you want to sell it, get a used trans from an auto parts wrecker yard.
The most expensive approach is to have a Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep dealer replace it. So get a quote from their service shop for parts and labor as a reference. And ask their parts counter how much for a factory-rebuilt transmission, if bought over-the-counter. Be sure to net out the cost of a core trade-in for your used transmission.
Now, find a reputable transmission repair shop. Ask around: friends & co-workers, your auto insurance agent, the auto mechanics instructor at your local community college. Check with the AAA website for your state - they have a list of repair shops which they inspect and approve, & who provide written warranties. (Forget the BBB - in my opinion, they are not too useful.) Your state might have a bureau of automotive repair that regulates car repair shops, so check the names for satisfactory records.
Visit some shops and look for a very clean & organized work area. Transmissions have very tight clearances, so I would want a very clean shop to work on my transmission. Look for industry certification for the technicians - ASE is common, and ask questions. How many years in business? How many Chrysler vehicles have they repaired? Do they subscribe to a technical document servcie company such as Alldata? If you don't feel comfortable with the owner/manager, find another shop.
Finally, check out www.allpar.com for lots of information about Chrysler vehicles. Register with their forum and ask questions.
Good luck.
2007-02-08 10:37:49 · answer #3 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you dont have someone to do the work.. I would not suggest it.. but if you can find someone that will do the work in a reasonable amount of time.. then it maybe worth looking into....
if you use a "shadetree" I would make sure you and He understand the terms of your agreement.
which should be something along the lines of
the work will be completed with in a certain amount of time..
it will cost whatever you agree to
what if any.. warranty he/she offers
and i would see about putting it in writting...
as far as you doing the work..
no, on most cars you have to pull the engine or at least part of it.. and it requires to you alittle about auto repair...
best suggestion... find a mom and pop shop or one of those chain transmission repair places
dont be afaird to get more than 1 est. and talk to alot of people..
you might be able to get it rebuilt for $2k...
2007-02-08 10:36:24 · answer #4 · answered by Larry M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a job for a transmission specialist. You cannot do it on your own. You need special tools. The tranny probably weighs about 400 pounds so jockeying it around is not easy.
Aamco Transmission has repair shops around the US. Figure labor and materials for a rebuilt transmission at about $3,800.
2007-02-08 09:51:42 · answer #5 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely no - I'm a do it yourself mechanic and I taught myself how to change oil, change transmission fluid, and general car care. I recently even changed my own spark plugs!
I couldn't even dream of replacing a transmission on my own - you'll need a ton of knowledge and a ton of special tools to put that in place.
Find a small mechanic - get to know him/her and have them do it. Much cheaper/better than a dealership.
2007-02-08 09:55:46 · answer #6 · answered by Paul 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you get a 3 year warranty on a new remanufactured transmission and my advice is to stay away from transmission rebuilds. A rebuild is not a new remanufactured transmission.
http://www.jasperengines.com
2007-02-08 10:34:24 · answer #7 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I (as a man) know next to nothing about it, but I do know you CAN do it. But, if you have a friend that can do it for you, offer to pay for parts and a good meal for labour.
If you don't know anyone that can do it for you, find a garage that doesn't charge "by the book," or you'll end-up paying for work not done, supplies not used, and for shop rags.
2007-02-08 09:57:24 · answer #8 · answered by jcurrieii 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't even attempt it. Todays transmissions are harder than ever to remove, fix, and install. They can also be hard to align without the proper tools. They are expensive I know, but that is not something you should attempt on your own.
2007-02-08 09:54:14 · answer #9 · answered by swcasper2001 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you dont know what you are doing and probably dont have the right tools - save yourself a headache and have someone do it. you probably could save quite a bit of money and track down a tranny yourself. check out car-part.com - its a database of a bunch of salvage yards and it lets you search by part. find one with low miles - or you could spend a little bit more and pick a rebuilt one.
2007-02-08 09:54:31 · answer #10 · answered by noah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋