Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001 10:16:24 -0500
Reply-To: Sam Walters <slwalters@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Sam Walters <slwalters@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: transmission
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Brian,
At least five years ago I hopped back into my 84 after leaving it parked
in the park for about an hour and no shifting control - the lever
flopped all over the place - didn't seem to be tied to the H pattern of
the gears. Had to get home - this was before the days of cell phones -
all the family was there together, etc. so I moved it around some more
and discovered that if I worked on muscle memory and caution, I could
find the gears. Got home, then actually drove it carefully for a couple
of days while I considered my options and made phone calls. The actual
shifting and driving after it was in gear was just fine - but the floppy
shift lever was nerve racking and clearly something was amiss.
The two VW dealerships around wanted $1200 to even look at it and then
there would be parts on top of that, maybe additional labor. It seemed
like it had to be something simple yet several other transmission shops
either didn't want to touch it or started off with $750 plus minimum
charges.
Finally, almost out of desperation, I decided to call Aamco and selected
a shop near the airport as I was going out of town for a couple of days.
Called the shop, got the manager and described the problem just like I
had to everyone else. As I thought others would have been able to do,
he gave me a tentative diagnosis and estimated a $275 to $400 repair
job.
Don't remember the part name. (At that point, I was not doing any
repair
work, did not have a Bentley, did not know of the list, etc., but it
seemed like it was a simple part or two.)
Of course, he reserved the right to be wrong and that it could be
something else. So I took it in, left and went to the airport by cab.
Called late that afternoon and he told me about $275. I okayed up to
$350 since I would be unavailable the next day. When I called back
the next day, he said during the work they found another small part that
should be replaced, but that it had been too late to get it that day so
it would take an extra day. I was prepared for a rip off when I heard
this until he told me the price would only go up to $350. Said OK.
Got home from the airport some other way.
Called back the next day - done and ready. Went out to get it, price
slightly less than $325 - time to fix was less than estimated. It has
run like a charm ever since up until very recently when age and miles
(174k) are starting to show. So you never know - why not give them a
try - the estimate is free.
Maybe I got lucky - with many chains, there seems to be substantial
variation from one site to the next.
Good luck,
Sam Walters
'84 Vanagon
'89 Syncro
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