Date:         Fri, 27 May 2005 15:59:21 -0400
Reply-To:     Don in North Carolina <vanagondon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don in North Carolina <vanagondon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: '88 Westy Transmission Repair $2500?
Comments: To: Chris Paquette <cxp36@yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2005052714442766@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On 5/27/05, Chris Paquette <cxp36@yahoo.com> wrote:
> 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"

Chris,

Before I went the rebuild route, I would go with the cheap repair
attempt.  Drain the transaxle, remove the pan, replace the filter and
adjust the second gear brake band, reassemble and refill with Redline
D4 ATF.  While you're down there, drain the final drive and refill
with Redline 75W-90 oil.

The above may be a waste of money - or it may correct your shifting
issues.  It's also something that most home mechanics can easily
handle (or a trans shop can do it easily, also...).

-- 
Don in Reidsville, NC
1986 Kawasaki Concours
1988 Vanagon GL (Sylvia)
"I reject your reality and substitute my own." - Adam Savage