Date:         Wed, 1 Jul 2009 15:50:25 -0800
Reply-To:     colorworks@GCI.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
Subject:      automatic transmission replacement
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Hi folks:

I'm having a local shop here install a rebuilt transmission with a peloquin torqued biasing differential that Ken from German transaxle did for me. I have a Subaru 2.2 engine, and then the small car transmission cooler. I do know that the bell housing has to be modified to allow for a stud instead of a bolt in one location. The instructions from Vanaru states the hole must be enlarged to 25/64" and then some room needs to be made for the nut. I even went so far as to supply the drill bit to the shop + gave them written instructions. Now they are claiming the 4.4 hrs listed time does not include flushing the oil cooler. I just get the feeling these guys are trying to rip me off. Can any of the more experienced mechanics on the list tell me what they think is a reasonable amount of time to remove and replace the transmission and flush the oil cooler + enlarge one bolt hole? Ken told me he could generally do this in about three hours, and then maybe 30 minutes going really slow to drill out the bolt hole. He seems to think that four hours should cover things. The last quote I got from the shop was 6.5, and I argued with them adamantly about that. At $95 an hour it adds up. They now claim they will do it by the hour, but again I think they are coming up with excuses to raise the price. Any help or comments appreciated. 

Troy