OT Transmission Repair/Replacement Experiences

[MSUDOG24]

I've been fortunate over many, many years of never having a major problem with my cars ... until now. A couple of questions
- anyone dealt with Quality Transmission in Tupelo? That's my leaning at this point.
- I got 2 estimates in Starkville for a full factory replacement, both exactly 9100. Ouch indeed but thought, I guess that's what it costs. Called a couple of places in Tupelo and both were in the 6000 range. Googled the "should cost" and KBB says 8100 on the high end for a dealer and 5500-6000 for local. Both Starkville shops are highly rated and the first I took it to I've had personal experience with and would rate them "5 stars". All 4 estimates are "factory sourced full replacements". Obviously prefer to stay local with my trusted guys but damn, 3000 is worth the hassle of a 70 mile run. Any guesses how that can be and/or am I missing something?

 

[patdog]

Yikes! Related question , what’s anyone who knows thoughts on drain & fill or flush transmission fluid? Many transmissions these days claim the fluid is lifetime fluid. I can see how s flush might actually harm a transmission, but seems a drain & fill couldn’t hurt (even though you don’t replace all of the old fluid).

 

[Motodawg]

I've been fortunate over many, many years of never having a major problem with my cars ... until now. A couple of questions
- anyone dealt with Quality Transmission in Tupelo? That's my leaning at this point.
- I got 2 estimates in Starkville for a full factory replacement, both exactly 9100. Ouch indeed but thought, I guess that's what it costs. Called a couple of places in Tupelo and both were in the 6000 range. Googled the "should cost" and KBB says 8100 on the high end for a dealer and 5500-6000 for local. Both Starkville shops are highly rated and the first I took it to I've had personal experience with and would rate them "5 stars". All 4 estimates are "factory sourced full replacements". Obviously prefer to stay local with my trusted guys but damn, 3000 is worth the hassle of a 70 mile run. Any guesses how that can be and/or am I missing something?

If it’s not from the factory, it’s not a good transmission. Rebuilds are just you buying the miles on the warranty. I hate that it’s like that but it is.

Yikes! Related question , what’s anyone who knows thoughts on drain & fill or flush transmission fluid? Many transmissions these days claim the fluid is lifetime fluid. I can see how s flush might actually harm a transmission, but seems a drain & fill couldn’t hurt (even though you don’t replace all of the old fluid).

always, always, always follow factory recommendations.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Yikes! Related question , what’s anyone who knows thoughts on drain & fill or flush transmission fluid? Many transmissions these days claim the fluid is lifetime fluid. I can see how s flush might actually harm a transmission, but seems a drain & fill couldn’t hurt (even though you don’t replace all of the old fluid).

Just whatever the guidelines are. My Duramax says do a complete fluid change every 50,000

 

[TaleofTwoDogs]

I used a national transmission chain a few years back for a transmission replacement and they screwed up the transmission big time plus it was in their shop for two weeks. Obviously, you don't want poor workmanship on a vital part such as a transmission so choose carefully. I assume you live in Vegas, if that's the case, remember that if you need warranty work you will have to drive to Tupelo for the work. Just seems to me to be big logistic headache to take the repair out of town even for a large savings. Depending on the make of your vehicle, I would try to negotiate with a dealership for a better price and avoid the angst of the transmission failing at the wrong time.

 

[champdawg.sixpack]

Do yourself a favor and use Billy Franklin at performance automotive in Starkville. On 182 by golf course

 

[HotMop]

I had a transmission rebuilt once, it lasted all the way to the dealership for a trade in when I suspected it was failing again in 1 year. Do yourself a favor and get a new car. Trade it in and let some other poor sap buy it.

 

[ababyatemydingo]

Buddy of mine just got one done last week in a Chevy 1/2 ton pickup. Brand new transmission (not rebuilt), 3 years 36,000 warranty. $6000. Took it in Wednesday and they had it ready Friday

 

[OopsICroomedmypants]

I've been fortunate over many, many years of never having a major problem with my cars ... until now. A couple of questions
- anyone dealt with Quality Transmission in Tupelo? That's my leaning at this point.
- I got 2 estimates in Starkville for a full factory replacement, both exactly 9100. Ouch indeed but thought, I guess that's what it costs. Called a couple of places in Tupelo and both were in the 6000 range. Googled the "should cost" and KBB says 8100 on the high end for a dealer and 5500-6000 for local. Both Starkville shops are highly rated and the first I took it to I've had personal experience with and would rate them "5 stars". All 4 estimates are "factory sourced full replacements". Obviously prefer to stay local with my trusted guys but damn, 3000 is worth the hassle of a 70 mile run. Any guesses how that can be and/or am I missing something?

I’ve had great experience with Fowler’s transmission in Faulkner outside of Corinth. They do all the local car dealerships transmission work or at least used to. They rebuilt my 2014 Chevy z71 transmission over $200,000 miles ago and it’s still like new. My condenser dropped all the trans fluid on the highway and fried my whole transmission (good times). I’ll never use anyone else. You should get a warranty as well. I don’t know about today’s rates, but that sounds high.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Buddy of mine just got one done last week in a Chevy 1/2 ton pickup. Brand new transmission (not rebuilt), 3 years 36,000 warranty. $6000. Took it in Wednesday and they had it ready Friday

If you’re doing a complete new one it goes pretty fast especially if you have a lift!

 

[Howiefeltersnstch]

Yikes! Related question , what’s anyone who knows thoughts on drain & fill or flush transmission fluid? Many transmissions these days claim the fluid is lifetime fluid. I can see how s flush might actually harm a transmission, but seems a drain & fill couldn’t hurt (even though you don’t replace all of the old fluid).

Transmission flushes are good but must be done regularly starting maybe around 100k or less. Dont flush a high mileage vehicle. You will have issues

 

[Shmuley]

I wish a Ford and a Chevy would still last 10 years … like they should.

 

[Colonel Angus.sixpack]

Just get a new vehicle. 9k for a repair in unconscionable for a used vehicle. How much is the book value of the vehicle? If the repair is over 10% of its value, and I suspect that it is, it’s time to start shopping.

 

[ababyatemydingo]

Just get a new vehicle. 9k for a repair in unconscionable for a used vehicle. How much is the book value of the vehicle? If the repair is over 10% of its value, and I suspect that it is, it’s time to start shopping.

There are other factors to consider. Like how good a shape is the rest of the vehicle in? If the vehicle was well taken care of, and someone doesn't want to spend what they ask for new vehicles now, it would be worth it to fix

 

[Willow Grove Dawg]

I wish a Ford and a Chevy would still last 10 years … like they should.

Back before Nixon lied to us all on TV

 

[aTotal360]

 

[Dawgbite]

Just get a new vehicle. 9k for a repair in unconscionable for a used vehicle. How much is the book value of the vehicle? If the repair is over 10% of its value, and I suspect that it is, it’s time to start shopping.

10%? Heck I had a sensor replaced in the wife’s car a while back and just that simple little part was over 10% of its value. Couldn’t sell it or trade it with the MIL light on.

 

[The Cooterpoot]

What kind of car/truck is it?

 

[thatsbaseball]

My 2015 F150 developed a transmission (6R80 six speed) "shudder" when it got warmed up . A little research indicated it was a very common Ford problem at 80-100K miles. Repair was drain, replace filter the refill with Ford fluid and an additive. I spent $530 and so far it runs like a new one.

 

[MSUDOG24]

Do yourself a favor and use Billy Franklin at performance automotive in Starkville. On 182 by golf course

Was my first stop and my "5 star" guys but I can't understand why Starkville is such an outlier vs Tupelo and national average.

 

[MSUDOG24]

What kind of car/truck is it?

QX80

 

[patdog]

I used a national transmission chain a few years back for a transmission replacement and they screwed up the transmission big time plus it was in their shop for two weeks. Obviously, you don't want poor workmanship on a vital part such as a transmission so choose carefully. I assume you live in Vegas, if that's the case, remember that if you need warranty work you will have to drive to Tupelo for the work. Just seems to me to be big logistic headache to take the repair out of town even for a large savings. Depending on the make of your vehicle, I would try to negotiate with a dealership for a better price and avoid the angst of the transmission failing at the wrong time.

My experience with a national tire/repair chain in Jackson. Had my car serviced at the Mazda dealership. They're a bit expensive but do good work and are honest. It was time for new tires. Didn't want the OEM tires, so my brother found me a great deal on some really good General tires on Tire Rack. Their default installer was the national chain. I figured heck I'll just use them. It'll be easier and they're an easy walk from work. First they recommended all kind of additional services that I "needed" like transmission flush and replace coolant (I didn't need these things and the dealership had just inspected the car a week before). Then when I got the car back, the tires weren't balanced right. Took it back to them, they recommended yet another unnecessary repair and still didn't get the tires balanced right. Ultimately, I took it to the Mazda dealership and paid them to balance the tires. Next time I get tires, I'm just getting them shipped to the dealership.

 

[40 acres and a mule]

Yikes! Related question , what’s anyone who knows thoughts on drain & fill or flush transmission fluid? Many transmissions these days claim the fluid is lifetime fluid. I can see how s flush might actually harm a transmission, but seems a drain & fill couldn’t hurt (even though you don’t replace all of the old fluid).

First, I am no transmission expert. If you are talking about using the machine that pushes the fluid out one tube as it is being replaced by another, all the car guys I know say don't do it. I guess this would be a "flush". They say it just stirs up debris in the trans and causes problems. They said just drop the pan every 100,000, clean the pan, new filter if it takes one, and replace what fluid is needed to top it off. I am now at 270,000 miles with no issues. I have since noticed a lot of those machines sitting over in the corner idle at dealerships and oil change outlets.