Used vs. Rebuilt Tranny, Pitfalls?? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ThosDoran · #31 12-01-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

The grief does have a dollar figure for most folks. If you don't have the mental attitude to deal with seized bolts, inevitable difficulties with questions, wrong parts, etc., then doing this work is not for you.

With a pessimistic attitude, the task is insurmountable.

Don't get me wrong. I've come a long way since July when I bought this car. I love knowing how and why this car goes. Having a hand in it's resurrection has been immensely satisfying. I just feel like I'm in over my head here.

Sbean · #32 12-01-2006, 02:37 PM

I got an e-mail from a member requesting Sun Valley contact info; my reply e-mails aren't getting through, so here it is:

Sun Valley Mercedes Benz Dismantlers
818 768 0704 svmbz@aol.com
Steve

Hit Man X · #33 12-01-2006, 02:39 PM

Rebuilt it yourself if you have the ability to do so. $2400 is MORE than enough to even have one shipped in to you... You're talking MAYBE $400 in parts to DIY. As stated, it's not a single day project.

Put that other $1k into your IRA for the year. Or use it for the suspension on the car. Book hour is 14 hr for front, 9 hr for rear I recall... if you wanted to pay someone.

rrgrassi · #34 12-01-2006, 02:46 PM

Rebuilt is usually better than used, and has a better warranty.

I have not heard any bad things about Sun Valley, and from what I have read about them, they will be my first choice when my tranny lets go. My car has a rebuilt one in it. I do not know who rebuilt it, but it had 30k miles on it when I bought my car. I just added 10k to it. It is past time to do a fluid and filter change on it. That is next on my list.

Based on how much easier my 300D is to work on compared to other vehicles, I kick my self for not getting one sooner!

Hit Man X · #35 12-01-2006, 02:54 PM

Reman is better than rebuilt... better than used.

Used is pretty silly unless you can confirm the mileage on the unit.

Problem is most local trans shops don't know how to rebuild foreign units easily, despite them being VERY simple. There is just not much to the 722.3 I had Cottman do the A341 in my Mother's LS400 and it seems to be doing fine still as it was maybe 3-4 years back. Probably has 50-80k on it by now, not sure. I just service it every 10k with a pan drain of two quarts (the filter is only a 100 micron screen)

I still can't figure out why people get hooked for a reman torque converter either on the MB units. There's no lockup clutch within. I could see if you have excessive spline wear maybe...

tobybul · #36 12-01-2006, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThosDoran

hey all,

some of you may know, Regenbogen, my 240D suffered some abuse in the hands of a local tow co. that resulted in a deep fried transmission.

Insurance came through, valued the car at $3500 and cut a check to cover the cost of a rebuilt tranny + labor. Dodged a bullet there; at first they had totalled it but perserverance pays off. I've now got $2400 to work with.

The car is waiting now, either for a used transmission to go in or for a SunValley rebuild to ship out. The used tranny would come from my mechanic's shop and he would take all liability for defects. Any problems with the rebuilt tranny itself would rest on me, but comes with a 2 year warranty.

Which would you go with? What's your logic? Pros and Cons for each?

t

I have meaning to ask this question... what does "totaled" mean in a case like this? Why would an insurance company dictate totalling a vehicle when the owner wants to repair the car? I just need some education....

JEREMYC · #37 12-01-2006, 03:22 PM

Totaled is when the cost to repair the car is more than a certain percentage based on the cars value. Last I checked, it was about 60%. Once totalled, the cars go to auction and salvage yards or rebuilders then have the chance to buy it. Sometimes, the insurance company will allow the owner to buy the car back at a certain premium.

riethoven · #38 12-01-2006, 03:30 PM

Sorry you are across the Sound. I would give you a hand for a couple of hours. Changing out a tranny is a tough task without a lift. I have done it more than once. Having a couple pairs of hands makes a big difference. You would have to get the car high enough in the air to clear the tranny and the tranny jack. I would also recommend degreasing everything first because if it has had any leaks the tranny and the tranny well will be covered in oil and grime.

There is no doubt in my mind that I would go for the Sun Valley tranny and put it in myself. However, I have rebuilt engines and trannys in the past so I am up for it with at least shadtree experience and a very good selection of tools. Just remember that even though it is a dirty heavy job to do, it is not rocket science. Nothing against mechanics, but with the FSM and someone with a bit of automotive mechanical knowledge and it can be done.

I was always afraid of auto trannys until I came to this site and read about people rebuilding their own trannys with success. I am trying to buy a 190D turbo right now with a bad tranny and if I get it, I plan on rebuilding the tranny myself.

Also know that you will always take more care in your work on your car than anyone else.

Good luck.

barry123400 · #39 12-01-2006, 03:39 PM

I must be missing something here. Four to eight hours to change out an automatic in an old mercedes 240d? Talk to a reputable transmission only shop about a time and charge to pull and install one. Ask around. Of course he wants to get his normal source to rebuild it as well as he gets a large cut of your quoted cost. He might even get a smaller cut if he orders it as a functioning auto repair business from sun over your price. Thats why one poster stated about 1100.00 from sun I think. Email that poster and ask. You might try that angle to work the price down. Tell them what you want done exactly. Get a price. I know my own time and am not a mechanic. Forget 680.00 for a change or at least discuss it with him prior to the job. At those prices he will gaurantee his future labour of course as you have prepaid for it anyways in my opinion. Perhaps for several changes even. If the old transmission was changing well once the new one is in the vacuum circuits should not have to be reworked etc. Use a quality known box like the sun unit of course. I suspect a competent transmission guy at 30 minutes out and about 30 minutes back in. Check. It probably might consume about two hours for me to do this on one of my own cars as I do not do autoimatic changes very often. Plus am older and slower now. Try not to be a victim. Basically you owe this guy nothing as I see no attempt at fairness from him up to this point. If you still feel obligated negotiate with knowledge including his cost from sun versus yours and a fair time charge for the change. That way if a warranty change is required sun might go good for it as well. A few phone calls should get things sorted out. Do not attempt to prepay labour you may not need. Keep some of the insurance money for the bull you are subject to along the path of life. Think how lucky your mechanic is that he is not dealing with me.

I was just getting warmed up.