So while back from college for the holidays I ordered a remanufactured tranny from ManTrans(ever heard of 'em?). It was a $1000 even with shipping of my core back to them with a 2 year warranty. They painted it silver for some reason.

My only hesitation was when my mechanic pointed out that the case had been welded shut where it had apparently blown out at some point. I realize that most 95-96 open diff trannys fail in the same place over and over again; in the bell housing at about the 7 oclock position. My surprise came when the store(ManTrans) called me back after they had received my core and complained that it was blown out (duh!) and that they would have to charge me the $500 core on top of the $1000 I already paid.

Well you can expect my reaction. Through a mix of expletives I respectfully declined to pay the extra "fee". So what do you guys think? Am I right? Are they? Why?

To sum it up, I paid $1000 for the tranny, $300 to take out the old one and put in the new one and clean out the clutch and flywheel from all the metal debris, and additional $61.36 for 5 quarts of amsoil gl4.

So is that a good deal for an essentially new tranny? $1361.34

 

No. Sorry but you got ripped off.

 

counda fosome one to rebuld it for you for that price and not have to go through all the bs u went throu but then again i paid 1300 for my rebult so i guess its all good

 

Could've had a brand new one for not that much more. Also, you swapped the trans and left in a clutch that had been exposed to metal debris and possibly gear oil? Bad move.

 

For $1,300 I would of done a VQ35 swap with a used tranny from junk yard. AND still have money to spend!!

 

Woulda had someone rebuild it or rebuild it myself and a new 5th gen clutch: ~$500-$600

New one is welded shut?? BIG turn off. Especially after they called wanting more money from your core. . .

 

First red flag.
Second red flag.
Essentially new?
How about more like trashed then butchered back together tranny.

Honestly, I would have never installed that tranny.
Anytime you get a used part that's been painted, it's a botch job and most likely not even "rebuilt" but rather simply "cleaned up".

 

Did you learn anything from this experience? Is there not a reputable shop within 100 miles of where you live that you could have taken it to?

 

In a word, yea - you got hosed mate. What do you mean the case has a tendancy to fail at the bell housing ~7 o'clock? Never seen a bad bell housing on a 4th gen MT (or AT for that matter). I have seen the case crack around the diff, but not where it mates the engine. Odd.

As for the clutch, yea you where right there. Now to do the clutch, you have to do all the labor - again. Also, any time you get a part and it's been welded on, maybe look for another part! Lot's of places will paint the trans to make is look good, you should never accept one that has been painted due to the fact that they are likely covering up something, like welded spots or cracks. If it were me, I'd not pay them any more money for certain, and I'd be looking into any sort of laws that might help you get some of your money back. You got taken - plain and simple. Sorry bout it ... but learn from it.

 

To most people, if it's pretty and clean it must be good. I've never painted a transmission that I've rebuilt.

Welding causes distortion. That part of the trans case is right between the diff and mainshaft bearings, which means it sets the alignment of the final gear. The final gear mesh IME is the most aggressively worn gear in the transmission. If there is one gear mesh that cannot tolerate misalignment due to case distortion, it's this one.

Oh, and in case it's not obvious, I would never weld or accept a welded transmission housing. Ever.

Was this the transmission you sent to ManTrans, or the one they sent you?

In the dozen or two maxima transmissions I've rebuilt, I've seen that once. It was caused by the spider gear shaft cracking in the differential, then sliding out of the diff and punching a hole through the transmission case. The vast majority I see have damage caused originally by worn out diff bearings.

This might be reasonable. If the core is deemed to not be rebuildable without using extra parts, it will cost them more money to make it into a decent transmission.

You're in a tough position to negotiate that one. You can't prove it's a rebuildable core, so you'll have to live with that.

If I were running a rebuild shop like that, I might try to make good money by teasing in customers with a flat price, but in the fine print you say "in case the customer core is not in rebuildable condition, a core fee of $XXX will be required". Then you nail EVERYBODY with that core fee and they can do little to stop you.

The labor rate is very good. A total of $1500 for a trans rebuild is pretty salty, but not uncommon for a shop that doesn't work with lots of maximas.

Dave

 

Dave

Good post. I agree with you on the 'disclaimer' of "if the customer trans is not rebuildable ....." There are a lot of places that are questionable in their practices and this might just be one of them. There always seems to be 'fine print' someplace.

 

its not such a bad deal if the tranny is ok considering that manual trannys are not only rare but expensive.

 

They're not that rare, and not that expensive either.

Also, he could've gotten a brand new trans from Nissan for not much more than he paid.

Just trying to get to your 15, hmm?

 

right around 2 grand new from nissan right?and damn did i ever have a hard time finding a 5mt a couple months ago...

 

Yep, right around 2 grand for both the 5MT and 6MT.

They pop up all the time up in MD, the pick and pull in my area got a 5 speed fourth gen at least a couple times a month. Trans only costs $80. Got mine for $350 along with a bunch of other parts (parts car), buying another one when I get back to MD for ~$100 (needs rebuild).

 

You've got to understand not everybody got money like you do. Tell me where you would find a 5 speed tranny with good miles for less than $1000 and ill come get it. I’ve done my research Mr "know it all". Here in NC the cheapest I got was $500 with 400000k on it. Please tell me this aint the type of cheap sh@#t you talkin bout. And I already got my 15, had a couple threads. But you look like you've got so much damn time on your hands man. 9,251 Posts? WTF? wat you work for the org now? Or you just the org bully! b/c you comment after every damn comment I make.

 

For possible future reference, where are you finding these good priced rebuild kits?

 

Alright call me a Newbie, but just b/c they pick on you back in high school doesn't mean you should take out your frustration on the org. C'mon now! get over it man. lol

 

Ohhhhhhh snap you dropped out? i see why! don't take it personal am just a "Newbie"

 

it aint about that you reply, its just that you seem to make fun, or a fool out of someone even, when they trying to be serious. i was just making a comment through my experience with a 5 speed, b/c i just had mine rebuilt. I really wasn't trying to get my 15. this aint a competition for me am just here to learn. yeah transmissions might vary depending where you come from but that doesn't mean coz u get it for cheap you should rub it on our face man!

 

I'm done arguing, Danny. No real point to it, you're just being annoying now.

 

OK then enough with the urging and am sorry if i offended/annoyed you. so where can i get the $80 tranny?

 

Go to Maryland, pick it up from the junkyard.

http://www.crazyraysautoparts.com/

 

thanks.