Average cost of trans rebuild?

Posted By: SattyNoCar

Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/23/15 05:06 AM

Seeing quite a few late - mid '90's trucks with 'bad' automatic transmissions (regardless of miles)

What are common issue(s) with these transmissions?

What's an average price to rebuild one of them?

While appreciated, no, I don't have the time or tools to do it myself. I can remove the trans if need be to save on R&R costs, but, that would be about it.

Just curious what the collective here says before I start calling around locally.

Thanks.

Posted By: wedgeheaded

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/23/15 05:24 AM

My truck is newer. It's an 06, QC 4x4, 4.7/auto. At around 150k I had to have it rebuilt. It cost right at $2000. It now has over 176k and it was a good investment. The older style transmissions weren't as expensive to rebuild and a 4x2 would be less yet.

Posted By: Grizzly

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/23/15 06:53 AM

Just went through this on my '01 four-wheel drive. Long story, it's on here, search my posts if you want to see what happened.

Re-build:

I was quoted $3100.00 to drive it down there (if it would make it) leave it for 3 days and come back and get it. So, that was all labor, taxes, re-build of my trans (not someone elses'), torque converter, oil, filter, and a new transmission cooler. This is a highly recommended shop.

I figured it was half reasonable but I have ZERO faith in re-built transmissions. Everyone seems to have a horror story to tell of how after spending all that dough, the thing piled up 6 months later and it was a waste of money. Their warranty was only 3 months, 5000 miles.

So, I used car-part.com and found the lowest mileage 46re I could find ($800) and swapped it in myself. I've never done one, but away I went. I used the FSM and help from You Guys here on Moparts. I took my time, made a few mistakes, but it's in there and I have 1500 miles on it. It works and the wreckers gave a 3 month unlimited mileage warranty.

It wasn't easy, but I would still do it the same way. As a matter of fact, if a new 46re was available from Chrysler, I would have paid for it and still avoided a re-build.

The number one trouble-maker on these transmissions is the throttle position sensor. It has a hand in controlling the torque convertor lock-up and can give a false impression the trans is slipping. Next up is the brake-switch (again, lock-up related), a sticking cruise-control cable will mess with the lock-up, then the solonoid pack, then the check-ball in the cooler line and after that the mechanical bits: Mine was the torque converter failed.

So, unless you like punishment or don't mind laying awake at night trying to figure out what controls what and what it has to do with the computer............get a 5 speed.

I'm not a Mechanic, I can help you a bit if you get one, but I don't have all the answers.

Posted By: SattyNoCar

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/23/15 07:07 AM

Thanks for the replies!

Stick is out. Houston traffic and bum knee is not good combo for a stick.

Posted By: GibW340

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/23/15 01:46 PM

Remanufactured trans in 2000 Ram Van 2500 just cost me $2800- has a 50K warranty- probably front pump went out- wouldn't move- like super high stall converter- only has 61000 miles

Posted By: WO23Coronet

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/23/15 07:21 PM

Depending what the problem is they can be fixed rather cheaply:

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...e=1#Post6860892

It worked for me and the tranny worked great afterwards. I took the risk of fixing it because the fluid wasn't burnt and it worked fine otherwise, so depending what the problem is it might be worth breaking out the tools

Posted By: 71yelladustr

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/23/15 09:08 PM

$3100 to rebuild a gas 46RE???

Id be shopping around if I were you. Should be able to get that done for about half that price. The most expensive one I ever have done was around $1800. That was with some major carnage inside. If all of your hard parts and pump are ok then it should be a lot less.

Common problems are bad torque converter lockup clutch. This usually leads to other problems if not addressed quickly. The debris from the TC clutch can do a lot of damage. The scenario usually goes like this... First it will cause the governor pressure solenoid to hang up and the trans will not shift correctly or take off from a stop in the wrong gear. This causes even more debris to contaminate the fluid. Then it will slowly start to plug the transmission cooler and sump filter. The check ball in the cooler line will also start to stick at this point. Once all of these things start happening the cooler flow will be not enough to provide proper fluid temp control and most importantly proper lubrication to the intermediate shaft. with not enough return fluid from the cooler the shaft will seize in the OD piston retainer/intermediate shaft support. At this point its game over. The trans is done. Bottom line is if you start having trans problems find out what is the cause and fix them immediately. Keep driving them and they will self destruct.

Posted By: Grizzly

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/23/15 10:07 PM

'71, yeah, I think you mentioned that in my thread.

Retail, how many hours does it take you to do the actual transmission re-build and how much for the parts?

Posted By: volaredon

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/23/15 10:27 PM

Quote:

'71, yeah, I think you mentioned that in my thread.

Retail, how many hours does it take you to do the actual transmission re-build and how much for the parts?

actual rebuild can be done in an afternoon, if no "hard part" damage a kit is $200 or less, T/C can be had for around $100-ish. I have done a couple of them. but I will only rebuild my own not someone else's.

Posted By: SattyNoCar

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/24/15 04:10 AM

Quote:

Depending what the problem is they can be fixed rather cheaply:

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...e=1#Post6860892

It worked for me and the tranny worked great afterwards. I took the risk of fixing it because the fluid wasn't burnt and it worked fine otherwise, so depending what the problem is it might be worth breaking out the tools

I'm going to bookmark this link and save it 'just in case' as I just bought a '93 Dakota.

Thanks for the replies!

Posted By: HotRodDave

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/25/15 12:05 AM

Just did a 47RE for a customer $2100 total in a 4x4 01 ram. That includes basic upgrades like eliminating wavy snap rings and a low stall converter. Another shop tore it out and tore it down for him for $500 and wanted an aditional $4500 to put it back together. The only problem he had brought it in for was a leak and the only bad part I found was the front pump bushing and converter snout was going away.

An honest 1/2 of the guys coming in here looking for a re-build I can and do put them back on the road with band adjustments/fluid filter changes or sensor/solonoid replacement.

The big problem with rebuilder shops if the vast difference in auto trannys these days, they try to re-build every trans that comes through the door instead of trying to lear the intricacies of them all and what makes them tick, it is not possible for one guy to know how to do them all. They are not like an engine in that they all have pistons, rings bearings, cranks and valves, different variations of the same things. There are waaaaaaaay more variations of stuff going on in trannys. Special tools out the wazoo, some use planataries some don't and clutch clearance from one is totally different in another, some trannys like a 700R4 change stuff every year. If you are going to get a re-build find some one who specializes in the one you need. I won't even atempt a re-build on anything but a RWD 3 or 4 speed mopar. I only have 2 combacks in the last 5 years, one was my directly my fault the other was because I had been atempting to train my dad to do them and he left some bolts loose on the govenor and I failed to double check it.

Don't be afraid of JY units either if it is a reputable yard they give a 30-180 warranty and most of the JY trans failures I have seen ocurre in that time frame.

Posted By: rhad

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/25/15 06:13 AM

the 93 v6 dak will have a A500 trans,basically a hyd shifted 904 with a od unit on the tailshaft,i redid mine,$300 kit with bands and a converter,use +4 fluid!

Posted By: HotRodDave

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/26/15 08:12 PM

I build tons of these trannys and always use Type F. More friction for the clutches and bands to hold more firmly. The +4 was made for soft feeling shifts not trans longevity

Posted By: Grizzly

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/26/15 09:35 PM

Well, after doing mine, I have to say you Guys are set-up and know all the tricks to make it go smoothly.

I have 6 hours of beating on the crossmember to get it out and then back in.

After trying everything with sockets and wrenches I wound up having to torch the exhaust out so there was another 3 hours.

Struggling every which way to Sunday with jacks and blocks on just getting the trans/lines/electrical/shafts/ out was probably another 5 hours.

At least 3 hours on the phone, reading the service manual, on the computer sourcing a low-mile replacement, having to go pick it up, etc.

Another 3 hours cleaning parts, purging my cooler lines, building and welding on a drain plug.

And then , put it all back together.

Hell, this turned into a month long project picking away at it in my spare time. Four-wheel drive too, I might add. Good thing I could walk away from it several times, because I would have wound up burning it to the ground.

Of course, the shop I mentioned above knows what they are doing, but I still don't think they were that far out of line in price.

If I spent 30 hours on it well that's $3000.00 at $100 an hour. They asked for three days so I'm sure that would be 20 hours to in, out, re-build and test.

I mean, did I do something wrong? Is it just supposed to fall out of there and go back in in an afternoon?

Side question: do the torque converter bolts need to be loc-tited?

Posted By: John_Kunkel

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/27/15 08:33 PM

Quote:

The +4 was made for soft feeling shifts not trans longevity

Not so, +4 has superior lubricating properties, especially when compared to Type F. Transmissions with OD planetaries that run the majority of the time need the best lube available unlike the 3-speeds where the planetaries are only used in the lower two gears.

When comparing prices you have to realize that a lot of shops base their estimates on the worst case scenario. Only way to beat that is to ask for labor "plus parts" estimate and many shops are reluctant to do that.

Posted By: HotRodDave

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/28/15 01:05 AM

Alldata says 7 hrs to R&R, we have done so many here it takes maybe 5 hrs. I put a jack and 4x4 block between the frame and spread it so the cross member comes out easier and I have lifts and a nice trans jack. About 16HRs total to rebuild and R&R depednding on skid plate add ons and such. If I am rebuilding a customers trans it takes a couple days. I give a basic re-build estimate with clutches seals... and tell them if there is hard part damage it is extra depending on the part. I prefer to build one from my cores first so we can swap it in a day and the truck is not tore down holding up a lift for a 2-3 days, if the customer lets me do it this way there is no hard part charges. I usually keep 20 or so cores around so I always have what I need, I buy them off CL or local yards when they let me have em cheap. Just one of my many tricks for keeping costs to the customer low.

John is right about the fluid, it does also protect the bearings and gears, however in my experiance there is waaaay more clutch/band burning problems so I lean toward protecting them.

Posted By: Grizzly

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/28/15 05:07 AM

Do I need to Loc-tite the TC bolts, or can I leave them as is?

Posted By: Apollo 13

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/29/15 07:52 AM

Quote:

Well, after doing mine, I have to say you Guys are set-up and know all the tricks to make it go smoothly.

I have 6 hours of beating on the crossmember to get it out and then back in.

After trying everything with sockets and wrenches I wound up having to torch the exhaust out so there was another 3 hours.

Struggling every which way to Sunday with jacks and blocks on just getting the trans/lines/electrical/shafts/ out was probably another 5 hours.

At least 3 hours on the phone, reading the service manual, on the computer sourcing a low-mile replacement, having to go pick it up, etc.

Another 3 hours cleaning parts, purging my cooler lines, building and welding on a drain plug.

And then , put it all back together.

Hell, this turned into a month long project picking away at it in my spare time. Four-wheel drive too, I might add. Good thing I could walk away from it several times, because I would have wound up burning it to the ground.

Of course, the shop I mentioned above knows what they are doing, but I still don't think they were that far out of line in price.

If I spent 30 hours on it well that's $3000.00 at $100 an hour. They asked for three days so I'm sure that would be 20 hours to in, out, re-build and test.

I mean, did I do something wrong? Is it just supposed to fall out of there and go back in in an afternoon?

Side question: do the torque converter bolts need to be loc-tited?

This is why I paid the $1500 for my 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission to be removed/rebuilt/replaced. Three Days and none of thee above. I can do a lot, but in this "for instance" it was well worth it.

Posted By: Robbins

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/29/15 04:54 PM

Way to mucking futch!

Posted By: Grizzly

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/29/15 06:05 PM

Quote:

Do I need to Loc-tite the TC bolts, or can I leave them as is?

This is what your $1500.00 re-builder gets you:

Asked this question twice already and can't even get a simple "yes or "no" out of these so-called transmission experts. Should that not tell you how well they do their job?

Posted By: WO23Coronet

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/29/15 07:18 PM

I don't know for sure, but I'd locktite them, makes sense to me. I'd use the removable stuff (green I think) as the permanent (red) needs heat to remove

Posted By: Grizzly

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/29/15 08:09 PM

Thank-you!

That was a good read that you linked here, I book-marked it.

P.S. That would be the day I would let some Butcher pry my frame rails 3" apart to get that crossmember in. Isn't there a cab mounted to that frame you're prying on? I found a better way to do it.

And, says to use Type F fluid when it is VERY clearly stated by Chrysler what to use: ATF +4 only, NO exceptions or damage will result.

Posted By: HotRodDave

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/29/15 09:12 PM

I guess any modifications to anything can only be bad, no way to do it better than the factory ever

727s were awesome and lasted very well behind 440s and now basically the same trans with an OD added is pure junk behind a 318. What really changed? They tried to make them shift soft with calibrations and slippery fluid.

Just FYI I get less comebacks doing it my hack ways than mopars way.

Posted By: Grizzly

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/29/15 10:01 PM

I've seen enough.

By the corrections that have been made to your responses and "I'm better than the Factory" attitude I wouldn't let you near my Dodges with a 100 foot pole.

Posted By: Fat_Mike

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/29/15 10:27 PM

I had mine rebuilt a couple years ago out of my 2001 Ram 1500 4X4. Cost me $2499.00 out the door with a 3 year/50,000 mile warranty and they removed/replaced it. As for fluid, it has ATF+4. However, if the company that was going to warranty the work said to put Type F in it, that's what I'd run.

Posted By: HotRodDave

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/30/15 07:00 PM

Quote:

I've seen enough.

By the corrections that have been made to your responses and "I'm better than the Factory" attitude I wouldn't let you near my Dodges with a 100 foot pole.

I have not edited any of these posts. BTW I worked at a dodge dealer for a long time and had to rebuild tons of trannys, replace valve bodys... in 6 month old or less trucks, some even before they were sold. I have not had to do that on ANY of my re-builds.

How many transmissions have YOU re-built ?

Posted By: moparmojo

Re: Average cost of trans rebuild? - 01/31/15 07:37 PM

Just to add some additional info, I was at Dobbs ( a local tire and auto here) getting my 92 D150 LE 5.2 auto w/ od inspected. While there asked them to give my a quote on rebuilt tranny. They quoted $2050 including labor and 2 year warranty and $2400 with 3 year warranty.
Mine seems to drive and shift fine but every once in a while I feel a little slippage. So some of these posts have me curious. As I have always wondered if it just needed a simple adjustment instead of a rebuild. I know nothing about trans rebuilds and wish there was a knowledgable honest shop who could tell me this without an arm and a leg.