Scooner Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 So I took my 4 speed single range out of my BRAT along with my motor to have it supposedly bench tested at the local Aamco shop. Well they were waiting to see if they could get all of the seals to put it all together again, which they can. The problem is they have the entire thing torn apart so they could inspect all the internals. He tells me they can reassemble it with full brand new seals and the total out the door price with also resurfacing my flywheel is $1150. Which doesn't sound too terribly bad to me but I didn't want to spend that much, I wanted them to bench test it and see if it was in working condition. But lo and behold some miscommunication and they have it fully torn down now. My question is there anyway I can just go puck up all of my parts and put it back together myself? Have any of you torn one down and put it back together? Even better does anyone have an exploded diagram showing everything? Thanks everyone or anyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicypeanut Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 I think I have exactly the booklet you need. Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsunrides Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Had a buddy that worked at an AAMCO here in CA, and because he has morals, he did not last there long. Not saying the place you went to does this, but the place he worked at had the service writers on a sales quota. Had a guy come in that probably just needed a band adjustment or something, and his manager made him sell the guy a rebuilt transmission! I would NEVER go to an AAMCO for transmission work. My opinion is they understood what you wanted perfectly, then screwed you over. How the hell do you bench test a transmission? Anyway, most transmissions shops I have used charge around $400-$600 to FULLY rebuild a older trans, depending on what internal parts are needed, usually syncros and bearings. I would go there, grab the trans and take it somewhere else and not pay them a dime. Actually if they tore it down without your approval (in writing) they need to return it to you in the same condition you brought it in, but who knows if they would assemble it right. Mark 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicypeanut Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Mark, You are absolutely right. I've heard so many horror stories from places like that. Even normal transmission shops you have to be careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooner Posted April 11, 2015 Author Share Posted April 11, 2015 My brother was a manager of one for a long time and he told me he used to bench test and give a good diagnosis, of course it was at one in Denver. Guess i'll be paying them their $150 diagnosis fee and taking home a box of puzzle pieces haha. Oh well lesson learned... You guys rock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Transmissions, the #1 car repair ripoff "we cant tell till we take it apart", #2 is bad cats (but usually due to lazy techs). It depends upon how far they tore it down. My guess is yes as i doubt they took gears off the shafts to rebuild the synchros. My question is how would you know you got all the parts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junk250 Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 I've never heard of bench testing a Manual transmission but whatever. I bet you could find a decent auto recycle (junkyard) online that would ship two or three good used ones to you for 1,150.00. OMG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbosubarubrat Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 If you were set on a ea71 you could get a fat case ea71 off a later year and bolt a 5 speed d/r to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooner Posted April 11, 2015 Author Share Posted April 11, 2015 Yeah, the more I think about it the more I realize there is not a good way to bench test a transmission, short of spinning the shaft in each gear maybe? Still that doesn't seem possible to do. I must've misunderstood him, this shop however actually said they could bench test it I do remember that haha. I guess bench testing means tearing it all apart and checking everything inside? What a rookie mistake on my behalf. I decided I am going to stick with all original and keep the EA71 with top starter mount tranny. Also, if thus tranny cannot be put back together I have a complete known good one in my parts Brat I will just use, so not all is lost! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsunrides Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 It is possible to "bench test" the trans by spinning the input shaft with some sort of motor, but there are 2 problems. 1- How do you shift gears? There is no clutch to disengage the trans from the motor. You would have to stop the motor to shift (or speed shift), then you are not exactly checking the syncros. 2- how would you place a load on the bearings and gears? Usually bearing/gear noises show up under load. If the trans is one that a person is not familiar with and not in the car, the best way to check it is a teardown. (or just swap it into the vehicle, not super difficult on old Subies) Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1000 Pistes Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 I think I have exactly the booklet you need. Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Could you let me know the gear ratios and the CWP ratio of this 5speed top starter gearbox???? I would like to know,also,if there is some D/R FWD SUBARU gearbox to fit fat case EA71 engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvsarge Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 (edited) Just wanted to throw in that not ALL AAMCOs are terrible. A friend of mine runs one here in town, and maybe it's because I know him, that I don't have problems taking anything to him. Heck, the guy has even let me use his lift a handful of times. But, I totally understand and have heard some people are unhappy with their shops. I suppose every shop is a little different as are the people that run them. Sucks you had a bad experience. Hope you can find a solution that works. Edited April 12, 2015 by lvsarge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooner Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 Yeah, it's not big deal really. Like i said my brother ran one in west Denver for a long time and he was let go because he was "too honest"and for some reason he couldn't justify selling stuff to people that they didn't need. Him and I must've used the lifts in there at least a half dozen times on various different projects. I think tomorrow I am just going to "pop" in unannounced and pick up my box of tranny parts, by the way is $75 too much to turn a flywheel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsunrides Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 by the way is $75 too much to turn a flywheel? For a flat flywheel, yes. For a stepped flywheel, borderline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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