Buggy Disaster

iTrader: (1)

Hey TGO,

I have a 91Z with a 700r4

Last night I started my car normally. Put it in reverse, then realized the shifter had no tension as I put it in drive. As if the shifter wasn't connected to anything. So the car was stuck in reverse.

I then climbed underneath the car and noticed the end of the shifter cable was not connected to the trans.

My jack is broken and I have been beyond busy with classes/exams and needed the car quickly repaired. So I had it towed to a shop.

He says the linkage inside the trans was broken and needed to be replaced. The shop is going to charge me $300 for the fix.

Is this a $300 job? Anyone have a picture/diagram of this assembly.

I haven't seen the car in person since it broke, so I can't verify to see what exactly I did not want to pay that much, knowing that a T56 is going in next month.

Thanks

jmd

iTrader: (4)

A tow, dropping the pan, and repairing internal shift parts? Sounds about right.

Asking for the old parts back and hearing the shop owner mumble and stumble after replacing a $50 shift cable? Priceless.

Guest

My new (and graded) R4 cost $6xx with out the converter.

-and its a new (rebuild plus newer R4 upgrades) trans

robguitargod1

iTrader: (4)

Screw job. RUN

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Get it towed the heck out a there !!!

robguitargod1

iTrader: (4)

Fixing a shifter cable is simple, so don't let some 'mechanic' bend you over. Never doubt your own ability, especially with the wealth of knowledge available on the web.

James Sutton

iTrader: (2)

A good place to estimate repair costs:

http://www.automd.com/repaircost/

Not all repairs logable, but big ones are.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

So the cable came off the trans,

AND

The linkage is broke inside?

I doubt it. The cable is probably the only issue.

Buggy Disaster

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the replies.

My insurance policy allows free towing. So the 300 price was only labor and parts.


I do feel like the cable was the only issue.

The mechanic did call me and tell me to come up and look at the internal linkage before he replaced it. I did so, and while there he said that the "Rooster" needed to be replaced. He also said a clip that holds the rooster assembly was just laying in the pan when he took the pan off. Allowing play in the linkage.

The car is fixed now, and he "only" charged me $200. Better then $300, but I'm still annoyed.

Very true, robguitargod1. I had no doubt I could fix it and have it running in no time. A busy schedule and a broken jack kept me from doing so. Only time the car goes to the shop from now on, will be due to something that is completely over my head.

WhiteBlaze

iTrader: (1)

Uhhh... what is the "rooster"?

Ron U.S.M.C.

Around here the going rate for a mechanic is around $100.00 an hour. Then parts that have been marked up quite a bit from what he paid for them.
$300.00 sounds a little high but what you're paying for an hour is there knowledge and their ability to get it done correctly. If you find a good mechanic that you can trust and stands behind there work you've done almost the impossible. I have found two .A miracle.

What I have found with shops that have 2 post lifts ,they are dangerous to the under body and ground effects. I had my car crushed by them because the so called mechanic does not know where to put the arms on the unibody
of a Third Gen Camaro. The rear is easy but its the front .If he does not get on his back with a flashlight to place the arms in their correct position you're in trouble.

Marc 85Z28

iTrader: (3)

$300 seems about right, depending upon labor rate. $200 is a deal

1.0hr labor, diagnosis
1.3hr labor, repair
$25-$30 for manual shift lever and detent (rooster )
fluid
trans pan gasket