Has anyone used Daryl at AA Transaxle?

[Bookwus]

Hiya All,

For what it might be worth................

Since we are talking trans rebuilders here I have used German Transaxle of America over in Bend and I have nothing but praise for Ken and his crew over there. Many of the VW specialists in the Portland area farm out to GTA when they are faced with transaxle problems. GTA did an excellent job of rebuilding my AutoStick (try to find any rebuilder who will do that) and stood behind the work to boot.

[misszora]

Hiya All,

For what it might be worth................

Since we are talking trans rebuilders here I have used German Transaxle of America over in Bend and I have nothing but praise for Ken and his crew over there. Many of the VW specialists in the Portland area farm out to GTA when they are faced with transaxle problems. GTA did an excellent job of rebuilding my AutoStick (try to find any rebuilder who will do that) and stood behind the work to boot.

Good to know about both. Now that Miss Zora has nice, clean, frictionless gear oil, she is slowly oozing said gear oil in a couple of different places and is beginning to make humming/growling noises (although not too loudly).

Here's a question: Better to rebuild or to buy a rebuilt?

[dtrumbo]

Here's a question: Better to rebuild or to buy a rebuilt?

I just got my 091 back from Daryl yesterday. What a great guy! He took the time to show me all of my problems (gears with teeth missing, worn bearings, etc. etc.). It's back in the bus, but I've still got a little work to do before I can test drive it so a full report will have to wait.

As far as your question, Paige, it depends on who did the rebuild. After talking with Daryl I learned quite a bit about the innerds of our transmissions. According to my PO, my transmission was "recently rebuilt". The guy's business card was bolted to the case which actually verified that this was true. Names will be withheld to protect the incompetent. Long story short, he did a crappy job riddled with short cuts to save money. The short answer to your question is, you get what you pay for. I paid Daryl $1100.00 for my transmission to be rebuilt but I know he put the best quality parts available in it and it comes with a two-year no-hassle warranty. I know you've been putting a lot of money into Miss Zora lately, but save your pennies and get your transmission rebuilt from someone you KNOW and TRUST! Be very careful and get references before you lay down your hard earned money.

Sorry to be so windy here, but this is probably the one thing that we, the owner/drivers of these vehicles, can't do for ourselves. We are forced to put our trust in someone else so make triple-dog-sure that person is worthy of your trust.

[misszora]

I just got my 091 back from Daryl yesterday. What a great guy! He took the time to show me all of my problems (gears with teeth missing, worn bearings, etc. etc.). It's back in the bus, but I've still got a little work to do before I can test drive it so a full report will have to wait.

As far as your question, Paige, it depends on who did the rebuild. After talking with Daryl I learned quite a bit about the innerds of our transmissions. According to my PO, my transmission was "recently rebuilt". The guy's business card was bolted to the case which actually verified that this was true. Names will be withheld to protect the incompetent. Long story short, he did a crappy job riddled with short cuts to save money. The short answer to your question is, you get what you pay for. I paid Daryl $1100.00 for my transmission to be rebuilt but I know he put the best quality parts available in it and it comes with a two-year no-hassle warranty. I know you've been putting a lot of money into Miss Zora lately, but save your pennies and get your transmission rebuilt from someone you KNOW and TRUST! Be very careful and get references before you lay down your hard earned money.

Sorry to be so windy here, but this is probably the one thing that we, the owner/drivers of these vehicles, can't do for ourselves. We are forced to put our trust in someone else so make triple-dog-sure that person is worthy of your trust.

Good answer! There is always the chance that I will have to live in Miss Zora some day so I feel pretty good about giving her the best care now.

Glad to hear you are happy with your decision. Can't wait to hear about the test drive.

[Bookwus]

Hiya Paige,

Even though we used different rebuilders, I'd ditto what Dick had to say about finding a quality rebuilder. Yep, it's gonna cost you more when you pay the bill but it's gonna last longer and give you better service.

[Amskeptic]

I just got my 091 back from Daryl yesterday. He took the time to show me all of my problems (gears with teeth missing, worn bearings, etc. etc.). It's back in the bus, but I've still got a little work to do before I can test drive it so a full report will have to wait.

Was my hare-brained speculation regarding 1st gear popping anywhere near correct? (a. mainshaft movement kicking the synchro out b. rounded teeth on the slider/synchro ring c. incorrect fork adjustment vis-a-vis detents)
Colin

[misszora]

Hiya Paige,

Even though we used different rebuilders, I'd ditto what Dick had to say about finding a quality rebuilder. Yep, it's gonna cost you more when you pay the bill but it's gonna last longer and give you better service.

I've had the current transmission for about 8 years - it wasn't a rebuilt. It was just a replacement when the other one died. $1100 is a lot but in a year or two when I look back on all of this it will be soooooo worth it.

And as always, I value everyone's input.
thanks again.

[dtrumbo]

Was my hare-brained speculation regarding 1st gear popping anywhere near correct? (a. mainshaft movement kicking the synchro out b. rounded teeth on the slider/synchro ring c. incorrect fork adjustment vis-a-vis detents)
Colin

Yes, you're x-ray vision goggles are tuned perfectly! When I took the tranny to him, the first thing he did was grab the main shaft and with a push-pull motion demonstrated the slop that was present. Then when I picked it up, he showed me that those beveled teeth that you described to me were either rounded off or missing altogether from the incompetent prior re-builder just removing them instead of re-shaping them.

Daryl also told me he that instead of dead-center, he adjusts the sliders to slightly favor first and fourth gears which should add even a little bit more life to the rebuild.

I'm getting a cup o' joe down my neck and then I'm out to the shop to re-install the exhaust, external oil cooler lines and the drive axles. I doubt I'll get all that done this morning so the test drive will probably be tomorrow.

[Amskeptic]

Daryl also told me he that instead of dead-center, he adjusts the sliders to slightly favor first and fourth gears

Let's review this statement in light of your current situation.
Colin