🚀 go-pugleaf

Dylan Salisbury wrote:
> 
> Maybe this problem doesn't deserve the "woe" label, but I'm not mechanically
> inclined and I could use some advice.
> 
> Two weeks ago, I noticed my car slipping out of first gear into neutral
> when I was driving slowly (such as in stop-and-go-type traffic where I
> don't get out of first gear).
> 
> Then, one day as I was backing up, the car locked up and jerked around
> just as I was fully engaging the reverse gear.  I tried again, it happened
> again and I had to use some force to get the stick out of the reverse
> position.  The third try I was able to engage reverse successfully.  Later
> that day I had the same problem getting into first gear.
> 
> I took the car to the nearest dealer, SF Auto Center.  They gave me two
> options: replace the exchange unit ($3000) or rebuild the transmission
> ($2100-$2800).  I asked if there was any more information about the cause of
> the problem, but the answer was "not until we take the transmission apart
> to see what's wrong."
> 
> This sounded reasonable but expensive so I checked with the only other
> Saab mechanics I've used, B&B in Santa Clara (also a dealer).  They
> confirmed that the costs I'd been quoted were normal.
> 
> Now for the plea for advice...
> 
> Am I really in a hopeless situation, or should I bring my car to a
> transmission specialist who might have a cheaper fix?  I would love
> to receive reccomendations for such a mechanic in San Francisco or nearby.

I feel your pain, but the prices quoted seem pretty much in line with
reality.  We own 2 '88 Ford Taurases (Tauri?) and have had the
transmissions rebuilt on both of them.  We had the top of the line job
done on one and it costed $2200. The other one we will trade off in less
than a year we had the 'minimal' rebuild done.  It cost $1800.  The work
was done by an honest shop and the prices were $300-$400 less than a
Ford dealership quoted. 

The only thing that I would suggest is that the mechanic first checks
the pressures and drain the fluid.  A good mechanic can often tell the
health of the tranny by the pressure and the condition of the fluid
before he takes the unit out of the car.  The problem may be a cable or
linkage that would not require removing the transmission. 

Regards,
Jim