Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Transmission Service Quote....WOW! (Read 863 times) previous topic - next topic

Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Since I live right down the road from a very well known Diesel repair center (will remain un-named) that FT uses for all their transmission repairs, I thought out of curiosity I would call and get a quote to have them service the transmission and give it a once over test drive in my 98 U270. WOW, my ears are still on fire. They quoted me between $850-$1100 do change the fluid/filter and test drive. To my knowledge there is nothing wrong with it other than me trying to stay proactive by keeping it serviced.

Am I crazy for thinking that price is insane or what?
Zack & Ginny Methvin
1998 U270 36' WTFE
Build# 5242 (E-25 code)
FMCA# 548390
Longview, Texas

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #1 –
I'll do it for alot less,buy the fluid and filters yourself and find someone to change it.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #2 –
Well, I guess it's what is included in the service they are providing.  The TranSynd alone is $50 gallon x 12 gallons for our 4000.  Then there is the filters and the labor they will provide you.  They may also test the tranny fluid for particulates and metal shavings.  Also the test drive might involve hooking up  the tranny to the Allison software and the time involved for that.  Doesn"t sound too outrageous to me.

Jerre
Jerre and Kathy Griffin
2003 U320 4220 Special
Build # 6207
2022 RAM Laramie 4X4 EcoDiesel
2002 Country Coach Magna 37 Tag- Forever Coach-Died in fire 7/23
1997 Country Coach 32 Intrigue-No slides-Wonderful

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #3 –
Agree with DaBus....  Transynd on sale at Napa is still nearly $400 for two 5 gallon buckets.  A Filter kit is about $150....  It's a 3 hour job if all goes perfect.  Analysis is $50.  Current RV shop rates are $175 to $225 depending on how much they hate motorhomes.

You can do it yourself.  Took me about half a day.  It's a dirty job but not hard.  Nothing special needed other that a drain tank that will hold 12+ gallons.  I bought a commercial rubbermaid 16 gallon tub...works great.  Only need to air up the rear and place safety posts....  plenty high enough.

Refilling is a PITA!  Need a small transfer pump....and make sure you have screens on both inlet and outlet.....  But all in, less than $600...

There are several youtube videos that show the process.



2002 U320
3620 PBDS
Build 5985
2021 Equinox Toad
Motorcade 19006 & all those "other" clubs too!

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #4 –
An as I repeatedly tell people...."RVin ain't cheap or easy"!
2002 U320
3620 PBDS
Build 5985
2021 Equinox Toad
Motorcade 19006 & all those "other" clubs too!

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #5 –
Are you just needing filters and the fluid that comes out with them (25k service) or a full trans fluid replacement (150k miles)?  I could see the full fluid replacement + filters being that much, but not just a filter change.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #6 –
All the above is correct but the 3000 trans takes alot less fluid and the filters should be less and he did not say he was getting
a oil analysis and a test ride is not hooking the trans up to a computer.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #7 –
Also there are alternatives to Transynd, here's a list On-Highway Fluids.
Last time I changed mine I lucked out and found a Fleetrite product on sale at a International truck dealer for about half the cost as Castrol.
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #8 –
Guess I am just not used to prices nowadays. The service tech did not give me an itemized list of tasks involved in a service / test drive so I am not sure what all would be included at that price. I am at 54K miles and figure it might be time since I am unaware of any trans servicing my uncle did to the coach before he passed and I got it.
Zack & Ginny Methvin
1998 U270 36' WTFE
Build# 5242 (E-25 code)
FMCA# 548390
Longview, Texas

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #9 –
Seems about right based on my experience at Stewart and Stevenson. Had oil and filters changed, serpentine belt and transmission serviced with a couple of bearings, seals, filters, and 9 gallons of Transynd on our 1996 U295. Seemed pricey but the transmission should be good for a while. Transmission part $2,400.00 Total $4,500.00.
Brian & Lisa Freeze
1996 U295 36FT Build #4914
Motorcade #18760

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Zack & Ginny –
Guess I am just not used to prices nowadays. The service tech did not give me an itemized list of tasks involved in a service / test drive so I am not sure what all would be included at that price. I am at 54K miles and figure it might be time since I am unaware of any trans servicing my uncle did to the coach before he passed and I got it.

I see your in Longview, not far from nac, take it to Keith Risch.. he did mine last may.. the 4000 Allison takes 9 gallons ( about $450) which I bought on Amazon and took to Keith, his rate is very reasonable...


Keith Newlin
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Zack & Ginny –
Guess I am just not used to prices nowadays. The service tech did not give me an itemized list of tasks involved in a service / test drive so I am not sure what all would be included at that price. I am at 54K miles and figure it might be time since I am unaware of any trans servicing my uncle did to the coach before he passed and I got it.
If you are not used to the cost of keeping one these busses going down the road. You soon will be. Or out of the business.
I joke when I bought this bus and started doing upgrades and service work. I told people, it's not cheap living like a rock star. 😂
Welcome to the money hemorrhage. Pray you don't have something big go wrong. I just spent $4500 on a slide seal replacement. I could go on but I won't. Good luck with your coach.
2008 Nimbus 342
Build# 6464
ISM 500
Allison 4000 w/retarder
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #12 –
I had an Allison 4000 "ReTran" rebuilt transmission  installed last summer at Stewart & Stevenson in Middletown CT.  It started shifting hard on the 5-6 upshift so I took it to WW Williams in Phoenix recently.  It is under warranty so it didn't cost me anything but for them to test drive, hook up computer, test pressures and reset adaptive shift parameters and another test drive, the bill to Allison was $414.  I can see where filters and fluid would take the expense to your estimate.
2014 Newell 2020P

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #13 –
After looking at the cost of fluid and filters, I now agree, that may not be so bad after all. I can do the fluid and filter change myself but the diagnostics check and such I will still have to pay S/S to do. As I mentioned above, it is not really acting up but sometimes on the upshift from 3rd to 4th, it shifts rather hard and that is mostly on level to slightly inclining roads. Could be that I am just not used to it yet. I am used to driving semi's with manual transmissions so this is still a bit new to me.
Zack & Ginny Methvin
1998 U270 36' WTFE
Build# 5242 (E-25 code)
FMCA# 548390
Longview, Texas

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #14 –
There is a way to reset the adaptive learn on the Allison. The transmission has the ability to learn how you drive. Sometimes it needs to be reset. The procedure may be in the owners manual. Or possibly google it.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Zack & Ginny –
As I mentioned above, it is not really acting up but sometimes on the upshift from 3rd to 4th, it shifts rather hard and that is mostly on level to slightly inclining roads. Could be that I am just not used to it yet. I am used to driving semi's with manual transmissions so this is still a bit new to me.

The 3-4 gear change in the 4000 is a pretty good change in ratio, which means a decent amount of rpm change from 3rd to 4th.  If you're on the throttle with any kind of load, the 3-4 shift does feel abrupt.  This is probably exacerbated by the fact that it shifts with the converter clutch locked up, so there is no fluid coupling dampening of the shift. 
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #16 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
The 3-4 gear change in the 4000 is a pretty good change in ratio, which means a decent amount of rpm change from 3rd to 4th.  If you're on the throttle with any kind of load, the 3-4 shift does feel abrupt.  This is probably exacerbated by the fact that it shifts with the converter clutch locked up, so there is no fluid coupling dampening of the shift.

Ah, well that explains what I am feeling. It acts just as you have described. I think I would still like to reset the learning piece of it as Bruce mentioned above to just start fresh. If anyone has the instructions for this please shoot me a PM, I will keep looking online to see what I cam find on it as well. Thanks
Zack & Ginny Methvin
1998 U270 36' WTFE
Build# 5242 (E-25 code)
FMCA# 548390
Longview, Texas

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Zack & Ginny –
... I think I would still like to reset the learning piece of it as Bruce mentioned above to just start fresh. If anyone has the instructions for this please shoot me a PM, I will keep looking online to see what I cam find on it as well. Thanks

I'm shooting from the hip as I don't have any direct knowledge, but it seems people say the transmission is always adapting.  Which makes sense as Allison knows that vehicles change owners, geographic areas, and duty profiles over time.  You can force it into a reset by hooking it up to their software, but it seems you're better off just driving it.
Steve and Cassi
2007 Foretravel Nimbus 42'
 

Re: Transmission Service Quote....WOW!

Reply #18 –
Quote from: stevej –
I'm shooting from the hip as I don't have any direct knowledge, but it seems people say the transmission is always adapting.  Which makes sense as Allison knows that vehicles change owners, geographic areas, and duty profiles over time.  You can force it into a reset by hooking it up to their software, but it seems you're better off just driving it.

And you may be exactly right Steve. I have been doing more research today and from what I have read so far, Allison only recommends a reset if the unit has been worked on. Their recommendations are reflective who what you are saying so, for now unless someone can give me more reasons to do a reset, I will be leaving it as is and just drive it. I DO NOT want to create issues when there is no need to. Due to the stiff upshift from 3-4 occasionally, I was trying to think proactively instead of being reactive when it was too late. I think it just boils down to me not being familiar enough yet with the shifting patterns of this transmission. Once I have more miles behind me, I will feel more comfortable with taking action on my concerns. Thanks
Zack & Ginny Methvin
1998 U270 36' WTFE
Build# 5242 (E-25 code)
FMCA# 548390
Longview, Texas