What does the term "rebuilt" really mean?

"I have had 3 different rebuilt transmissions in my vehicle. Each one has failed in short order. What does the term "rebuilt" really mean, as it applies to automatic transmissions?"

The term "rebuilt" is a very loose term with many different definitions. I believe "rebuilt" means completely disassembling the unit, thoroughly cleaning and inspecting each component, and replacing any and all components that are not in exactly the same shape as a new part. In addition, the term "rebuilt", as it refers to automatic transmissions, includes the carefully and fully-understood modification of any component that is generally understood to be a "problem part", often failing prematurely.

The problem is that each technicion may have a different idea of what passes as a good part, what passes as thoroughly clean, and what parts are "problem parts", needing modification. In addition, technicians my disagree with what is a good modification to perform, to make a part more reliable. Also, there is much competition in the transmission industry (as it is in many industries), and many shops tend to reduce their prices in order to lure in more work. When they cut their prices "to the bone", they then look for ways to reduce their expenses. One way is to put in inferior parts, sacrificing quality for quantity. Another popular way is to lower the standards that "acceptable" parts have to pass, saying "good enough", or "it will last a while longer", rather than saying "this part has not completely failed, but, since it is not perfect, I will replace it".

As an example, I just got the opportunity to work on a newly rebuilt transmission, "rebuilt" by a shop for a well-known "discount" autoparts store. The customer purchased the transmission (a GM TH350C) from the discount autoparts store, and managed to drop the transmission (which broke the transmission case) while transporting it, prior to installation. My job was to change the case, but not to modify the transmission in any way. I found a long list of "problems" (in my opinion) with the transmission, none of which would keep the transmission from working, but all of which would shorten the life of the transmission. The transmission, and all of it's components were very dirty. Many of the replaceable bushings were worn out (I always replace ALL of the bushings during the overhaul of a 350), the pump had excessive wear (again, it would work but was not within specification, and need replacement; most 350's need a rebuilt pump, so I automatically put a pump in every 350 I overhaul.), the unit was built with small capacity clutch drum pistons (I always "update" all 350's to accept the maximum stock amount of clutches), and many of the components were not even removed from the case (as evidenced by the dirty transmission fluid present when I removed the L/R piston and accumulator piston). Many of the rubber components were not even replaced. None of the plastic washers were replaced (I always replace the plastic washers with metal ones, but never reuse the plastic components). Like I said, the unit would have worked but was generally POOR QUALITY. This is only one example of many that I encounter from day to day. The customer did spend less, for the transmission he bought, than we charge for overhauling his PROPERLY, so he may think, as well as some other people, that he "saved money", but, in my opinion, he spent too much for the job that he received, and, in the long run, may have to spend again to cure the problem that he spent money to cure this time around.

There is a great deal of trust involved, when you hand over your car keys to a technician for a repair. You trust that he (or she) knows how to fix the car properly. You trust that he has had the proper schooling, and training to fix it efficiently (your paying him by the hour, so if he charges a little less per hour, but takes twice, or four-times as long to locate and fix the problem, you are spending far too much to have your car fixed). You trust that he is honest and does not sell you something that you do not need. You trust that he is not overly optimistic on telling you how long it will take to locate and fix the problem (it is far better, I have found, to tell the customer it will take until Friday to complete the repair, than to tell him Tuesday, then Wednesday, then Thursday, and finally Friday, when he's good and mad, that his car is finally done.)

You want to be very comfortable with the person you are dealing with. Make sure that the shop is reputable. Make sure that their technicians are qualified. Ask around. Ask your friends, relatives, general mechanic, etc.: "who would you take your transmission problem to?" Don't take your car to the shop that gives you the cheapest price, over the phone, without even checking out the car. In fact, don't take your car anywhere where they can give you a price, over the phone, without first having the problem diagnosed, first hand. Understand that last statement. Think about it. For example, your transmission quits upshifting. You conclude that the transmission needs to be rebuilt, and begin shopping for a price. You call all over, and get prices ranging from $500 to $800 to overhaul your transmission. You call the shop I happen to work at, and we tell you "bring it down; it will cost you nothing for us to check it out, do a preliminary diagnosis, and give you an idea of what it will really cost you to get your car fixed". It may sound like a "slick way to get you in the door", but if you brought the car to us, we may find that the vacuum modulator line is disconnected, or the governor gear is defective, or the TV linkage is "hung", or something else simple that may be causing the shifting problem. Any of these problems could be corrected for far less than an overhaul price. If you brought the car to a shop that told you $500, they may not even check the car out, before tearing the transmission out and overhauling it. Why should they? They already have you talked into getting rid of $500 and they sincerely believe that you need an overhaul, so diagnosing the problem before overhauling the unit would just be a "waste of time" in their opinion.

Watch out for unreasonable warrantee periods. Many shops lure you in with a "lifetime gaurantee". Nothing lasts forever, and I, personally, have never seen a good "lifetime part". I want to spend a reasonable price, for a good quality part (I prefer to use factory parts if there is any question), and I expect it to last a "reasonable amount of time".

The point. The point?? Oh yes, the point. I read somewhere that "there will always be someone who can do it cheaper, by cutting a corner here or there". "It is always wiser to spend too much money for a job well done, than to spend too little, for if you spend too much, and the job is done properly, you are out some money, but your original problem is solved; if you spend too little, your are out some money, and your original problem may not be fixed permanently, and properly, so you may still have to spend to get your original problem fixed properly, down the road." Don't settle for the cheapest price. I know transmission repair is expensive and no one, but an extreme few, have more money than they know what to do with; we all need to save money where we can. Just make sure that if you do have to spend money on a repair, that you spend it wisely, so, chances are, you will not have to spend again to correct the very same problem.