Here is my experience dealing with this shop.
Took my car to the shop for a free diagnostic check on 02/19. Was quoted to rebuild a transmission for $2962.7
1. Dropped off the car on 02/22/10 and was promised to get it back in 2-3 days.instead, got a call to pick up the car on 02/26, i.E.in 5 days. While driving from the shop heard low tone noise at 1st and 2nd gears, immediately returned the car. The owner suggested that I drive the car for a couple of weeks hoping that "the noise will wear out".
2. Two weeks later returned the car as the noise did not go away. Next day the owner called back and said that transmission was fine and the noise was comingfrom somewhere else which he could investigate but would have to chargeextra.
After consulting with another mechanic, who had said that the problem was IN the transmission, I called back and refused to pay anything extra and suggested that the owner fixes the transmission. When he rejected my offer I asked to get my car back as would have to have another mechanic fix it and would have to submit complaints to AAMCO Customer Service, BBB and, if necessary, take this issue with the owner to court. He then suggested to take another look at the transmission and to call me back on the same day.
Duringthis transmission check, I had to call almost every day as the owner failed to keep me up-to-date despite his multiple promises. After takingthe transmission apart and replacing bell housing casing secondary shaft bearing, bell housing gasket, and side cover gasket, the noise waseliminated. To check and repair transmission the owner kept my car for 8days (from 03/08/10 to 03/15/10).
3. On 05/01/10, when another mechanic changed engine oil in my car, he noticed that transmission fluid was leaking. I immediately contacted the owner of theAAMCO shop and scheduled an appointment on 05/04/10.
The owner determined that the front left axle seal was leaking and replaced it.
4. On the very same day (05/04/10) I noticed that the transmission fluid was still leaking and scheduled an appointment on 05/10/10.
5. On05/10/10 the same left axle seal was replaced again and I was told thatIf it leaks again, the owner would have to replace the front left axle and, as it is a part of drive train (not transmission), he would have tocharge extra.
6. Later that day (05/10/10) I noticed that transmission fluid was still leaking and notified the owner of the AAMCOshop, who in response told me that I would have to pay $250 to replace the axle. This time, however, before taking the car to the shop again, Iwent to 2 other shops (one of them was another AAMCO shop located in Limerick, PA) for a free transmission check. These both shops determinedthat because the front left axle was bouncing up and down the axle sealwas quickly wearing out, thereby causing the leak. When asked why the axle was bouncing, both mechanics told me that it was differential INSIDE transmission and that it had to be repaired. Mechanics at both shops also told me that the front left axle had nothing to do with the leak.
I communicated these results to the owner and suggested that he finally fixes transmission at no extra cost or reimburses my expenses to have the transmission fixed at another shop. He suggested tocheck my car again.
7. On the morning of 05/18/10 I took the carto the shop and got it back at the of the day on 05/22/10 (i.E. 5 days). This time not only did the owner NOT call me (despite his promise) but was not answering my calls made from my cell phone either. Immediately after making one such call I called the owner from another phone and he picked up the phone right away... This time, according to the owner's receipt, case half and differential were reconditioned and new front left axle and OH kit were installed.
Unless you get entertained going through similar experience, STAY AWAY from this shop.
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