Transmission rebuild labor cost

[SourDieselS4]

So i got the JHM rebuild kit for my transmission but in the end decided i dont want to do it myself, turbo swap is within my ability but the rebuild might be pushing it. I found someone local to do the job with plenty of experience who used to work at one of the regions better Audi & Porsche garages, but he is doing this job "on the side".

How much (ballpark) should I expect to pay for this service? I searched and found 2001s4ny does it but i couldnt find out for how much, If i was closer i would bring it to him, but i dont feel like desling with shipping it. The guy whose doing it is going to call me to give me a price in the next couple days after he picks it up from the shop that refered me, i just want to know if its high or low and if there might be room to negotiate.

Thanks guys

[wdbdy2000s4]

Definately pull the transmission yourself as well as putting it back in. That will save you 18 hours of labor charges.

[AudiA4_20T]

~1500 without parts I would say

[SourDieselS4]

Yup i did! Pulled the motor and transmission a couple weeks ago, seperated the transmission last week, and dropped it off allong with the box of parts i got from JHM today. Im told he does it alot and will give me a good deal im just wondering where the quote should be at, as there is no labor to remove or install the transmission, and no cost for parts, JUST the tear down and rebuild of the gearbox.

[SourDieselS4]

~1500 without parts I would say

really that much with no remove and install? Just the actual rebuild of the gearbox? Remember this isnt through a shop, its someone who does this on the side, i assume that will have some effect on the price. If its that steep maybe i should have done it myself haha

[Matt@JHM]

really that much with no remove and install? Just the actual rebuild of the gearbox? If its that steep maybe i should have done it myself haha

It's pretty hard to gauge how much some guy would charge on the side. Who knows, he might need the money and do it for a couple hundred bucks. Ask him.

Have you watched the DIY video with the rebuild kit? Watch it a few times and you may end up trying it yourself!

[eagledubg]

can you just pull the trans without pulling the motor? i guess a newb question im in a current situation and would like to save some money. possibly pull it my self but im not sure whats involved.

[SourDieselS4]

It's pretty hard to gauge how much some guy would charge on the side. Who knows, he might need the money and do it for a couple hundred bucks. Ask him.

Have you watched the DIY video with the rebuild kit? Watch it a few times and you may end up trying it yourself!

Thanks Matt! I was refered through a german performance shop in the immediate area, the guy whos doing the work should be calling me this week to talk before he starts so we can talk price. I was thinking $600-$800 would be acceptable....i guess ill just have to see though

There wasnt a DVD in the box with the rebuild kit and linkage upgrade, i meant to shoot you an email to ask for one. I did take a look at the little snip of it that was available on the web. My worst nightmare would be bringing (or shipping) a big box of gears to a shop and begging them to put it back together so i figured i better let someone with some experience do it. Maybe i was wrong though haha

Thanks for the input! JHM rocks! PS i think i might pick up that cayanne brake kit in a couple months, looks great

[Scotty@Advanced]

Thanks Matt! I was refered through a german performance shop in the immediate area, the guy whos doing the work should be calling me this week to talk before he starts so we can talk price. I was thinking $600-$800 would be acceptable....i guess ill just have to see though

A repair/replacement of the 1-2 collar and all syncros should take about 4-6 hours. If you go as far as checking the tolerances on the shafts, races, and bearings, setting the hollow shaft preload, checking the pinion contact patterns and checking/adjusting the differential preload (which is what a true rebuild should consist of) that will make the job about 8-10 hours.

[SourDieselS4]

A repair/replacement of the 1-2 collar and all syncros should take about 4-6 hours. If you go as far as checking the tolerances on the shafts, races, and bearings, setting the hollow shaft preload, checking the pinion contact patterns and checking/adjusting the differential preload (which is what a true rebuild should consist of) that will make the job about 8-10 hours.

Good info! I will remember this and ask him percisely what he will be doing, though i have a feeling it may not encompass all of that. What would the effect be if some of those things are not done, and is it likely that some of them may be out of whack even if the transmission is not totally beat to shit (its not)

I dont think the transmission is damaged or in bad shape at all, it has about 70,000 miles on it. I want it rebuilt because there is a slight grind if you shift from second to third above 3500 rpm or so, the motor is out and im going stage 3 so id rather not completely blow it 6 months down the road.

[RedRocketS4]

can you just pull the trans without pulling the motor? i guess a newb question im in a current situation and would like to save some money. possibly pull it my self but im not sure whats involved.

yes, it can be done, but most find it easier to pull the engine/transmission together. i did twice in my 1 car garage at my old apt complex. i got it out in 5 hrs, but it took about 8hrs to put back in. I did it mostly myself.

[eagledubg]

did you use a guide of some sort or just from experience with automotives?

[SourDieselS4]

Sorry i dont want to detract from the origional point of the thread because id still like to get peoples input, but...

I did it with a friend (definitly easier with 2 people) and i have minimal experience with cars (but i am mechanically inclined). We pulled the motor and transmission out together, did it in 2 evenings, probably a total of 6 hours. I feel i could cut that in half if i did it 2 more times. Really a piece of cake...

I used M3toS4's guide, a video that RAM@s4-mtm posted, mike 2ks4's cliffnotes, and a PDF document i dunno whos it is. All can be found with a quick search. I made a folder and every time i see a DIY or any thread i like and know i might want later i bookmark it, you should too! Really it was super easy to take out, probably a little harder to put back in, just gotta double check everything you cant reach with the motor in.

[kingofqueenz788]

hey bro ill rebuild your transmition if u want to meet my in ny!

[RogueStatus]

$800 without parts and trans pulled at a local shop in MA to rebuild an 01e. $1600 to remove, rebuild, install + parts.

[wdbdy2000s4]

$1600 to remove, rebuild, install + parts.

That's a steal. A lot of shops in MA charge 1500 for labor on a clutch alone.

[complacentsee]

a video that RAM@s4-mtm posted

Watching that video, I felt I could do it in 20 minutes.. Damn time lapse.

[RogueStatus]

That's a steal. A lot of shops in MA charge 1500 for labor on a clutch alone.

same shop, $700 for clutch job IIRC

[AAAA]

$800 without parts and trans pulled at a local shop in MA to rebuild an 01e. $1600 to remove, rebuild, install + parts.

that's about what i charge. a little bit less.

[jibberjive]

Watching that video, I felt I could do it in 20 minutes.. Damn time lapse.

lol, so true

[SourDieselS4]

UPDATE:

Cost for the rebuild was $400

My beast will soon be finished!

[kingofqueenz788]

ill rebuild your trans for 500$ u bring the parts!

[SourDieselS4]

haha already done. Just got some Redline MT-90 :)

[haus4]

UPDATE:

Cost for the rebuild was $400

My beast will soon be finished!

Wow thats an awesome price. Tells us how it shifts once you get her back together.

[SourDieselS4]

He definitely knows his s**t, came recommended by a local VW tuner. What he told me about the 01e failures and history is concurrent with everything i have read around here. He worked at a one of the regions most reputable euro performance shops but now has a 9 to 5 at a dealership and rebuilds transmissions on the side. Thats why is was so cheap, because he did it on the side, also it took a fair amount of time.

The gearbox has about 73,000 miles on it, was not locked up and still had function of all gears. The issue i was having was slight grinding up shifting into 3rd above 3500 rpm. All downshifts and low rpm shifting was fine. I had the gearbox out for a full stage 3 job and decided to rebuild with updated parts to prevent lockup with all the extra power. The grinding MAY have been caused by a poorly aligned shifter or something of that nature but i had my mind set to rebuild anyway.

The gearbox will be going back in with k04's DP's IC's etc but also 034 track density motor, transmission, + rear diff mounts and subframe bushings. 034 snub with cage, a new JHM poly mount for my DTS, JHM linkage upgrade. stabalizer bushing and cross rod upgrade to go with the JHM shifter i allready have. Also a vast stage 3 clutch to replace my lightly used RS4 clutch. Needless to say the car will be much more "locked down" than it was before, im sure shifts will feel even better than it did with the JHM shifter BEFORE the grinding started...

[uponone nogaro]

Bumping a old thread wish there was a shop to rebuild mines for 400 500 bucks