A4LD Deal or No Deal?

[Lt.Jim]

So my 94xlt approached 96,000 or 196,000 not sure. Knew it would soon be trans time. Well 2weeks ago my A4LD gave up the ghost. I would have loved to do the work myself but had neither the time, tools or workspace to do it. So I bit the bullet and took it to the trans shop.

Here is what I can figure from the trans guy's writing:
Labor
-R&R trans and transfer case
-Complete rebuild of trans
-flushed cooler and lines
-Install reman torque converter

Parts
-Rebuild kit
-Stator w/gears
-Forward planet
-OD Planet
-Washer
-Torque Converter
-OA Drum
-Sun Gear
-Snap shell

Trans Labor=$832.17
Trans Parts+$752.80

This came with a 12/12,000 Warranty.

Did I get hosed, fair or a good deal?

 

[Tbars4]

if it makes you feel any better, i just did mine last month...that is the amount i was quoted by several shops, 1500 and some up to 1800....i did alot of searching and found a tranny shop running a special and i asked them if they would apply it to my a4ld and they said yes...i got mine done for under 900 but if, and i say this as it is important, if i need to have them repair it, we will see how good they are/were and how they warranty the parts...it's kind of a shot in the dark, but they swear up front it's going to last and the warranty is good....my next tranny will be a c-4 or better swap...you might look into what that would cost and it will at last an a4ld by years...i hope this helps...

 

[BrooklynBay]

I doesn't say if they rebuilt, or at least cleaned the valve body.

 

[Glacier991]

good deal. Nice he realized that certain hard parts should be replaced.

 

[Lt.Jim]

I doesn't say if they rebuilt, or at least cleaned the valve body.

No it does not and I did not think to ask him either.

 

[nlove198]

A4LD, my 2 cents

Jim here is my opinion. I worked as a service advisor for Ford from 85-91 and was involed in many A4LD rebuilds. My own Areostar had 3 under warranty.

You MUST include a new valve body in this repair, or you are looking for trouble. Do not let the tech tell you different.
my opinion,
Gary

 

[cloaked_chaos]

I buy my A4LD's from a place called Phoenix Hard Parts in Phoenix, AZ for about $750+core charge, and then install them myself. You have gotten a good deal, but if it were me, I would have spent a LOT less.

 

[Glacier991]

When I build an A4LD, I replace more than was replaced in yours.... but I tend to overdo everything. I wuld have liked to see replaced sprags in addition to what I saw replaced. (I am not being a critic though, keep reading...)

I do all Sonnax upgrades and I rebuild the VB. I also add a shift kit.

I charge more than you paid though.

Overall compared against the usual trans shop rebuild I'd say you did well. Any resulting VB problems are DIY items.

 

[Lt.Jim]

Any resulting VB problems are DIY items.

I have read your rebuild diaries and was considering the rebuild myself. As mentioned though I did not have the time, tools or place to do it. If a valve body issue were to come up I may tackle it myself but I will wait and see.

The shop I went to has a decent reputation. I am pleased with the work so far.

Thanks everyone for your input

 

[Glacier991]

Enjoy what you have. You did ok, and I am not expecting some immediate or even short term issue. Longer term if they arise we can deal with them.

Love that Explorer and change the fluid in 20,000M or so.

 

[Lt.Jim]

Love that Explorer and change the fluid in 20,000M or so.

I do and will! Thanks!

 

[BrooklynBay]

You could always add stuff like a larger cooler, external filter, and a temperature gauge. Did they use regular Dexron III/Mercon ATF? You could use full synthetic, and a Fram microfelt filter.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Gary, what year is your Aerostar? What was the mileage on all 3 occasions which you had to replace the transmission?

 

[nlove198]

Gary, what year is your Aerostar? What was the mileage on all 3 occasions which you had to replace the transmission?

BB the Aerostar was an '89, DOM 11/88. It was a dealer demo with around 10k on it when purchased. I remember they had a hard time selling it because it had so many options, it was priced near an Eddie Bauer. I did get a good deal on it, and ESP Total extended wty for 100k. I remember writing a dozen or so tranny repairs on similar Stars in my first 6 mo on the job. At around 12K or so it developed a hard shift. We were getting several TSB's from Ford about this and it seemed like they were shooting in the dark.

The SM said rebuild it, and we did-Repair #1 12K.

I was never really happy after that. It seemed to flip flop between soft, lazy shifts and IMO at the time hard upshifts. The second rebuild came at around 24-25K. This time the VB was replaced with new. Ford had changed the design or component parts at least twice since DOM. All driveability problems went away at this point. Repair #2 25K

New VB was included in all wty repairs in our shop and many others after this.

The 3rd rebuild came at around 49k, pump seals blew out, mod leaking, pan leaking-just plain leaking. It looked the the Exxon Valdiz ran aground in my driveway. Repair #3 49K

Funny thing is, we had 100's of A4LD's, racking up mega mileage with no probs at all.

Looking back, the tranny was not so problematic. But Dang!, trying to keep freon in that dual A/C was a real b****h! LOL

Gary

 

[IamJim]

Hello World !!

I sure the heck someone is out here (laugh) as I see the last post almost 2 years ago

I'd really like to track down Gary for my question, and learned a lot just reading the thread..but if anyone else knows or can help, I sure thank-you in advance!!

1) 1993 Areostar (sorry...laugh) XLT AWD which has the A4LD

2) Just up and died, (last year) but a week earlier had trans fluid leak...I'd say front seal

3) Now, doesn't move...no noise...no nothing, so I have been told the pump should stiil be fine.

4) I don't trust AT rebuilding ships, and almost pulled the trigger on the Phoenix Trans place a few times...but shipping/core/return shipping etc...hell, I was whay up there $$$ and read horror stories.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Phoenix+Hard+Parts+

5) The question? (And Gary would know)...or many of you Exp gurus might also...as all the jazz being the same for Automatics/etc...

May I take the 5-speed from a Exp/Ranger and toss it in the van " I'd suspect the Exp's (sticks) have hydraulic slave cylinders like my 1986 did?

Thx for looking...and hopefully someone knows please?

Thx!! Jim C

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! The Aerostar section has a lot of information if you want to check it out. The link is in my signature.

 

[IamJim]

Thank-you for the welcome, and didn't even think of looking there...<lol> Just saw Gary worked for a dealership...hasn't been online in some time...and hoping to pick his brain. The service manager at our Ford place 30 miles away...has no clue ( That's sad ) I wish I had his gravy job..

Jim