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I had an appointment with the dealer today to check out what I believe is a trans coupler.problem with my car. The first thing they tell me is they wont be able to check my car out for at least 3 or 4 days. I would have to leave it there. I figured if i left it there i won't see it for a week or ten days. They also tell me most dealers arn't even taking reservations. When I get home I call aamco and they say they can do the job in a day or two. I feel kinda funny taking my car to someone other than the dealer. Does anyone have knowledge of this company? Would you take your car to them?
Last edited by 50th year; Dec 1, 2021 at 01:31 PM.
I've always had the best luck local family owned companies that are built on a solid reputation, rather than big box chain stores where the tech's are paid on commission.
I've always had the best luck local family owned companies that are built on a solid reputation, rather than big box chain stores where the tech's are paid on commission.
Why do you think it's the coupler?
Good luck!
When I punch the car at about 60 I get this huge clunk from tran area. At 20 or 30 no problem no clunk it runs through the gears .
I had an appointment with the dealer today to check out what I believe is a trans coupler.problem with my car. The first thing they tell me is they wont be able to check my car out for at least 3 or 4 days. I would have to leave it there. I figured if i left it there i won't see it for a week or ten days. They also tell me most dealers arn't even taking reservations. When I get home I call aamco and they say they can do the job in a day or two. I feel kinda funny taking my car to someone other than the dealer. Does anyone have knowledge of this company? Would you take your car to them?
I would check with other people you know to see if they have heard anything about your local AAMCO shop. The quality of a repair depends on the owner of the shop. Some of them are rip pff artists while others are honest owners that will do their best to give you a quality repair. I would also wonder how many C5/C6/C7 Corvettes they have worked on.
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Bill makes some good points. Always check the reputation of the shop you are considering. If you have a local Corvette club, check with them for recommendations.
I'd wait for the dealer in case it develops into a complexed job or transmission and/or torque tube has to come out. Believe I'd rather have it at a Chevy dealer that has a good general knowledge of the C7 as opposed to an AAMCO shop.
Transmission shops are very much a "buyer beware" situation, and AAMCO in particular has a relatively sordid history (at one time they were banned from Texas by the state AG), but as Bill says the quality of work at one of their shops is heavily dependent on the franchise owner. That said, the owner typically hires a shop manager who often gets paid on commission and will probably tell you whatever they think you want to hear to get the car into their shop. Once it's torn down you're at their mercy, and if parts are required they will fall behind factory shops in terms of availability (which at the moment sucks for everyone). And if they can get to your car that quickly, it begs the question of why their time is so readily available. Also transmission shops have "generalists" who have to work on every/all makes/models and are not specifically trained to work on Corvettes so as Kevin said I would lean toward the dealer's expertise in this case.
Transmission shops are very much a "buyer beware" situation, and AAMCO in particular has a relatively sordid history (at one time they were banned from Texas by the state AG), but as Bill says the quality of work at one of their shops is heavily dependent on the franchise owner. That said, the owner typically hires a shop manager who often gets paid on commission and will probably tell you whatever they think you want to hear to get the car into their shop. Once it's torn down you're at their mercy, and if parts are required they will fall behind factory shops in terms of availability (which at the moment sucks for everyone). And if they can get to your car that quickly, it begs the question of why their time is so readily available. Also transmission shops have "generalists" who have to work on every/all makes/models and are not specifically trained to work on Corvettes so as Kevin said I would lean toward the dealer's expertise in this case.
Thx
I had a weak moment. I have always taken my corvettes to the dealer. Its frustrating to make an appointment early in the morning and when you get there they tell you to leave the car for 3 or 4 days.. I have a thought why not make the appointment when you can actually work on the car?. We have two dealers here in Tucson so I will check the other. It was 18 days before i could get anyone to repair my land line. It was 3 weeks for a pest control appointment. Even my gardener needed 10 days before he could do any work. The sign of the times
Aamco does have questionable reputation, the shops are franchised. Maybe there is an independent trans shop. It sounds like the car is very drivable so don't leave it anywhere. Talk with the dealer's Corvette tech personally and the shop manager.
They rebuilt the tranny in my old C5, years ago, 700R4, and it failed about a month after their warranty expired, Would not stand behind it, and I took it all the way to corporate office. Would not recommend!!
Transmission shops are very much a "buyer beware" situation, and AAMCO in particular has a relatively sordid history (at one time they were banned from Texas by the state AG), but as Bill says the quality of work at one of their shops is heavily dependent on the franchise owner. That said, the owner typically hires a shop manager who often gets paid on commission and will probably tell you whatever they think you want to hear to get the car into their shop. Once it's torn down you're at their mercy, and if parts are required they will fall behind factory shops in terms of availability (which at the moment sucks for everyone). And if they can get to your car that quickly, it begs the question of why their time is so readily available. Also transmission shops have "generalists" who have to work on every/all makes/models and are not specifically trained to work on Corvettes so as Kevin said I would lean toward the dealer's expertise in this case.
Agreed...I've heard horror stories about some AAMCO dealers...but ironically the extended family of a good friend of mine owns a local one here in Toronto, and they are very honest and professional.
If you can get references from others who have used your local one, then great...otherwise you might want to move on. Having been burned a few times over many years, I won't deal with an auto shop that someone I know & trust hasn't had an excellent experience with already.
I know a transmission guy who told me years ago that Aamco stood for All Automatics Must Come Out. I think good advice has been given to check with a Corvette Club or stick with the dealer.
The AAMCO near me went under after they found a pipe going to a grave yard from the shop. Apparently the owner was dumping his waste oil in the graveyard via the pipe.
I also live in Tucson and I do know O'Rielly on Broadway is a Corvette Signature dealer. I have not had my Corvette for service there but I would think a phone call and a road test with the Corvette tech might turn up something simple. Ask when the Corvette tech is free for a road test and try to accommodate him. I am a retired Ford Tech and had a disappointing repair attempt with the triple flush. While I was in California they only reprogrammed the PCM/TCM after I showed them the TSB outlining the Triple Flush Procedure. (under Warr.) It still didn't seem right so I put it up on the lift and could see they never performed the flush. I spent the 100 dollars + on the fluid, filter, and pan gasket and all is good. Lots of dealers use beginners for oil and fluid changes saves them money on labor costs but a specialty car like the Vette should only go to a highly trained tech. I was the only tech to touch the Ford GT supercar GT-500 or performance vehicle no matter how small the task. Hopefully O'Rielly is set up the same and you can this figure out right the first time.
I also live in Tucson and I do know O'Rielly on Broadway is a Corvette Signature dealer. I have not had my Corvette for service there but I would think a phone call and a road test with the Corvette tech might turn up something simple. Ask when the Corvette tech is free for a road test and try to accommodate him. I am a retired Ford Tech and had a disappointing repair attempt with the triple flush. While I was in California they only reprogrammed the PCM/TCM after I showed them the TSB outlining the Triple Flush Procedure. (under Warr.) It still didn't seem right so I put it up on the lift and could see they never performed the flush. I spent the 100 dollars + on the fluid, filter, and pan gasket and all is good. Lots of dealers use beginners for oil and fluid changes saves them money on labor costs but a specialty car like the Vette should only go to a highly trained tech. I was the only tech to touch the Ford GT supercar GT-500 or performance vehicle no matter how small the task. Hopefully O'Rielly is set up the same and you can this figure out right the first time.
I usually go to O'rielly They are closer than watson. I have set up another appointment for next Wed. My problem dosen't happen until I punch it at about 60. Needless to say they can't do 60 on broadway . I hope they can find the problem on the hoist.
aamco transmission
