Pricing for rebuilding an 850 n/a trans

Post by **phat78ta** » 12 Apr 2010, 15:08

Ok, so after much cussing and fluid changing, parts swapping and questions from the wife, I took my 93 850 in to the local volvo guy. He has told me that the trans is probably shot, and will need rebuilt or replaced (He hasn't torn into it yet, he just has said that is a common problem for these transmissions).
I'm just looking to get some figures from those of you that have had a rebuild/replacement done. I just want to be prepared for the figure when he calls me. Thanks.

Post by **JDS60R** » 12 Apr 2010, 15:36

Depends on who you know and if you can take it out.

If you know someone in the business then a cash deal would be about $1200. This is for a professional rebuild. If you have fractured a main shaft or other parts it can be more.

Post by **wheelsup** » 12 Apr 2010, 16:08

What do they replace when they rebuild it? My transmission doesn't slip but it drops out of gear when coming to a stop when hot. I believe there is a solenoid that controls the pressure and that is what is failing. However you cannot replace that solenoid or even purchase it (I've looked at several AW shops).

A rebuild kit online comes with just bands and seals. I assume it's like a clutch where you are just sprucing up the friction surfaces. You can replace (buy) the shift solenoids and the lock up solenoid but not the pressure solenoid.

One thing I've looked at doing is buying an AW50-42LE from a Daewoo Leganza 99-03 or something w/ 40k on it and replacing the parts. But this would mean gambling $400 (or so) that the solenoids are interchangeable. I believe they are but it would still be a gamble.

I wonder how hard it would be to rebuild one yourself?

Post by **phat78ta** » 13 Apr 2010, 15:26

Im looking for ACTUAL PRICES people have paid for this.
I got the car for $1000, and need to know if it will be worth it to fix. the car only has 141,000 on it and runs great. no rust, and I just put $700 in to it for tires, rear brakes, shocks and shock mounts.

Post by **wheelsup** » 13 Apr 2010, 18:36

Place around me wanted almost $3k for a rebuilt one that included install.

Post by **phat78ta** » 14 Apr 2010, 19:24

Ouch. That constitutes rape round here.

Post by **JDS60R** » 14 Apr 2010, 20:06

Figure $2000 to $3000 depending on what you need. If you purchased the car for $1000 just put a guaranteed used trans in it . They sell for about $600 and to put it in shoudl cost you $250 to $300. You will have to find an independent mechanic to do this.

The salvage yards I use usually have a guy they know who does it. Last one cost $650 and was $300 to put in. It had only 40K miles on it but the trans fluid was clean .

Start with www.car-parts.com

Post by **phat78ta** » 14 Apr 2010, 20:24

Yeah, I'm thinking about that. The shop its at now says they have a used on there, but he didn't say how much to put it in my car. I'm still waiting to hear what the verdict is on the actual issue. Still hoping it's something simple.......

Post by **asg1986** » 19 Apr 2010, 09:46

I would expect to pay around $3,000-- this is what my mechanic said it would cost for him to do it. They say it is 10 hours of labor, and then you have to pay for the used (but warrantied) transmission. I couldn't afford it, so I did this job myself last summer. What takes them 10 hours too me about 70 hours, but I think I could do it again much faster. You have a good wrench set, a torque ratchet, someway of lifting the car and engine (I used chains and a 2 by 4 for the engine) and jacks set up on wood for the car, and you also need some torque sockets (the star ones). I purchased the transmission for $100 at the local pick n' pull. It is a long, messy job, but definitely worth it if you can't afford for someone else to do it! Also, it is very satisfying when it starts up and works!

Oh, and I think that you can probably get those solenoids that you're talking about from a local junk yard. If I'm right, they are inside the black housing on the transmission towards the front of the car. This is bolted to the transmission using torque bolts. This may be a solution to your problem!

AG