01 XC-70 Transmission Replacement AGAIN

northrancher · Post by **northrancher** » 25 Oct 2014, 23:23

You guys have all been so helpful--thank you. The independent shop (great reviews) are telling me they can do a brand new 02 (not 01) transmission, with a 2-year warranty, installed for about $4,000. (Labor on installation is $1,000.) I'm assuming this is the best deal out there and I have no other options (rebuilding the one I already have???) other than to sell the car for under $1,000. If I could get the tranny rebuilt for about 2K, that would be great.

If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

Post by **abscate** » 26 Oct 2014, 05:07

Given you like the car and want to take it to 250k ( another 70k miles) a 7k total budget for repairs for that 70k is reasonable. The engine will be fine, you might need 2k in suspension over the years, even the 4k for the new trans route fits in that budget.

5 years of no car payments is a great thing. I say fix it and smile.

Can someone here recommend a trans rebuilder in Rocky Mountain area??

Post by **matthew1** » 26 Oct 2014, 12:24

None. I don't have any experience with this anywhere, and Brett Borders says no Denver area shops do this well.

Post by **precopster** » 26 Oct 2014, 13:57

Hiram Gutierrez from Houston runs a shop that specialises in transmission rebuilds.

He knows the AW55-50SNs extremely well and has posted multiple videos on You Tube. Not exactly in Denver though.

northrancher · Post by **northrancher** » 26 Oct 2014, 21:15

matthew1 wrote:None. I don't have any experience with this anywhere, and Brett Borders says no Denver area shops do this well.

Matt, is Brett at another shop in Denver? Reviews say he left Volvo Specialists.
And, are you saying no one does a good job at Volvo "rebuilds" in Denver? Thanks for the help!

northrancher · Post by **northrancher** » 26 Oct 2014, 21:23

abscate wrote:Given you like the car and want to take it to 250k ( another 70k miles) a 7k total budget for repairs for that 70k is reasonable. The engine will be fine, you might need 2k in suspension over the years, even the 4k for the new trans route fits in that budget.

5 years of no car payments is a great thing. I say fix it and smile.

Can someone here recommend a trans rebuilder in Rocky Mountain area??

Thank you so very much. I appreciate your advice on how to move forward, because I've been at a stalemate not knowing what to do. The way you put it into perspective--70k miles/7k cost--makes sense. And, we actually replaced the Turbo engine on this car in 07 too, so it should last as long as the new transmission. One would hope

Sounds like getting a rebuild won't be do-able in Denver. Do you think putting an 02 tranny in is a good move? Did Volvo fix the problems from 01 in the 02? Just want to be sure I'm signing up for the right year.

Post by **precopster** » 27 Oct 2014, 01:07

I'd be concerned if this were an ORIGINAL Volvo transmission from a recycler however this rebuild by Volvo will have received the modifications that prevent excessive wear.

The 2003 and 2004 transmissions weren't that different from earlier ones. They had revised bushings in the solenoids and a new B4 cover design all of which will be implemented in a rebuilt transmission.

northrancher · Post by **northrancher** » 27 Oct 2014, 11:19

I had the Volvo towed from the dealer to the independent shop this morning. Waiting for an estimate on installing an 02 transmission. I was told Volvo did correct the 01 tranny issues in the 02 model. One caveat--I was told since my Volvo is one of the early 01's based on the VIN, that an 02 might not work, but they are researching it now.

Post by **precopster** » 27 Oct 2014, 13:03

I own both an '01 XC70 and an '02 XC70. Both had transmission issues. The '01 transmission is still on the bench.

The '02 made it to 292,000kms before a chronic failure of 3rd gear which I repaired myself.

The chassis number of donor vehicle should be researched on Vida (Volvo'sparts lookup database) to ensure same valve body is used. In our case the valve body (transmission control unit which is attached to front of transmission) was the same part number.

I used an 01 valve body in an 02 transmission with no issues however I must stress don't try another year unless compatability has already been checked with Vida.

northrancher · Post by **northrancher** » 27 Oct 2014, 15:49

Thank you for that really helpful info, precopster--I'll make sure the shop crosschecks with Vida.

What I'm hearing as of now is the transmission might be salvageable.

The tranny fluid is burnt and a software upgrade wasn't done on the car at $180k, so the shop thinks if they flush the fluid & do the upgrade, it might be OK. No other codes came up. The radiator is OK & no sign of coolant leakage. Fingers crossed.

I'm so impressed with the shop & how honest & dedicated they are, compared to the dealer, especially. Had they done the upgrade & flushed the transmission at 50,000 miles, I might not be in this position now.I'm hoping they can get the car back on the road again.