TheSamba.com :: View topic - Freeway Flier

Thu Nov 20, 2003 12:30 pm

So I'm out $1,600 for everything but the new higher gear totally is great. At 65mph the engine is as quiet as 30mph. Pushing in the clutch takes the strength of Charles Atlas but I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Thu Nov 20, 2003 12:53 pm

What brand of clutch and pressure plate went in?

Thu Nov 20, 2003 12:59 pm

[Clearing throat] $1600, is that high end I hope?

Thu Nov 20, 2003 2:23 pm

llamas1 wrote: [Clearing throat] $1600, is that high end I hope?

For sure.

Thu Nov 20, 2003 2:36 pm

Gotta be a Rancho or something...
If you wannt play, you gotta pay... :lol:

Thu Nov 20, 2003 2:37 pm

German Transaxles of America rebuilt it. $1,300 for the tranny + $200 for the Freeway Flier gear. I called all over and this quote was on the low end.

Clutch? Not sure, I was too tired to ask.

Sat Nov 22, 2003 12:19 am

Low end? Yipes. My '69 goes in Monday for a complete trans overhaul, clutch, pressure plate, <both Sachs>, t/o bearing and seals. Total parts and labor est: $875.

Sat Nov 22, 2003 2:36 am

Larry, too bad you dont live around here... I'd help you get that engine out lickity split and save you about $700+ dollars. I dont know how much the seals are but the other stuff is pretty cheap. I used all Sachs componants and I think it was about $130 W/O seals. Which ones do they replace?

Sat Nov 22, 2003 12:35 pm

Thanks for the offer. Out of the $850, $425 was sublet (to ITS in El Cajon) for the tranny. The balance ($425) was for the labor and included $180 for the clutch parts. I know I could save a bunch, but I am just to old, weak, wimpy, and bleed too much to do these major jobs. Besides, if the shop screws it up they get to do it again.

Chab, it could be that rent, labor, etc. are a whole lot more expensive up there than here in SoCal.

Sat Nov 22, 2003 12:37 pm

Sorry - the seal they will replace is the front main. A cheap and easy item if you have the engine out for the job.

Sat Nov 22, 2003 1:49 pm

got cha. It definatly is work to pull that sucker. but after doing it you feel pretty good. Kinda like moveing a refridgerator.

Tue Dec 02, 2003 8:41 pm

Not trying to post-whore on this earlier thread, but I picked up my bus today. The earlier estimate of $425 for the trans works did not survive the inital review. Basically everything was gone except for the R&P. The trans part was $725. The entire job with clutch, pressure plate and labor was $1245. The taller fwy flier gear would have been $200 more so I passed. This price of this job was already causing dissention in household.

Tue Dec 02, 2003 9:17 pm

People at work were like: "You're spending HOW MUCH on that old car of yours?"

I just say: "Well over the next 40 years it's practically nothing!" That leaves them dumbfounded.

Glad you got your Bus back. And it's cheaper than a used car and you know it's good quality.

Wed Dec 03, 2003 10:08 am

I've been very disappointed with my freeway flyer- I cant tell a difference at all... maybe its not really in there.... It was around 800 exchange I think.

Wed Dec 03, 2003 11:28 am

Can't tell the difference? Was it an honest builder?

Wed Dec 03, 2003 12:31 pm

OB Bus wrote: Not trying to post-whore on this earlier thread, but I picked up my bus today. The earlier estimate of $425 for the trans works did not survive the inital review. Basically everything was gone except for the R&P. The trans part was $725. The entire job with clutch, pressure plate and labor was $1245. The taller fwy flier gear would have been $200 more so I passed. This price of this job was already causing dissention in household.

That still isn't too bad for a trans. Pat did mine and I am pleased with it and would make the 14hour roundtrip again should I ever need another trans.

Sean

Thu Dec 04, 2003 10:45 am

Chabanais, what year is your bus? Does it have a 091 trans? What new parts were installed in it? new 1st and 2nd gear set?, new 3rd and 4th gear? Were any of the gear hubs welded? Super diff? New ring and pinion? I am trying figure out why the bill was $1600. Not that $1600 is alot for a good tranny, it just seems like alot if it only has a new taller forth gear. I guess what I am trying to understand is are they charging you for the name "freeway flyer" or did they do other improvements.

Thu Dec 04, 2003 11:43 am

I was a rebuilt transmission from German Transaxles of America in Oregon. 2 year, 24,000 warranty. Everything was replaced. The $1,600 included installation as well as a new clutch. Taller fourth gear was an additional $200. As far as I know the hubs were not welded.

Thu Dec 04, 2003 3:44 pm

What's the ratio of the 4th gear now?

Thu Dec 04, 2003 3:55 pm

Oh, it included installation. Hell, that seems like a good deal! I thought you were talking about just the trans itself. What year is your bus? but no matter if it has a 002 or 091 you should never have to do anything else to the trans for a very, very long time.