Trans. Shop VS. Dealership for flush

Experiences, pro-cons, advice........

Local dealership quoted me $285 to flush my trans. Said it would take a whole day due to getting the fluid the right temp after dropping it off. Also, sure they would use recommended toyota fluid.

Trans shop across the street quoted me $140 for the flush and $140 to replace my extension housing seal (new double lipped seal). Not sure about the method or fluid they would use. So for $280 I can get the seal replaced and a flush for less than the dealership. I did not even ask the dealership about a cost to replace the seal. But as the saying goes "you get what you pay for". Would love to save some $ but don't want any problems with my trans.

 

The dealership wouldn't flush your trans to begin with. That's just a term used to say they are gonna drain and fill it. You can do it yourself, it's not as hard as everyone makes it out to be. Rule of thumb, what comes out, must go back in. The only difference is that instead of a dip stick, our trucks have an overflow plug. There is a thread in the 2nd gen DIY that explains the process, it's not that complicated. Why do you need to replace the shaft seal? Is it leaking?

 

Yep. Small leak from the seal. Nothing major, just small drip on the extension housing.

 

Have you tried retorquing the bolts to see if that will stop the leak?

 

Have not tried to retorque the bolts but I will check that. Researched a little on here and others had the same problem. Toyota replaced the single lipped seal with a new double lipped seal. Figured that the lift, new drive shaft angles, and older seal more than likely caused the leak.

 

In my local area, when any of the dealerships, no matter the brand, have a real problem with a automatic transmission, they send the vehicle to a transmission shop.

I suggest going with the transmission shop.