Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Transmission Question

I've decided to go ahead and have the Transmission rebuilt on my 98 Contour SE (the second time in the past 10,000 miles...although I didn't have the car for the first time). I've done a bit of research for what I need and I found this site http://www.technicalvideos.com/rebuild_kits/ford.phtml which Is where I plan on buying the kit from. I told my mechanic not to buy the parts(I wanted to do it and save money beause he quoted me almost 500 dollars for all the parts) He also told me I need a new vehicle speed sensor. I cannot find that part online. Can anyone please point me in the right direction.

So for all the parts I needed I've averaged it to be around 250 dollars. So how in the hell does the total cost of the labor mark this up to $2000? Should it really be that high just for the rebuild even though I'm giving him all the parts he needs? I plan on talking to the mechanic in the next few days I would really like some input from a few of you guys as to whether this is a fair price or not...any help will do because I don't wanna be screwed.

~darp~

I didn't see the CD4E listed on that site. Maybe they have a rebuild kit for it somewhere else, but it's not listed on the page you linked to.

As for the sensor, if you can't find it online, just go buy your local dealer and get one. There's only one style, so don't worry about them giving you the wrong one.

As for the labor mark-up. I agree, that is unreal! If he wont come off the price, I would take it somewhere else. That is highway robbery.

Also, why are you having to pay to have it rebuilt within 10K. I thought most places gave a 12 month 12K mile warrenty for parts and labor.

I hmmm...I must have the wrong transmission number I'll have to check on that...thanks.

I wanted to avoid going to a stealership where they can double charge me for the VSS but I guess I have to.

Yeah the labor markup is outrageous. I'll probably take it to Gene Brown.

As for the transmission being rebuilt again It because when I bought the car(in August of Last Year) it had 3 months left on the warranty. Whomever did the transmission work before gave the warranty on 1 Year 20,000 miles. When I first had the problem it was already past the 1 year mark so the warranty was void. Also I don't drive the Contour too often(its my cruise car) so since I've had it I maybe put 6,000 miles on it. So basically the warranty just expired...most of it while sitting at the carlot collecting dust.

~darp~
[EDIT] Ok I found this transmission this should fit the car right.

I wanted to avoid going to a stealership where they can double charge me for the VSS but I guess I have to.

Call the parts guys at Signature Lincoln-Mercury and buy it for the CEG price. Here is the contact info from the CEG website:

Sentry Auto Group
https://www.sentrycars.com/Service/service.htm
Although Bill Jenkins has left, and Joe and Terry have as well, they continue to provide the same discounts at the Sentry South L-M dealership. Give them a call at 1-800-282-2290 or email them at parts@sentryautogroup.com.

Signature Lincoln Mercury (Bill Jenkins)
http://www.signaturelm.com/
Bill Jenkins has been giving CEG members great deals for quite some time now. You can get quotes by sending email to parts@signaturelm.com or call 1-800-876-3280. Bill moved to this new dealership in June 2002 from Sentry Auto Group in Boston.

No, He Quoted me $2,400 with him buying the parts and doing the labor. I then decided to buy the parts myself. Because he has it extremely overpriced. I'm no mechanic at all but I figure that if I was given all the parts and all I had to do is put them on(which he said would take a few hours) theres no way in hell that I should be paying $1,800(which is what he wants to charge me now) sorry but I think he's full of it.
~darp~

Anybody buying parts for technitians doing the labor must consider the guaranty-waarranty. The technitian only warrants his labor. You know, if some parts fail, he is in his right to charge again for labor.
My advice: with the price of parts in your hand you're in a better position to bargain around. Let the tech. evaluate the damages, quote for repairs and put on paper his guaranty. Good luck...