My '89 740 Turbo Wagon (115K miles) has been leaking transmission oil through the rear seal for a while (around a year). I've been pushing this off because of the costs of repairing it. I just kept on refilling ATF as needed. The time has come to finally get this done. I've purchased the parts from FCP Groton (first item at http://www.fcpgroton.com/VolvoTranny/volvo740b230fttranny.htm). My local garage quoted me $425 in labor for the repair, at $65 an hour. It seems the entire transmission has to be liften out in order to replace this seal. Is this correct? Is the price reasonable?

Anything else I should keep in mind while doing this job?

Thanks in advance.

Replacing the rear trans seal itself is trivial..the seal is what, $25 list?, and all you have to do is unbolt the trans output drive flange from the front driveshaft (MARK/index please!), pull out the drive flange, pull out the trans seal, and tap in the new seal (I like to use an old empty can of peas or other vegetable can of the right diameter, use a board or something to take the hit on the back of the can to push in the new seal).

Chances are this will work for awhile, maybe tens of thousands of miles. But it's equally likely the problem is a worn bushing in the output section/O.drive...and that takes a special tool to yank and put in. Lots of shops charge to pull the O'drive but then do the bushing replacement in the car.

Find a dealer or a competent indie (apparently not the one you're dealing with).

You're right. I ended up calling my local Volvo shop (whom I NEVER call due to their $85/hour labor charge) and they quoted me $255 for the job.

Seems like my guy isn't as trustworthy as I thought.

Thanks again, guys.

The transmission does not have to be removed to change out the bushing and seal- only the output housing needs to come off. You are being RIPPED with that quote. Shop around. Should not be more than 2 or 2.5 hours max.

Randy

Hi Randy,

I'm confused now - I did contact another shop after reading your reply, and now both told me that in order to replace the seal and bushing they need to remove the tranny, not just the output housing. One of the two is a generally very trustworthy guy. I'm not questioning your point of view, but if you could explain to me a bit how this can be done without removing the tranny, I'd have a better understanding in confronting these guys.

Have you done the job before?

Anyone else?

Thanks.

Remove driveshaft, remove output flange, support transmission, remove crossmember, lower transmission, remove linkage, unbolt rear housing, remove old bushing and seal, install new bushing, reinstall rear housing, install seal, replace linkage, etc, etc,

Have I done the job before? I personally have done 5 of them. Trust me you are being quoted an outrageous price for this job. Run away from these guys.

Randy

If it is the rear seal it is an easy job that takes less than an hour. If the rear bushing is bad as well maybe a bit longer. However if it is the front transmission seal then obviously that would involve removal of the tranny and would take longer still.
--
David Hunter