There are times that I am glad I do all my own mechanical work, this is one of them.

I posted a few weeks back that a friend of mine had brought his 91 245 M-47 five speed to a shop because it was difficult to get the car into first and second gear. Shop said syncros were shot, quoted $3000 for repair: $2000 for rebuilt transmission, $1000 to put it in with new clutch. I asked if they just blew the diagnosis, or were being a bit dishonest.

I drove the car, discovered that the shift gate was getting in the way of getting the car into first and second. This was due to the bushings on the end of the shift lever being worn. I adjusted the gate and gave my friend two bushings that I had in my toolbox leftover from when I had a 245. With the gate adjusted a bit to the left, it went into first and second smooth as pie.

Long story short: My friend decides not to do the bushings himself, goes back to the SAME garage (don't ask, just don't ask....) and get this: They refuse to install the bushings, they stand by their original diagnosis. $3000 please. Even though there was no problem getting the car into gear, and the only problem was that the shift lever was kinda wobbly.

Being the nice guy I am, ( I wish I had a friend like me!) I had my friend come over on Saturday and helped him put in the new bushings. Shift Lever is less wobbly (although still some wobble in it). I also made him promise never, never,never to go back to the place.

-David