Transaxle repair recommendation

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Hugo Karasawa
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Transaxle repair recommendation

#1 Post by Hugo Karasawa »

Can you recommend me a transaxle repair shop ?
I have heard about Ranchotransaxles in CA and Californiamotorsports in AZ.
Would you recommend any of the two ?

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Jacques Lefriant
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#2 Post by Jacques Lefriant »

both can do a better job than most but for the same cost or much less and a more nuanced job send it to a 356 transmission specialist that specializes in these. Rancho does VW and off-road and CMS does later Porsche transmissions. they don't have parts and a lot of experience in 356 transmissions.
j
 

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Jim Clement
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Tag: 1957 356 A Coupe
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#3 Post by Jim Clement »

I will add my two cents.. and a ton of grief.
You should search up Rancho Transmissions on this site..
My experience was they do not know how and cannot do a 356 transmission, they do not know how to set the backlash ..
They did mine twice, it was not correct either time, I then took it to Jack Morris in Spokane, we took it out of the car together, then he started to take it apart, it was very evident that they disassembled, and reassembled it many times, trying to get it correct, using an air impact gun. None of the expensive internal bearings were replaced, and the outer bearings were "offshore" brand. It did not hold oil.
The first time they did it, it was assembled with a bent axel, the second time, it leaked like a sieve, no third times a charm. I sent it elsewhere.
They did refund my money in full after I sent them the pictures..
There is much more to the story.. This is the short version.
 

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Jim Clement
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#4 Post by Jim Clement »

356 Enterprises, Vic Skirmants
Jack Morris in Spokane
 

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John Clarke
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#5 Post by John Clarke »

Hi Hugo. Pack it off to Vic Skirmants. He must be busy?
Regards Jay
 

Hugo Karasawa
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#6 Post by Hugo Karasawa »

Thanks to all,for the answers and emails. I will contact the recommended experts in 356 transaxle repair and stay away from Rancho and CMS.

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Martin Benade
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#7 Post by Martin Benade »

From what I’ve heard I’d stay away from Rancho, but surprisingly, CJ has used them apparently without trouble.
Cleveland Ohio
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Alfred Knittel
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#8 Post by Alfred Knittel »

Jim is more then right ,seen his transmission at Jack,s And the impact damage. Send once to the right people and only pay once. As always the good ones are busy, good luck
1954 coup
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1970 240z first year
1971 240z

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Ron LaDow
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#9 Post by Ron LaDow »

Eric knows his way around transaxles (and engines):
https://www.willswerks.com/
Ron LaDow
www.precisionmatters.biz

Chuck Allard
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#10 Post by Chuck Allard »

+1 on Willswerks

Richard Leonetti
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#11 Post by Richard Leonetti »

We send all of our transaxles to Eric @ Willswerks

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Ron LaDow
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#12 Post by Ron LaDow »

I'm reminded of the Bay Area denizen (who shall go un-named - he got me with a set of "good used P-Cs", but only once).
Maybe his past caught up with him, since we no longer get whines on the list about how the whiner had gone to "X" ('cause he was cheaper than The Stable!') and now wanted sympathy and assistance when the whiner got exactly what they paid for. Or perhaps not even that.
Gonna bet Vic, Jacques nor Eric is gonna give you a quote over the phone; they all know what they're doing, and every one of them will give you a properly reboped gearbox. There are others (where's Bill Perrone's F-1 wrench go?)
I know a guy down he street... (whom your really don't wanna know)... he can fix you right up!
(added by edit)
Mentioned above: Jack Morris. Pre Mat customer but no reason to assume he's less knowledgeable regarding transaxles than engines than Vic, Eric or Jacques
Ron LaDow
www.precisionmatters.biz

Jon Bunin
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#13 Post by Jon Bunin »

Ron LaDow wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2023 11:53 pmThere are others (where's Bill Perrone's F-1 wrench go?)
Ron, for the most part he's now happily retired and only taking on a few special projects.
Jon Bunin

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Ron LaDow
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#14 Post by Ron LaDow »

Jon Bunin wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 12:39 am
Ron LaDow wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2023 11:53 pmThere are others (where's Bill Perrone's F-1 wrench go?)
Ron, for the most part he's now happily retired and only taking on a few special projects.
Jon,
Happy to hear from you and read that; you deserve nothing other! Good times at the races. (added by edit) You know how to contact me; Pre Mat is doing fine.
Ron LaDow
www.precisionmatters.biz

Jon Bunin
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Re: Transaxle repair recommendation

#15 Post by Jon Bunin »

Thanks Ron.

Yes, we had some good times with those things. It's hard to believe that was all 25 to 35 years ago.
I'm glad to hear you're doing well.
Jon Bunin

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