I just had a 64 Valiant wagon in the shop for a non-shifting transmission. They found the torque converter had disintegrated. Luckily, the work was covered under the warranty provided when that shop rebuilt the transmission a while back.
The car was doing fine for a few miles, but now when I come to a stop, it feels and sounds like the car is being rear-ended by another vehicle. I'm talking about a BIG crashing noise and strong shock going through the whole car, seemingly from the rear.

This could be something caused by the mechanics, or it could be something entirely new. I don't want to take it back to that shop sincethey took over a month to complete the work, and I don't think that's very cool.

Any ideas about what this could be and how I can check it out?

It sounds like a torque converter that has a bad over riding clutch. (also called a sprag)

I would take it back to the shop ASAP and see what they say about the problem.
DD

I feel your pain, but back it goes.

Confrontations can be difficult, but you've paid your money and they should have done it right the first time.

Perhaps offer to pay the difference between the cheap parts and ones that will work. (if you really want to be easy on them)

_________________
1980 Aspen 225 super six

I know what you mean, and normally this would be a no-brainer. But it's a bit more complicated than that. I'll explain and feel free to tell me what you think about the situation...

The transmission overhaul was paid for by the previous owner of the car. About a year later, one of the trans oil pumps failed and they took it in and fixed it under warranty. I bought the car about 2 years after the rebuild, and it was working fine until I got it halfway home. The previous owner has been very helpful in dealing with the shop, and they agreed to take it back and do the work under warranty, even though the warranty period has actually expired, due to this guy's longstanding relationship with the shop.

At this point, given this would be the third return on this rebuild in two years, I'm not terribly confident that they will do a good job. And since it just took them a month to do the work this last time, I don't figure I'd see the car anytime soon, as they obviously don't give it any priority.

Being that I'm not yet out any money, and I have little faith in this shop, I'm tempted to take it elsewhere. I don't mind confrontation, but I'd like to stop this seemingly endless cycle of returns to the shop.

So whatcha think...would you take it back to the same place?

My suggestion is to still try. Spell out your position.

I'm:
Happy that you are trying
Not willing to part with my car for another month.
Not interested in any more unreliable repairs.
Willing to pay to have it corrected in a timely fashion.

See what reaction you get. If they are friendly and symathetic you may change your mind. You can hope for them to make a counter offer based on your conversation.

Get:
A price to campare if you want to get a second quote.
A reason if possible for why it's being so troublesome. (these transmissions are typically very reliable)
Ask how quickly paid repairs will be made.
Get any promises on paper!!!!!!!

Then thank them for their time and go get a second opinion. I always tell them I have to check with the boss first, my wife! We laugh and I get a day to think about it.

It's worth a try if you are still on good ground with the shop and shouldn't take very much of your time. Let us know how it goes.

_________________
1980 Aspen 225 super six

Ok, she's now being towed back to the shop where they want to give her a road test. We'll see how it goes.

I'm curious about something...
Would replacement of the fluid pumps normally be part of a trans rebuild?
How about replacement of the torque converter?

Neither of those things was done during the initial rebuild, and I don't know if I should think about that.

Yes, replacing thr torque converter is a standard practice. Most shops that I have dealt with will insist on doing this. That torque converter can hold a lot of contaminated oil and ruin a rebuild. The front pump should have been disassembled and rebuilt or outright replaced. I wonder what type of "rebuild" was actually done...

This situation has now been resolved.

I took the car back to the shop and they road tested it. The report came back that the rear brakes were locking up...wheel cylinders not retracting properly due to overextension caused by highly worn brake shoes, or so they thought. They claimed visual verification on one side, and an inability to get the drum off the other side without breaking something.

So I towed the car back home and cracked open them rear brakes. The "unremovable" drum came off easily when I turned the adjusting star a few times. Indeed the shoes were in terrible condition. I've seen tracing paper thicker than the brake lining material...and the local fault lines (I live in earthquake country) have smaller cracks than the ones on those brakes. However, the bright shiny glare coming off of the highly polished brake shoe rivets would impress any mirror manufacturer.

I opted for a full 4-wheel overhaul of the 9 inch variety. New shoes, wheel cylinders, hardware, drums, lug studs, and lug nuts all the way around, plus front brake hoses. Now she's all back together, been bled, and drives, shifts, and stops without any aparant problems.

Life is better now.