Ok, you can take or leave this review as you wish, but this is a true story.
I took my late 90's suburban (4L60-E) to Mel's for a transmission overhaul in November of 2009. I went there on the recommendation of a local auto parts guy. I know, dumb idea, but I had absolutely NO idea who to ask back then. Anyway, I was quoted a price of $1800, as I recall it, for a tranny rebuild.
Not knowing where else to turn, I took the suburban in. The wait was not outrageous, and it was clear that they had other projects ahead of mine. I think after about 4-5 days, they called me and said that the manufacturer recommended a special wiring harness be installed. He said that the part was covered by the manufacturer, but that it would cost me $40 extra to install it. Again, knowing no better and kind of at their mercy, I agreed to the extra "work" and fee.
After the work was completed, I picked up my suburban ($1900 lighter) and drove it home without incident. The work was warrantied against failure for 3 years or 36,000 (to my memory).
In their defense, the repairs lasted 37,000 miles; just past the warrantied timeline. Then, clunk; the tranny went out again! This time, I was out of town by about 160 miles. Luckily, it happened near a family friend who is also a transmission specialist (with a 30-year business). I took it to him to have the tranny rebuilt again.
He called me a day later, mad as a hornet. I couldn't immediately understand why he was so upset, as he is usually level-headed and fairly subdued. Then he told me what it was that made him so mad. Whoever had worked on my transmission last, he said, did as slip-shod a job of it as he had ever seen! All of the grounding cables were missing (not re-installed), several bolts were either not properly tightened, had fallen out, or had never been reinstalled to begin with, and the worst thing... instead of properly repairing the valve body (which requires re-boring valve seats for proper fit of replacement TCC regulator valve), the previous technician had installed a $0.29 replacement spring and just called it good. Apparently, this little scam is a common technique among the more dishonest technicians. In short, said our friend, he is not sure that Mel's actually rebuilt ANYTHING.
Now, I have simmered down over the years and kind of gotten over the issue and moved on. I cannot PROVE anything; of course. No one can. But if this can help any of you out there in a desperate place like I was, then I will be happy. I would not trust Mel's to touch my car ever again! read more
