Bad Service = Cottman Transmisson

[Cj7Jeep76]

STAY AWAY FROM COTTMAN
I got stuck when my clutch pedal would not go in. I was close to cottman so I had them look at it. They pressured me in to getting a new clutch. After it was all said and done I had asked for the old clutch and they gave it to me.. I took a co-worker with me and looked at the old one... we went to Pep-boys to see how thick a new one is... and the new one was less that .02 of a inch thicker than the old one..NOT wore out. they told me the whole time that the old one was 1/2-3/4 wore out. After we went have to confrunt them about it. they told us that "when they see anything lifted with big tires they know the clutch is back.. or anything with 80,000+ miles" (mine has 81,500) How can you tell if the clutch is bad just by how a car looks? They also said that the throw out bearing was twisted and the fork was not engaging it. well they say that they NEVER do just one part of a clutch job. thats all they said. they would not talk about the clutch not being wore out. I jsut want everyone to hear what I went threw and think the place is on the take and will screw over anyone when they get you in the door. They got me for $721...$190 for parts (clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing) and the rest for labor and misc.

[SavageSun4x4]

STAY AWAY FROM COTTMAN
1) we went to Pep-boys to see how thick a new one is... and the new one was less that .02 of a inch thicker than the old one..NOT wore out.

2) "when they see anything lifted with big tires they know the clutch is back.. or anything with 80,000+ miles" (mine has 81,500) How can you tell if the clutch is bad just by how a car looks?
1) Cottman sells the clutches they take out to Pep Boys who shows them to people to compare to the Cottoman clutches.

2) Most people have to replace the clutch as soon as the put a lift kit on.
a) Buddy of a friend who knows his uncle told him that on his Jeep as soon as the speedo rolled over 80k miles the clutch went out that very day.
b) I saw a car going down the road yesterday and I turned to my wife and said "the clutch is bad in that car". When the light turned green we drove about 100 yards down the road and sure 'nuff there was the guy sittin there on the side of the road. I pulled over and asked him what was wrong? He told me he had just rolled over 80k miles and was on his way to get a lift kit put on and his clutch had just gone out.:D :D :D

Sorry to hear of your misfortune:(

[SHNIPE]

damn Don, youre on a roll today!

Sucks that you got shafted. i got my clutch from Dial a clutch online (luk Gold) for $108 for everything SHIPPED! I had a friend (thanks Richard) put it in for me so i guess i got lucky there.

[Spongebob]

I have had bad experiences in the past with Cottman. I will never go there again. Basically, we had a tranny built for a heavy duty flatbed truck and equipment trailer. When we installed the tranny the truck would pull the trailer but wouldn't back it up. When we talked to the mechanic at Cottman, he said that because we didn't specify that the truck would ever need to backup the trailer, he only built it to pull and not push so to speak. After a lot of name calling and shouting, they eventually fixed the problem, but they lost our business forever.

[John_P]

...he said that because we didn't specify that the truck would ever need to backup the trailer, he only built it to pull and not push...

That has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever read.

[SavageSun4x4]

because we didn't specify that the truck would ever need to backup the trailer, he only built it to pull and not push so to speak.
Well, guess I got to side with Cottman on this one, I mean come on, you think you can just drop the truck off, pick it up a couple of days later and everything is just the way YOU want it. Give me a break. With your thinking, I guess you walk into the local Whopper Buger sit down at a table and expect a Double Whopper with cheese, hold the pickles, large fries-no salt and a medium coke-hold the ice and a $1.38 in change to just show up in front of you.:D

[mingoglia]

It sounds like you've either forgot your medication or taken too much (again) Don. :)

[Antman]

Don't you guys remember? This is illogical Wednesday. :rolleyes:

[RandyT]

I went into a Cottman to get an estimate on car I used to have. They were such D!cks right from the start I knew it would be a mistake to have them do anything. Does'nt surprise me! Sorry about you hassle.

[desertfabmotors]

Question, You say the clutch pedal would not go in? Does this mean you could not push in the pedal or you pushed in the pedal and it did nothing.

The reason I ask is the clutch disk could have no wear but there could be a problem with the pressure plate, or slave cyl.

[Cj7Jeep76]

Thats the thing the clutch still had all the groves on it. And no it did not have tons of wear. They told me that the wat they do it is they change everything not just one part. So if it was just the pressure plate.. they would change the everything in the assembly

[Spongebob]

Well, guess I got to side with Cottman on this one, I mean come on, you think you can just drop the truck off, pick it up a couple of days later and everything is just the way YOU want it. Give me a break. With your thinking, I guess you walk into the local Whopper Buger sit down at a table and expect a Double Whopper with cheese, hold the pickles, large fries-no salt and a medium coke-hold the ice and a $1.38 in change to just show up in front of you.:D


But I like salt! :D :D :D What are you doin' to me Don???? Now I am all confused.

[desertfabmotors]

Thats the thing the clutch still had all the groves on it. And no it did not have tons of wear. They told me that the wat they do it is they change everything not just one part. So if it was just the pressure plate.. they would change the everything in the assembly

If the pressure plate was bad, Yes I would put a clutch kit in & resurface the flywheel.

Lets say I only replaced the pressure plate, put It all back together and now there is chatter or a week later the disk or release bearing goes bad. Now you come back complaining and I would probally eat the labor to tear it all out again and put new parts in again.

It is alot of work to pull out trans and install, why would you risk doing it twice. $700 is not that out of line for a clutch job.

Most shops are $75 - $90 / Hr and book rate is probally 4 -6 hrs labor
$200 is not out of line for a clutch kit. Plus Tax ect..

Sure you can go on line and find parts cheaper but shops do not shop online:D

Is your jeep fixed now and working good. If so why do you bad mouth a business for repairing your rig the proper way.

I know when it comes to clutch jobs I would not only replace a disk or pressure plate and not turn flywheel.

[SavageSun4x4]

If the pressure plate was bad, Yes I would put a clutch kit in & resurface the flywheel.

Lets say I only replaced the pressure plate, put It all back together and now there is chatter or a week later the disk or release bearing goes bad. Now you come back complaining and I would probally eat the labor to tear it all out again and put new parts in again.

It is alot of work to pull out trans and install, why would you risk doing it twice. $700 is not that out of line for a clutch job.

Most shops are $75 - $90 / Hr and book rate is probally 4 -6 hrs labor
$200 is not out of line for a clutch kit. Plus Tax ect..

Sure you can go on line and find parts cheaper but shops do not shop online:D

Is your jeep fixed now and working good. If so why do you bad mouth a business for repairing your rig the proper way.

I know when it comes to clutch jobs I would not only replace a disk or pressure plate and not turn flywheel.
Todd gives some sage insight.

Having driven sticks all of my life I have replaced a clutch or two. And, I would tell anyone that only replacing one of the components of the clutch-pressure plate-throw out bearing combo is at best a false economy and at worst will cause you to repeat the job as soon as 24 hours later.

While inside a tight eye upon the flywheel surface and the TEETH might also lead to a resurface with a bit-o-sandpaper at best and and new flywheel at the worst.

While there do not forget your clutch actuation mechanism.

When all is said and done you can spend more money that anticipated, but I can assure you its monies well spent.

A good quality clutch setup should be good for about 75k miles before a component begins to fail. If one fails then you can be sure the rest are not far behind.

Not exactly sure about the architecture of your clutch clutch actuation mechanism, whether it is completely mechanical or has a hydraulic interface. You said your clutch would not go in! Then my first question is, what did Cottman do to fix that problem? That might have been a $0.50 cent fix and the clutch pedal working or not working is NOT always a indicator of whether or not your clutch assembly is good, bad or properly working.

I have repaired MANY clutches, mostly mechanical linkage that the cotter pin simply wore thru and dropped out, allowing the linkage to hang on the firewall or side of the trans. A new cotter pin solved the issue....

Could Cottman have sold you a new clutch assembly, installed when a cotter pin would have sufficed...Maybe?

I will say that if they did do a clutch job and did not sell you a new throw-out bearing and pressure plate assembly then they failed to do a complete job and are expecting you back soon...

[Cj7Jeep76]

I see what your point is. But I can say now that I know what it take to change a clutch I'll be doing them myself now.. Its a hydralic clutch. What they did was replace the clutch assembly. They said the throw out bearing twisted and the fork was not engaging it.

[cw50must]

I had a very bad experience with them in the past, will never go back, and never recommend them to anyone.

[SavageSun4x4]

I see what your point is. But I can say now that I know what it take to change a clutch I'll be doing them myself now.. Its a hydralic clutch. What they did was replace the clutch assembly. They said the throw out bearing twisted and the fork was not engaging it.
Based upon that I will cast a vote that sez Cottman appeared to have done you a proper job.

If you have 80k on the clutch setup and you pulled into my shop, with the issue you have presented, I would certainly suggest a new clutch assembly.

It might be that Cottman did not do a very good job of explaining why.

[FlexyXJ]

I agree fully here. You want a good quality job done, the proper way is to replace the ENTIRE clutch assembly. I, as with Todd, would have done it no other way. WE are the ones responsible in the end for the customer being happy with the job WE do. WE know what it takes to do it right. True, you could have got the clutch online, taken it to a shop, and had them install it, but do you bring your own steak to Black Angus, then complain when its not a tender as you would have liked?? Or do you just go to Black Angus and order the steak on the menu, and if its not to your likeing, then tell them about it???? Come on, be realistic about it.


Joe



If the pressure plate was bad, Yes I would put a clutch kit in & resurface the flywheel.

Lets say I only replaced the pressure plate, put It all back together and now there is chatter or a week later the disk or release bearing goes bad. Now you come back complaining and I would probally eat the labor to tear it all out again and put new parts in again.

It is alot of work to pull out trans and install, why would you risk doing it twice. $700 is not that out of line for a clutch job.

Most shops are $75 - $90 / Hr and book rate is probally 4 -6 hrs labor
$200 is not out of line for a clutch kit. Plus Tax ect..

Sure you can go on line and find parts cheaper but shops do not shop online:D

Is your jeep fixed now and working good. If so why do you bad mouth a business for repairing your rig the proper way.

I know when it comes to clutch jobs I would not only replace a disk or pressure plate and not turn flywheel.

[Spongebob]

I agree fully here. You want a good quality job done, the proper way is to replace the ENTIRE clutch assembly. I, as with Todd, would have done it no other way. WE are the ones responsible in the end for the customer being happy with the job WE do. WE know what it takes to do it right. True, you could have got the clutch online, taken it to a shop, and had them install it, but do you bring your own steak to Black Angus, then complain when its not a tender as you would have liked?? Or do you just go to Black Angus and order the steak on the menu, and if its not to your likeing, then tell them about it???? Come on, be realistic about it.


Joe


I think that you are absolutely correct here Joe. I think that Cottman probably did what we would all say is a correct and thorough job, but it seems to me that they didn't explain what they were doing. Either way, I had a horrible experience with Cottman and will never again give them my business. I have one and only one trusted mechanic that touchs my heep.

[SavageSun4x4]

do you bring your own steak to Black Angus, then complain when its not a tender as you would have liked??

Joe
Joe is right on, I mean do you go to your local cat house on payday Friday nite and bring you own girl, then complain cause you got a dose of the clap? No, you show up, pick out the one you like and you spend your money for quality:eek:

[NVRSTUKXJ]

Joe is right on, I mean do you go to your local cat house on payday Friday nite and bring you own girl, then complain cause you got a dose of the clap? No, you show up, pick out the one you like and you spend your money for quality:eek:

I thought that was your jeep out in the parking lot last week.....;)

[SavageSun4x4]

I thought that was your jeep out in the parking lot last week.....;)
Dang it, I knew you say that after I loaned it to you and you said you were just going down to the Black Angus for some steak:eek: :D

[OlneyJeeps]

I think that you are absolutely correct here Joe. I think that Cottman probably did what we would all say is a correct and thorough job, but it seems to me that they didn't explain what they were doing. Either way, I had a horrible experience with Cottman and will never again give them my business. I have one and only one trusted mechanic that touchs my heep.

If you look at bill, is usually 90% labor
even if it was just a worn/tweaked fork, not the most cost effective (long run) thing to go that far and not replace rest

Is Cottman franchise?

[RokNRich]

Is Cottman franchise?

Yes.

The Gilbert one was for sale not too long ago, I was looking into it a bit.

The business model dictates a complete overhaul in these circumstances, like previously stated.

Since it's a franchise, they will all run their businesses a bit differently so it doesn't do much good to slam one store when others may be good.

But like the OP stated, now that he saw what was involved, he probably would have been better off doing it himself. Bygones.

[mingoglia]

If Cottman's (in Gilbert) is that tranny shop on Gilbert Rd N. of Guadalupe then I had a bad experience with them. It was several years back so I forgot the name of the place. Anyway, I had the tranny fluid changed in my Dodge half don with a manually tranny. Shortly after I got it back I noticed the tranny was a bit more loose. So loose the stick shift actually hit the dash when I shifted into 5th. I thought I was just losing my mind thinking it was the tranny fluid and figured the tranny was just wearing out. It had a reasonable amount of miles on it although I don't remember how many. Anyway, I happened to call up the dealer and ask them what they thought about it. They had said that those trannies require only their (Dodge) "special" tranny fluid and that that was the problem. Well, I replaced the tranny fluid myself with the stuff from Dodge (after taking it in the pants for the most expensive lubricant I ever bought from someone). Sure enough it actually fixed the problem. It shifted like new again. I had the truck another couple of years before selling it with 140k miles and the original clutch. The tranny shifted as new until the day I sold it (except for that 4-5 week period after that tranny shop, Cottman? had it).

Mike

[cactusdawg]

I would never consider dropping the transmission without replacing all the internals while it was apart. Period.

But I can't understand why anyone's clutch would go out at 80,000 miles.

I'm presently at 121,000 without problems.

'87 Wrangler went 180,000 before the hydralics blew inside.

You guys need to learn how to shift.

[FlexyXJ]

Clutch life depends completely on HOW you drive. Lets take for instance a 2000 TJ with a 4.0 and 5 speed. Both Jeeps will have a lift kit and 37" tires. HOWEVER, One of these will have a 4:1 in the case and 4.88 gears. The other will keep the stock 2.72 in the case and lets say for example 3.54 in the axles. We will call the TJ with the 4:1 the "built" jeep and the Stock case the "Stocker" Now when the "built " jeep goes to climb a waterfall for example (axle alley WF #2) There will be alot less clutch slippage to climb it due to the gearing differences. Now, as the owner of the "stocker" tries to climb it, he will be slipping the clutch ALOT more, therefore causing ALOT of heat, not to mention wear. With that heat comes a point that the seals and plastic parts on that slave cylinder are going to be compromised. And the more that clutch is slipped, in the attempt to climb that waterfall, even more heat will build. Eventually, there will be a point that the seals will start leaking in the slave cylinder due to the abuse of clutch slipping. EVERYONE slips the clutch. Its not about being a "better" driver or anything like that, but its due to the sport we all love and enjoy. Its part of the game. Like slashing tires. It happens. Eventually, you will have a clutch slave leak. Why not just replace it while you are there??? Worse case scenario, you get the clutch replaced and dont do the slave, and on the first trip out, that 100,000 mile slave cylinder that has had so much heat and abuse for the last 50K since you built that jeep, now decides to leak fluid all over that new 300 dollar clutch. Now its JUNK. Period. Do the job again. I am not a fan of any of the Chrysler or Ford designs for an internal slave cylinder for heavy duty use. Hell, FORD used that same basic design on all of the M5OD transmissions and they put those in everything from Ford Rangers with 2.3 4 cylinders all of the way up to the F-250 with the 460 behind it. Now theres something to complain about.
So bottom line is, is does not matter if you have 20K or 120K on the Jeep, is the question of how its used for those miles.


Joe


I would never consider dropping the transmission without replacing all the internals while it was apart. Period.

But I can't understand why anyone's clutch would go out at 80,000 miles.

I'm presently at 121,000 without problems.

'87 Wrangler went 180,000 before the hydralics blew inside.

You guys need to learn how to shift.

[JCB77]

On Monday, 01/15/07, I took my 2001 Nissan Pathfinder into Cottman Transimission for transmission service. Previously, on Jan 6, 2007, I took the vehicle to Hunt Nissan in Chattanooga TN for a diagnostic check. The resulting code was P0744 TCC Solenoid. I declined the offer for repair from Nissan to get a second opinion, which I typically do. I thorougly explained to George Stevens the results of the diagnostic check from Nissan as well as showed him the print out from Nissan's Service Department. Cottman Transmissions peformed a diagnostic check as well and found a code of P0740. After George told me of the code that he received, I admantly told him that that wasn't the code received from Nissan. He then replied that he was more than 100% sure that if he replaced the Solenoid Group the problem would be eliminated.

For approximatlely four days, the vehicle drove without any noticable problems. On Friday, January 19th; the vehichle began to show symptoms of the issues noticed prior to Cottman Transmission allegedly fixing the problem. I then called Cottman Transmission's Center Manager, David Hardiman to explain to him the issues that the vehicle was experiencing, however, David wasn't very helpful. The customer service wasn't satisfactorty. I told him that I would bring the vehicle in for further troubleshooting in which the limited warranty guaranteed.

When I brought the vehichle in to discuss the issues with the Center's Manager, David Hardiman, he was very reluctant to assist me with my issues. I asked David for a full refund, however, he refused. So, then I asked him to continue troubleshooting and fulfill the warrantyh. The only thing that David suggested was that I have Cottman Transmission to pull the transmission to see what the issues are futher inside. He then said that this procedure (RCI) would cost me an additional $497.00 plus tax. I therefore asked him to contact the Owner, George Stevens. He replied that he would not be available until later that evening. I then asked David how could I reach George, he replied with he didn't know. I asked him for George's cell phone number and he said that he was unauthorized to give me George's cell phone number. I then quickly remembered the George's cell phone number was printed in the business card that I picked up from the center on my first visit. I proceeded to call George's cell phone number from my personal cell phone. After explaining to George the issues that the vehicle was having as well as explaining to him that David was reluctant to assist me, he then called David to require a Technican to run another diagnostic test. The Technician found that the Solenoid Group was working properly. However, he also received error codes of P0744 and P0740. George finally showed up and we discussed the issues. No resolution was made except that I could have the RCI done by Cottman Transmission for the cost of $497.00. George never made any offer to trouble shoot further the issue without any charge. I therefore was left with the same issues with the vehicle without any plans for it to be fixed.

I then, a few days later called to Cottman Transmission again, to discuss them fulfilling the warranty and trying to figure out the issues with the vehicle again David was reluctant to assist me successfully. The question that was asked was related to checking the Solenoid that was replaced. I wanted to ensure that the solenoid was not faulty. After believing that Cottman Transmission was not going to assist me successfully with the issues that I was having with the vehicle, I proceeded to make plans to have Hunt Nissan to trouble shoot the issues. On today, January 29th, fourteen days after Cottman Transmission allegedly fixed the transmission problems and after trying on several attempts to have Cottman Transmissions to fulfill the warranty, Hunt Nissan's Service Manager, a Master Technician and I ran a diagnostic check on the vechicle and researched to trouble shooting procedures to follow in order to fix the problem. Within less than 20 minutes we were able to find out that Cottman Transmissions replaced the wrong parts. The Control Valve Assembly Componet diagram clearly illustrates that the Torque converter clutch solenoid should have been replaced instead of the Solenoid Group. Nissan's Service Mgr. mentioned that the company that replaced the solenoid group should have thoroughy researced the troubleshooting procedures prior to just making changes. I then signed a contract for Nissan to begin correclty fixing the issue. Nissan assured me that they would fix the problem and guarantee the parts and service. I then asked for Nissan's personnel to give me a copy of the Control Valve Assembly Components diagram and I proceeded to visit Cottman Transmission and ask the Owner and Manager to point out which solenoid they replaced. The pointed to the incorrect solenoid that the trouble shooting guide referred to which is the Solenoid Group. I then asked for a full refund due to the mistakes that were made and the reluctance to assist me with the issues while under warranty. They proceeded to do some research in which I told them that I had already researched with Nissan earlier that day. After approximatly two hours later, the Owner, George Stevens came back mentioning that there is good news and bad news. He admiited that they replaced the wrong part; however, said that they can not give me a full refund due there neglegence. He did offer to replace the correct part and I would have to pay the difference owed on the cost of the part.

I now have 0% confidence in Cottman Transmission's competence in trouble shooting transmissions and performing maintenance on transmissions components. I assertively tried on several occasions to have Cottman Transmission to fulfill the warranty within two weeks time and was unsuccessfull and received much resistance. It is very clear to me that Cottman Transmission is providing very low qualty and inadequate service. Moreover, only after I, myself taking the initiative to research further with Experts at Nissan to find a resolution and bringing the result to George Stevens was he willing to provide some assistance and adequate customer service

[JCB77]

On Monday, 01/15/07, I took my 2001 Nissan Pathfinder into Cottman Transimission for transmission service. Previously, on Jan 6, 2007, I took the vehicle to Hunt Nissan in Chattanooga TN for a diagnostic check. The resulting code was P0744 TCC Solenoid. I declined the offer for repair from Nissan to get a second opinion, which I typically do. I thorougly explained to George Stevens the results of the diagnostic check from Nissan as well as showed him the print out from Nissan's Service Department. Cottman Transmissions peformed a diagnostic check as well and found a code of P0740. After George told me of the code that he received, I admantly told him that that wasn't the code received from Nissan. He then replied that he was more than 100% sure that if he replaced the Solenoid Group the problem would be eliminated.

For approximatlely four days, the vehicle drove without any noticable problems. On Friday, January 19th; the vehichle began to show symptoms of the issues noticed prior to Cottman Transmission allegedly fixing the problem. I then called Cottman Transmission's Center Manager, David Hardiman to explain to him the issues that the vehicle was experiencing, however, David wasn't very helpful. The customer service wasn't satisfactorty. I told him that I would bring the vehicle in for further troubleshooting in which the limited warranty guaranteed.

When I brought the vehichle in to discuss the issues with the Center's Manager, David Hardiman, he was very reluctant to assist me with my issues. I asked David for a full refund, however, he refused. So, then I asked him to continue troubleshooting and fulfill the warrantyh. The only thing that David suggested was that I have Cottman Transmission to pull the transmission to see what the issues are futher inside. He then said that this procedure (RCI) would cost me an additional $497.00 plus tax. I therefore asked him to contact the Owner, George Stevens. He replied that he would not be available until later that evening. I then asked David how could I reach George, he replied with he didn't know. I asked him for George's cell phone number and he said that he was unauthorized to give me George's cell phone number. I then quickly remembered the George's cell phone number was printed in the business card that I picked up from the center on my first visit. I proceeded to call George's cell phone number from my personal cell phone. After explaining to George the issues that the vehicle was having as well as explaining to him that David was reluctant to assist me, he then called David to require a Technican to run another diagnostic test. The Technician found that the Solenoid Group was working properly. However, he also received error codes of P0744 and P0740. George finally showed up and we discussed the issues. No resolution was made except that I could have the RCI done by Cottman Transmission for the cost of $497.00. George never made any offer to trouble shoot further the issue without any charge. I therefore was left with the same issues with the vehicle without any plans for it to be fixed.

I then, a few days later called to Cottman Transmission again, to discuss them fulfilling the warranty and trying to figure out the issues with the vehicle again David was reluctant to assist me successfully. The question that was asked was related to checking the Solenoid that was replaced. I wanted to ensure that the solenoid was not faulty. After believing that Cottman Transmission was not going to assist me successfully with the issues that I was having with the vehicle, I proceeded to make plans to have Hunt Nissan to trouble shoot the issues. On today, January 29th, fourteen days after Cottman Transmission allegedly fixed the transmission problems and after trying on several attempts to have Cottman Transmissions to fulfill the warranty, Hunt Nissan's Service Manager, a Master Technician and I ran a diagnostic check on the vechicle and researched to trouble shooting procedures to follow in order to fix the problem. Within less than 20 minutes we were able to find out that Cottman Transmissions replaced the wrong parts. The Control Valve Assembly Componet diagram clearly illustrates that the Torque converter clutch solenoid should have been replaced instead of the Solenoid Group. Nissan's Service Mgr. mentioned that the company that replaced the solenoid group should have thoroughy researced the troubleshooting procedures prior to just making changes. I then signed a contract for Nissan to begin correclty fixing the issue. Nissan assured me that they would fix the problem and guarantee the parts and service. I then asked for Nissan's personnel to give me a copy of the Control Valve Assembly Components diagram and I proceeded to visit Cottman Transmission and ask the Owner and Manager to point out which solenoid they replaced. The pointed to the incorrect solenoid that the trouble shooting guide referred to which is the Solenoid Group. I then asked for a full refund due to the mistakes that were made and the reluctance to assist me with the issues while under warranty. They proceeded to do some research in which I told them that I had already researched with Nissan earlier that day. After approximatly two hours later, the Owner, George Stevens came back mentioning that there is good news and bad news. He admiited that they replaced the wrong part; however, said that they can not give me a full refund due there neglegence. He did offer to replace the correct part and I would have to pay the difference owed on the cost of the part.

I now have 0% confidence in Cottman Transmission's competence in trouble shooting transmissions and performing maintenance on transmissions components. I assertively tried on several occasions to have Cottman Transmission to fulfill the warranty within two weeks time and was unsuccessfull and received much resistance. It is very clear to me that Cottman Transmission is providing very low qualty and inadequate service. Moreover, only after I, myself taking the initiative to research further with Experts at Nissan to find a resolution and bringing the result to George Stevens was he willing to provide some assistance and adequate customer service

[HCN]

I had a very bad experience with them in the past, will never go back, and never recommend them to anyone.

Amen.

My first mistake was going to Aberdeen Sunoco in Wayne, Pa. (don't go there either - competent work and attitude but overpriced) for convenience instead of waiting and going to my local mechanic. Second mistake: going to Cottman in Paoli, Pa. because Aberdeen Sunoco recommended it. Third mistake: believing the condescending kid at Cottman (who called me by my first name every five seconds) when he said they had to take the transmission apart. Then when he phoned me again, having taken my car hostage, he lied to me giving me two sales pitches for costly plans. When I asked him if those were the only choices he said yes, then after I kept bugging him he offered something less expensive. (Really, Brian? Oh, thanks, Brian, for telling me that in the first place, Brian. Oh, and by the way, Brian, I already know my own name so stop talking down to me, Brian. OK, Brian? Greeeat!) Of course the kid sold me some extra work on the car to try and bring the bill to an even two thousand. Then he d*cked with me about getting the car back to me. Took them three days longer than the 'uses your name every five seconds' kid said it would. Seven days (replacing a transmission actually takes about 15 hours) and a couple of thousands of dollars later I finally got my car back.

These places love to rip off people who don't know cars. I guess there are lots of them on the Main Line which keeps these losers in business. Anyway, stay away from chain shops - Cottman, Aamco (they're the same company) etc. Honest mechanics who know their stuff don't work for these guys. They have shops of their own.

[RokNRich]

LOL

Funny, you guys find the site through Google ?

[Kendall]

So thank you all for clearly pointing out who not to take a troubled transmission to....
But the question remains---where, where, where?