Allison Transmission Shop Mobile Alabama - Thoughts? - Lost a B500

[John316]

Anybody worked with, or had work done by Al - Trans Service in Mobile? I know some folks that just lost a B500 in Mobile. They were quoted 12,900 for a replacement. I believe that is a genuine Allison rebuild.

Any thoughts about them? Anybody better? I like the fact it is an allison shop, but anybody?

Thanks,

John

[luvrbus]

Al-Tran is a good shop or they were 8 years ago when I had a governor problem on a 740 ,if the 12,900 is installed not a bad price and they will have a nation wide warranty at all Allison dealers I am with you a B500 goes to Allison

[LuckyChow]

Yes, I've also done business with them.  I would recommend.

[B_K]

Never done biz with AL-Tran but chances are they are getting a re-manned trans from WW. Williams rebuilding plant in Columbus, GA.
Comes with the standard warranties and all as said since it's being bought an installed by a Allison Dealer!

When I had a B500 go down a few yrs ago my local Allison shop recommended going this way an I was completely satisfied!
(I could have bought the re-manned directly from WW. Williams or Weller either one for $800 less, but I would have had to pay core charge, shipping & a deposit on the shipping container. In the end it was better to pay the extra $800 + labor to have it installed by a factory authorized dealer ** since it failed again in less than 6 months & second time around all was fixed fast and free to me!)
  BK 

[muldoonman]

Sounds like these B500 have a weak link somewhere with them going down so often.

[luvrbus]

The B500 is a specialized transmission made for buses only that is what the "B" stands for, I have seen them run for 700,000 + miles then some 300,000 miles most are killed by drivers and the retarder 

The newer Prevost conversion shells come with the 4000 series for RV's but the seated buses come with the B500 a more expensive transmission     

[John316]

Thanks for all the help. I just wanted to make sure they weren't at a place that people said to avoid. There are a few bad shops in the south Good news is this one should outlast their bus now (98 Prevost).

[bigred]

I am not familiar with this shop ,but if there is a Clark Power Service shop any where close ,i would check them.Got a price from Clark for about half what this shop is asking,Different transmission but I don't think there would be a six thousand dollar difference. I don't know any thing about the B500.Just sounds a bit pricey for a rebuild.

[wg4t50]

luvrbus,  Agree, the retarder sure can raise the temp fast and way over the 300f limit for the retarder, the sump runs cooler and shows temp change much slower.
The 300f limit is using the Transend Oil only, I have been told by the ex Allison Lube engineer.  I have 114,000 on my 4000R, no issues at all yet.
Maybe because I am the first one up the mountain, and the slowest going down, do not cook the retarder, just love it.
Dave M

[belfert]

A place called Catco here in the Minneapolis area rebuilds Allison transmissions.  They quoted me about $9,000 to install a rebuilt B500 in my bus.  I don't need one right now.  I was just planning for the future.  Catco did get bought by Fleetpride a while back, but still doing Allison transmissions.

[luvrbus]

The Prevost will probably have a B500 R you can add another 2 grand to the rebuild then it depends on the model some you can remove without removing the engine so won't come out except to remove the engine

ABC the standard going rate for a VanHool is 18 grand  exchange the last I heard, you install a new ETC and torque converter( not a so called rebuild) like Allison does along with a nation wide and a new transmission warranty on the rebuilds it get up there in a hurry,the 12,900 didn't sound bad to me lol there is 5 to 600 bucks worth of fluid in that transmission