Don's Garage Automotive and Transmission
Service · Denver

Transmission Rebuild, Repair & Service

It's in the shop name. We've been doing this since 1970.

Call (303) 295-2448

What this service is

Transmissions are what we built the shop on. Rebuilds, repairs, fluid services, transfer cases on four-wheel drive trucks, manual clutches and synchros, automatic valve bodies — all of it. Most shops at our size won't touch a rebuild anymore. We still do, because the right rebuild on the right vehicle saves you thousands and lasts as long as a remanufactured drop-in.

What's involved

  1. Road test plus computer scan to confirm the symptom
  2. Pan drop and inspection for clutch material in the fluid
  3. Honest call between rebuild, replacement, or simpler repair
  4. Full parts breakdown so you see what's in the quote
  5. Final road test, fluid change, and 30-day check-in

Wondering if this repair is worth it? Use our free repair-or-replace calculator for a math-based answer in under a minute.

Common signs you need it

If you're seeing any of these, bring it in.

Slipping — engine revs but the truck doesn't accelerate

Hard, late, or rough shifts

Burning smell, especially after towing or a long climb

Red or brown fluid on the driveway

Whining, humming, or buzzing that changes with speed

Won't go into gear, or jumps out of gear

Not sure if it's actually your transmission? Take our free 90-second diagnostic quiz first — most "transmission" symptoms turn out to be a CV joint, motor mount, torque converter, or just low fluid. Better to know before you authorize the wrong repair.

Considering a transmission rebuild? Read our consumer guide first — rebuild vs. remanufactured vs. used, what to ask any shop, and red flags to watch for. Fifteen minutes of reading can save you thousands.

Common transmission questions

Make and model questions we hear most.

Specific failure patterns, typical costs, and what we'd do for each — based on what actually walks through Don's bay doors.

Ford F-150 transmission rebuild — what's typical?

The 6R80 in 2009-2017 F-150s typically fails between 130,000 and 180,000 miles, with torque converter shudder and rough 1-2 shift as common early symptoms. Rebuild cost runs $2,800-$4,200 in our shop depending on damage extent. We've done dozens of these — call (303) 295-2448 for a diagnostic before committing to anyone's quote.

Ford F-250 / F-350 Powerstroke transmission — what fails?

Powerstroke-mated 5R110 and 6R140 transmissions handle diesel torque well when serviced strictly. Failures typically come from missed services or heavy fleet duty without auxiliary cooling. Common failures: torque converter, cooler line cracks, valve body solenoids. Rebuild cost $3,500-$5,500. For fleet operators, severe-duty service every 30,000 miles dramatically extends life.

Chevy Silverado / GMC Sierra transmission rebuild Denver?

The 6L80 / 6L90 in 2007+ Silverados is a workhorse that occasionally fails at 150,000-200,000 miles, often via worn 3-5-R clutch or 1-2-3-4 clutch. Rebuild cost $3,000-$4,500. The Allison 1000 in 2500/3500 Duramax variants is significantly more durable but more expensive when it does need work — $5,500-$8,000 for a rebuild. Call us before signing off on a major quote.

RAM 1500 / 2500 / 3500 transmission failures?

The 8HP70 in modern RAM 1500s is generally reliable but sensitive to fluid quality — Mopar ZF spec only. The 68RFE in HD diesel RAMs can have a tougher service life under heavy towing; many fleet operators see torque converter or input clutch issues by 150,000 miles. Diesel rebuilds run $5,500-$8,500. Bring us a quote and we'll diagnose from scratch.

Mercedes Sprinter transmission — fleet vans?

The 7G-Tronic in 2007-2018 Sprinters has known torque converter and conductor plate issues, often appearing as harsh shifting or limp-mode events. Fleet operators running heavy daily routes can see conductor plate failure as early as 100,000 miles. We rebuild these in-house — rebuild cost typically $3,800-$5,200, including conductor plate work where needed.

Toyota Tacoma / Tundra transmission service Denver?

Toyota's automatics are among the most reliable in the truck market — typical 6-speed and 8-speed Aisin units routinely hit 250,000+ miles with consistent fluid service. Most Tacoma / Tundra customers come to us for transmission service rather than rebuild, every 60,000 miles in fleet duty. When rebuild is needed, $2,800-$4,000 covers most cases.

What customers say

Reviews coming soon — check our Google profile in the meantime.

Worried about the cost? We accept Synchrony 0% APR financing for 6 or 12 months on qualifying repairs, plus Koalifi 90 days same as cash. Apply at the shop.

Bring it in. We'll tell you straight.

Real diagnostics, honest call between fix and replace, no sold work that doesn't need doing.

Call (303) 295-2448

0% APR financing