# Transmission & mechanic recommendation

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-mechanic-recommendation/39287>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** catalytic-converters, mechanics, lesabre, transmissions, buick\
**Created:** [November 10, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-mechanic-recommendation/39287 "2009-11-10T15:56:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rsburhans3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ba9def/32.png) [@rsburhans3](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rsburhans3)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-mechanic-recommendation/39287/1 "2009-11-10T15:56:12Z")

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I can’t seem to find a reliable transmission shop in Durham, NC that is reasonable - anybody have a recommendation of a shop/mechanic they trust in Durham? (or someone I should avoid)  
  
 I have a 2000 buick lesabre with only 35,000 miles. It now shutters, shakes at around 1500 to 2000 RPM’s. When I take my foot off the gas, or pump the gas pedal to increase RPM’s & speed the shutter goes away. However, can’t maintain a steady speed without the shutter.  
  
 Dealership says it’s the torque converter breaking apart - wants min. of $1,800 to fix, but may need an entire re-build or put in a re-manufactured transmission for much more.  
  
 I’ve also had an independent mechanic say he’d just drop the pan, change the filter, gasket, fluid and put in additive for $375 (this sounds like a lot of money for something that may not really fix the problem)  
  
 Is this really a transmission problem, a simple sensor, or something else?

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**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-mechanic-recommendation/39287/2 "2009-11-10T17:27:39Z")

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And what were the diagnostic results? Were there any codes? You are the victim of anecdotal diagnosis.

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**Author:** ![rsburhans3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ba9def/32.png) [@rsburhans3](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rsburhans3)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-mechanic-recommendation/39287/3 "2009-11-10T17:35:41Z")

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No engine light and no codes. The dealership drove it, said it was the torque converter; Independent guy (who I’ve just found a flamingly bad comment about on yahoo from a previous customer) drove it also. Your point about anecdotal diagnosis is also why I’m asking for recommendations of trustworthy mechanics.