The automatic transmission used in a 2005 Audi A-8 Quattro is manufactured by ZF. This should not surprise you since we touched on the subject in a prior post on ZF transmissions. Before I start my ZF rebuilt transmission story, let me speak for one more paragraph….
If you remember what we discussed, great, if you don’t feel like reading or re-reading the post, what we discussed was that, ZF manufactures and sells their transmissions to companies that in general produce cars of authority. Cars and heavy duty trucks that outperform other products offered in said category. If I were to make a comparison that seems sensible, it would be to compare an $8500.00 Rolex Gold Submariner with a $39.00 Timex watch. Both keep good time, but realistically speaking, if money was not an issue, which watch would you buy?
One day in late 2005, my transmission shop was fortunate enough to have an early 2005 Audi A-8 Quattro off at my shop. The car was probably made in mid 2004 and dubbed a 2005. It had over 100,000 miles on it. A tremendous amount of driving in a year and a half, but it was out of factory warranty.
We went through our all the proper procedures, did a diagnosis and determined it needed a rebuilt transmission. Lets get to the chase…..
The transmission was removed by my ‘Chief’ R and R man (remove and replace). What did we do after it was removed, and before any dis-assembly was performed on the transmission, particularly on a model not familiar to us. We would arm ourselves with as much of the best possible information and be 100 percent familiar with what we were working on in advance..I’m no Boyscout. Be Prepared.
Guess what, it was so new that even the factory did not have any information on it. Even our best research and development problem teams had nothing. The only thing we could find was a brand new transmission from the dealer for just shy of $10000.00. That was not including the R&R fees and fluids. And that was three months away.
To make a long story shorter, we had to contact ZF USA Industries main USA plant, which in turn put us in contact, third person, with ZF Germany Industries. Who in turn, literally pulled new parts off the assembly line, packaged them up and sent them. First to ZF USA, finally to us. It took 2 months.
So here is what is even more amazing, and why a top level transmission rebuilder gets paid a lot of money and gets a lot of respect. With no information, my lead builder, while I was hanging over his shoulder in amazement, disassembled the transmission successfully. If you think disassembling at least 1000 separate parts, including nuts of all thread sizes, bolts of all lengths that have to go back in the hole it came out of or handling and laying out the most complicated 4 layer valve body that has 11 solenoids is easy. Well, need a job?
The person I’m speaking of, had been so thorough in his dis-assembly and layed out the transmission in such a methodical manner. Along with a few written notes. And one of the best memories and transmission savvy minds I have ever known, reassembled the transmission. It took him almost 3 full days, and I helped when he needed it. I still have not gotten over how he remembered to reassemble it. This man worked for me for over 6 years, thus I knew he had a heck of a transmission rebuilders mind.
The ‘Chief’ did his magic and reinstalled the transmission using the proper procedures and factory automatic transmission fluid, and it worked perfectly. John did a final pre-road test fluid check and hooked up the scan tool, checked everything out and away he went. The Audi rebuilt transmission worked perfect, the scanner indicated it was functioning perfectly and the car in general was everything it was billed to be.
As the long story ends, the main things I hope you come away with are that qualified transmission rebuilders are extraordinarily talented people with unusual diagnostic powers. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest marks, a competent do it all tranny man is a 10 at minimum. Simply put, a rebuilt transmission, done right is a cost effective way to solve a need for a rebuilt transmission. If you are in the market for a rebuilt transmission, read more of our GotTransmissions.com Blog for information on your car and how to make an educated decision.
