Chilton's Automatic Transmissions/Transaxles: Diagnosis and Repair (New Total Service Series)

Rating:
Summary: A great book to try on your first transmission
Review: Although successful rebuilding engines, I thought transmissions were taboo. Then I broke the reverse band on my sons 1990 Chrysler 404 3-spd tranny and threw in one from the wrecker. I bought and studied this book cover to cover and even though it didn't specifically show a 404, it helped me figure out the basics and theory from all the others shown. The vehicle's repair manual I had gave me the band adjustments. So, I ordered up the new band, seal and gasket kit and thrust washers, and set to work. This book gave me all the advice and warnings necessary, the puppy's back together, back in the vehicle and running perfectly. Which is just as well since my son totalled the tranny from the wrecker - have you ever seen a differential explode?

Rating:
Summary: Excellent choice for beginners
Review: If you want to start repairing automatic transmissions this is your first book!. It will help you introduce and understand the basics and theory of operation of most auto transmissions out there. Once you get thru this book, is just a matter of getting the service manual of the specific transmission you want to repair and the repair kit to be able to succeed, like me, on your first overhaul.

Rating:
Summary: great but ...
Review: this book is good for beginners or people who are just learning the ropes about automatic transmission. lacks the depth and technical concepts that a repair manual should have. still ... very helpful on a whole

Rating:
Summary: Excellent choice for beginners
Review: Upon first opening the book I expected it to cover everything about transmissions. Well it did, theoretically speaking. It showed pictures and examples, and it had some shots of the Ford AOD transmission. However, when it began to give diagrams showing the bolt hole patterns - it left out the AOD! When it showed the in-depth diagrams of all the transmission parts, it also left out the AOD. To top it off, the book barely covers any model-specific instructions but rather showed vague and "universal" instructions. I'm going to try the ATSG AOD manual and see how that goes. But this book is a waste of money, try to find a model-specific guide.

Rating:
Summary: Can we say "useless"?
Review: Upon first opening the book I expected it to cover everything about transmissions. Well it did, theoretically speaking. It showed pictures and examples, and it had some shots of the Ford AOD transmission. However, when it began to give diagrams showing the bolt hole patterns - it left out the AOD! When it showed the in-depth diagrams of all the transmission parts, it also left out the AOD. To top it off, the book barely covers any model-specific instructions but rather showed vague and "universal" instructions. I'm going to try the ATSG AOD manual and see how that goes. But this book is a waste of money, try to find a model-specific guide.