Transmission-trouble misdiagnosis was corrected and wheel bearing repair was $1100.00 cheaper

Audrey drove the 2000 Honda Odyssey to Orlando and back one Saturday a few weeks ago. The vehicle started making a very loud noise that seemed like "road-noise." I test drove it when she got back and found that the sound seemed to be independent of the motor/transmission, but seemed to be related only to the wheel-turning speed. I figured it was a wheel-bearing going bad, and so had Audrey take it to our regular mechanic (Firestone, located at 631 South State Road 7, Plantation, FL 33317-4046, Phone: (954) 583-8302). That mechanic had been very helpful to us with Audrey's van in the past and had proven themselves to be courteous, respectful, and trustworthy.

Tom-the-mechanic test drove the van with Audrey in the car and determined that wheel bearing problems were unlikely because the noise did not increase or decrease while the vehicle was cornering. He later called and reported that he had diagnosed transmission troubles by using a special electrical stethoscope to trace the source of the noise. He also said that he could have the repairs completed without delay and for a cost of $1600.00 if I would give him the go-ahead.

I called around and got some information from transmission shops and eventually decided to take Audrey's van to an AAMCO shop, widely recognized as transmission specialists (AAMCO of Ft. Lauderdale, 2767 N. Dixie Highway, (954) 567-3354). They test drove and did their own diagnostic tests and determined that it was the wheel bearings and made the repair for just under $500.00. The repair worked and the van runs as smoothly as ever, now, without the annoying noise.

I hated spending that much money on wheel-bearings (something that I feel like I could replace on my own for much less), but I was happy that the job was done right and that we did not end up repairing the wrong component, as suggested by the first mechanic.