C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
G
EARS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOR THE TRANSMISSION REBUILDING INDUSTRY
MARCH 2010
PHONE (805) 604-2000 FAX (805) 604-2006
Chief Executive Officer Dennis Madden
Managing Editor Rodger Bland
Technical Director Lance Wiggins Keep Those Trannys Rolling: Do Change for Change’s Sake? Can’t See the Converter
Advertising Frank Pasley You Have a Nagging TCC Shudder Page 20 for the Trees
Senior Designer Jeanette Troub
Page 12 Page 4
Circulation Richard Hurley
Contributing Editors Steve Bodofsky
Matt Dixon Paul Mathewson
SPECIAL INTEREST & TECHNICAL
Raffi Pilavian

ATRA Technical Staff Bill Brayton
4 Can’t See the Converter for the Trees
Mike Brown Steve Garrett
Pete Huscher Jon Rodriguez
— by Mike Souza
Randall Schroeder Mike Souza
12 Keep ThoSe TrannyS rolling: Do you have

Director of Membership & IT Svc Kelly Hilmer
a nagging TCC Shudder? — by Pete Huscher
Seminars & Convention Manager Vanessa Velasquez
14 how independents Make it — by Paul Mathewson
Bookstore Manager Shaun Velasquez
16 Team Transtar, The people Behind The parts
20 Change for Change’s Sake? — by Raffi Pilavian
26 in The TrenCheS: My Visit to Fresno
The views expressed in this publication should not necessarily be interpreted
as the official policy of the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA).
— by Lance Wiggins
Publication of product information or any advertising does not imply recommenda-
tion by ATRA.
32 Shudder Symptoms: not always the Converter!
GEARS™, a publication of ATRA, 2400 Latigo Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030, is — by Matt Dixon,
published for the betterment of the transmission industry and is distributed nine
times per year. No part of this issue may be reproduced without prior written
36 our Trip Down Under and Back — by Mike Souza
permission of the publisher. GEARS is distributed to members of the transmis-
44 MaKing iT WorK: express Transmissions, Stockton, Ca
sion industry in the United States, Canada, ATRA Members in Mexico & Europe,
and related automotive industry firms and individually. Send changes of address
— by Rodger Bland
to GEARS in care of ATRA. Subscriptions are available by contacting GEARS in
52 MeMBerShip MaTTerS: aTra Members get Customers
care of ATRA.
Advertisers and advertising agencies assume full liability for all content of adver-
— by Kelly Hilmer
tisements printed and also assume full responsibility for any claims arising there-
from against the publisher. The publisher reserves the unqualified right to reject any
advertising copy as it deems appropriate, with or without cause.
GEARS is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard

to the subject matter covered. It is distributed with the understanding the publisher
is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional service. If legal
advice or other expert assistance, is required, the services of a competent profes- DEPARTMENTS
sional person should be sought— from a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted
by a Committee of the American Bar Association and Committee of Publishers.
2 FroM The Ceo: …“i’ll Take a large order of Success, please.”
GEARS also welcomes articles submitted by members of the industry. GEARS
— by Dennis Madden
considers all articles for publication that contribute positively to the welfare of the
transmission industry, and reserves the right to edit all articles it publishes. If you 52 aTra Seminars
would like to submit an article to GEARS, include background information about
the author and a telephone number where he/she may be reached. If you want
53 powertrain industry news
submissions returned, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
57 Shoppers and Classified
64 list of advertisers
Editorial and Business Offices
2400 Latigo Avenue,
Oxnard CA 93030
Phone (805) 604-2000
Fax (805) 604-2006
www.gearsmagazine.com
www.atra.com
publications Mail agreement no. 40031403
return Undeliverable Canadian addresses to:
On The Cover: Team Transtar,
Station a, po Box 54, Windsor, on n9a 6J5
The People Behind The Parts
email: gears@atra.com
Feature story on Page 16
(Paid Advertisement)
issue #146 printed in U.S.a. Copyright aTra 2010
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