Fix transmission through the seats???!!!

[kathyf]

I have the fiat but not the skills. I have a 78 124 Spider. It was riding "rough" and my husband, who is not a car person, said that it needed a new transmission. We searched for a few months (not kidding) to find a mechanic here who would touch it. Finally, we talked someone into fixing it. We gave the mechanic (a real, nationally know brand garage, not a shade tree mechanic) the big, fat, repair manual. After 2 months, the part finally showed up (they said the part was lost here for about 2 weeks, haha - but I wasn't laughing). Now the mechanic is ready to start working on the car, says he has figured out that he needs to take out the seats to get to the transmission.
Does this sound right?? Like I said, I don't know anything about cars but I love my little Fiat and don't want to see it messed up!!
Please help.
PS - I live on Oahu, Hawaii (this is why all the trouble) and would love to find a car enthusiast club here.

[kilrwail]

No the seats don't have to come out!

Get in touch with Manoa Matt in Honolulu .... he is one of our stellar experts and a huge source of great advice. See the Members list.

[ORFORD2004]

Run away from that place

[RRoller123]

Yeah, that is beyond silly. The transmission can come out from below with the car on a lift. Same as most cars of this driveline configuration.

[klweimer]

In defense of the mechanic, pulling the seats would make it easier to pull the center console, which would make it easier to access to top of the transmission tunnel, which would make it easier to unplug the the reverse switch, manage the shifter seal, boot, etc. It takes like what, 10-15 minutes to pull the seats? I can do it in 5 with practice. If I was the mechanic, I doubt I would even tell the customer I had to pull them. Now, if the mechanic is saying it will take 2 hours to pull the seats, you really need to go elsewhere.

Manoa Matt is the guy you want to connect with.

Kirk