Thats interesting findings you have. I'm thinking the washer couldn't chip the teeth off the pinion gear, and if it did you probably wouldn't have been able to tell it was a washer.
Thats just my opinion and is not really worth much.
I would use your information that you have discovered. Work the fact that a rebuild could set you back $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 and work a killer deal like $1,000 to $2,000 for the spare trans.
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