Knudson Transmission Services

Knudson Transmission Services is a transmission shop in Des Moines, Iowa, serving Des Moines and the broader central Iowa region since 1951. The shop works on domestic and foreign transmissions, manual transmissions, clutches, transfer cases, auxiliary coolers, U-joints, and CV axle shafts, along with fluid, filter, and flush service and external inspection. They also handle recreational towing, RV transmission work, heavy-duty recreational towing, and performance vehicles. Free offerings include a test drive and diagnostic with no appointment needed, an accurate price quote, and local towing with major work, and most extended warranty programs are honored. All qualifying transmission work is backed by a two-year or 24,000-mile nationwide warranty. The shop holds a rating of 4.60 from customers.

The business was started in 1951 by C.E. (Knute) Knudson, who opened his first shop out of a garage on Wall Avenue in Des Moines before moving to Southeast 14th Street. His son Bill joined the business in 1968 and took over after Knute retired in 1970. Bill moved the shop to its current location at 4301 SE 14th Street in June 1999, expanding from a four-bay, 2,400-square-foot building to a six-bay, 5,000-square-foot facility. Bill's son James began helping in the shop at age 12 and now works there full time, putting the family ownership in its third generation. Hours run Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to noon by appointment. Customer reviews note fair pricing, knowledgeable staff, and quality work on everything from standard transmissions to performance builds purchased elsewhere.

The shop sits on SE 14th St, a short distance from Yeader Creek and within about half a mile of Jackson Elementary School, with Southeast 14th Street, East McKinley Avenue, and Indianola Avenue all close by.

With more than seventy years of continuous family operation on Des Moines's south side, Knudson Transmission Services carries a track record that few other transmission shops in central Iowa can match.