ATS transmission Woes

[Hammer]

Rammin On and John P...

Very well stated and right to the point. Good job... ... ... . Andy

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Ditto!



Of all people ATS should be taking care of, Nate should be at the top of the list. Give the guy a new transmission... chalk it up to serving your country if you have to. No Mark, helping one guy out and doing the right thing won't put them out of business... in fact, it will probably pull in MORE business in the long run. That's the way good customer service works.



I can't believe he payed labor for warranty work on a brand new transmission.

Clint does bend over backwards every chance he gets. I said that allowing all warranty claims without question would render him in an unfavorable financial state



The two stories I hear don't quite coincide. One says

...

Did you forget that Chuck in Seattle rebuilt your second transmission, not ATS? Because I felt that YOU were not at fault, and Chuck would not stand behind his work, I replaced your transmission at no charge to you whatsoever.



I appologized for the problem and inconvenience every time I spoke to you or your wife, and shipped your transmission in front of 7 others that were scheduled to leave before yours... all in hopes that you would make it back for the wedding (which I truely hope you did). We realize that there was a huge inconvenience to you, and did everything in our power to make sure that you got back on the road ASAP...

the other says...

... .

Feb 2004: Paid $6,000 for ATS torque converter and transmission.

March 2004: In shop to repair vacume lines installed incorrectly by ATS in Denver.

July 2004: Torque converter completely failed - ATS repaired (2 weeks down)

Aug 2004: Back to shop to install $5 part to prevent line pressure over-load faults. 120 miles driving to install a $5 part that ATS should have installed originally.

Jan 2005: Valve stuck open - low line pressure - transmission wasted! Sat in Yuma for 3 weeks while ATS decided it was their problem. And then they asked me to help pay!!...

then ...

When our 1st ATS transmission failed, I called ATS and they directed me to their fella in Seattle (about 60 miles one way). The Seattle transmission guy diagnosted the problem and he and ATS arrived at their solution (which was replace the TC and rebuild the rest of the transmission with all new parts sent to the Seattle transmission guy from ATS). The Seattle transmission guy (Ed's Transmission) really took good care of us - he always gave us the feeling he just wanted to get the thing fixed and get us back on the road.



I don't want to even attempt to second guess why ATS decided to have Ed's rebuild the transmission and that's not my issue - but Ed's did rebuild it under ATS' direction and guidance.



When the 2nd transmission went out, the fella in Yuma (Southeast Diesel) said this one was shot, ATS (after looking at our failed transmission) decided to ship an entirely different rebuilt transmission with another new TC. ATS reported that they tested this 3rd transmission 3 separate times with 3 different mechanics - they said this was the last time they wanted me to have a failed transmission.



SO, ATS did stand behind their product - I just was hoping for more compassion and a little more speed...

I don't know if there is really a desparity or just a miscommunication. But those are three different accounts of the same set of events.



I'd just like to know if there's something else missing.



I'm a big fan of ATS but I also know they are not infalable. I get the impression they have made a concerted effort to make up for any actual or percieved shortcoming.



BTW. Maddog DOES have an ATS transmission and its an E4OD. I'm utterly amazed that an E4OD can be made to take anywhere near that abuse.



Imagine what could be done with better equipment to build from



FWIW,



Mark

 

[John_P]

Hammer:



Thanks for the kind words!



----------

Mark:



Good point on the two stories!



-------

John_P

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Here's my experiences with ATS and their torque converter and transmissions:

To me, this is what the Forum is all about - We share our experiences with our trucks and products.

I'm not impressed with ATS nor their products. Their customer service is probably the worst I've ever experienced.

This is HIS impression. Maybe he receives superior products and service from everyone else he deals with.



=========================================================



Now for me as a potential customer of ATS - I use this forum to gauge the satisfaction that this large membership is willing to share with the world. I have purchased many products based on these testimonies - B&W setup, Gear Vendors OD, Edge EZ, a host of things from Geno's Garage, etc.



Please keep the testimonies coming and then people like me will make our decisions, spend our money, and then share with you our impressions and experiences. These things make the TDR discussion forums well worth the $$ and time.

 

[NSarabia]

truck recovery atlast

To all who viewed my timeline.



You'll all find the results interesting. The transmission shop allowed me and a friend to view,video tape and document the removal and disassembly of my problamatic ATS transmission. After disassembly the shop foreman pointed out that the transmission looked like it was abused as if this transmission had gone way beyond it's due date for a rebuild and that there were some parts missing ( A type of bearing and a couple of seals ). He also pointed out that 2 of the solonoids and the pressure sensor in the valve body were bad or just never replaced. During diagnostics he noted zero pressure in areas were there was supposed to be. He also pointed out some of the parts that looked way worn for a transmission of this stature and that it was possibly due to poor or incorrect assemby. All in all price tag for this almost complete rebuild service of this transmission ran me upwards of $1800. 00. To say the least I am very disappointed and embarrased by this piece of equipment that I once dubbed the crown jewel of this truck. Even as the shop foreman assured me if there were any problems with the truck's transmission( before or after my deployment), don't hesitate to bring it back in, an uneasy feeling comes upon me, sort of wondering if or when will this transmission fail me and more importantly how much more will it cost me. Even now as I drive the truck I just don't have that sure footed feeling anymore, but at least I got to drive her three days before deployment. As I said before in my previous post I won't bad mouth anyone and that I'll resolve this problem after I redeploy from overseas,over the phone or in person.



SSG Nate Sarabia

US Army (EOD)

Ft,Hood,TX

Inital success or total failure.

 

[snowaholic]

Nate,



Was this tear-down done without ATS knowing about it?

 

[OTRPU]

The juries still out on mine. But everybody but ATS agreed that transmission took out my flex plate which ended up with me having to rebuild a new Cummins 24v. I'm not talking one or two shops, I've had problems coast to coast and I'm scared to death I'll be left laying along the roadside again. That transmission tears out input shafts. The controller wouldn't downshift or unlock and it tears u joints and rear yokes up. Had a new yoke and u joints installed in Indiana. By the time I got to Denver, ATS took a look and told me the yoke was spread and needed to be replaced, as well as bearing straps. So I had them throw one in. Went north, Montana shop said yoke is spreading and should be replaced. Low on money and time I just had them throw in new u joints. Got to Oregon, same story. This stuff don't wear out every other state just cause I'm hauling and empty camper around. So back to ATS I go, they look, say they can't find a thing wrong with the transmission. So we go for a test drive with me driving. They didn't agree that it's slipping, but did agree that the commander wasn't unlocking soon enough and made adjustment to the box. I've done fluid & filter changes every ten thousand miles. I'm gonna have Angola change the fluid and filter tomorrow. Can't wait to hear what they find in the pan. Angola had driven it and he doesn't feel the slipping. Maybe I'm full crap, but locked in OD, cruise set, trailer on, when it goes up hill I feel a serging. And it shows with RPM increases/fluctuations on the tach. Only thing I don't understand is if it's slipping like I claim why aren't I seeing an increase in transmission temp. Maybe not slipping enough. But if I kick off cruise and downshift it goes away. You tell me, does that sound like it might be slipping? Maybe I don't know what slipping is. But it's cost me thousands to go back and forth accross this country and every time I have to have anybody look at it I'm told the transmission/commander is the cause of all my problems. What do I know?



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[MLeppen]

"They didn't agree that it's slipping, but did agree that the commander wasn't unlocking soon enough and made adjustment to the box. "



If that means shifting while TC is locked... ... I've heard bad things can happen.

 

[NSarabia]

Hey snowaholic



Unfortunately yes. However I don't think it would have mattered. ATS and Houston performance diesel both tried to diagnose the problem over a two month period and still couldn't get it right, even with the assistance of the local transmission shop there in Houston. To say the least I guess I just got too impatient and too close to my deployment date to risk having the shop in Houston put a mechanics lien on the truck during the deployment. I guess I'll just have to look for another transmission vendor with closer support to Ft. Hood.



SSG Nate Sarabia

 

[snowaholic]

The juries still out on mine. But everybody but ATS agreed that transmission took out my flex plate which ended up with me having to rebuild a new Cummins 24v. I'm not talking one or two shops, I've had problems coast to coast and I'm scared to death I'll be left laying along the roadside again. That transmission tears out input shafts. The controller wouldn't downshift or unlock and it tears u joints and rear yokes up. Had a new yoke and u joints installed in Indiana. By the time I got to Denver, ATS took a look and told me the yoke was spread and needed to be replaced, as well as bearing straps. So I had them throw one in. Went north, Montana shop said yoke is spreading and should be replaced. Low on money and time I just had them throw in new u joints. Got to Oregon, same story. This stuff don't wear out every other state just cause I'm hauling and empty camper around. So back to ATS I go, they look, say they can't find a thing wrong with the transmission. So we go for a test drive with me driving. They didn't agree that it's slipping, but did agree that the commander wasn't unlocking soon enough and made adjustment to the box. I've done fluid & filter changes every ten thousand miles. I'm gonna have Angola change the fluid and filter tomorrow. Can't wait to hear what they find in the pan. Angola had driven it and he doesn't feel the slipping. Maybe I'm full crap, but locked in OD, cruise set, trailer on, when it goes up hill I feel a serging. And it shows with RPM increases/fluctuations on the tach. Only thing I don't understand is if it's slipping like I claim why aren't I seeing an increase in transmission temp. Maybe not slipping enough. But if I kick off cruise and downshift it goes away. You tell me, does that sound like it might be slipping? Maybe I don't know what slipping is. But it's cost me thousands to go back and forth accross this country and every time I have to have anybody look at it I'm told the transmission/commander is the cause of all my problems. What do I know?



Cheers,

Steve J

OTRPU,



Just out of curiosity, is your drive shaft aligned, and has it been lengthend due to stretching the wheel base buy adding a third cab or longer cab? I have heard of issues like that with Stretched Hummer Limo’s, F350 Limos, and the like.

 

[snowaholic]

"They didn't agree that it's slipping, but did agree that the commander wasn't unlocking soon enough and made adjustment to the box. "



If that means shifting while TC is locked... ... I've heard bad things can happen.

If that's the truth, then why due Ford's shift locked, as well as HD Allison's, like your local Mass Transit bus? Just wondering what are the bad things. I've have a buddy that has put probably 80,000 miles on his 02 5. 9 with 498 HP and uses it loaded (+/- a ton) every day in traffic and on the highway making deliveries. He has not had one single issue with his shifting locked, except maybe losing a piece of wood out the back when trying to race a Vet while he is loaded. :-laf

 

[John_P]

All of you have probably read my earlier posts on my two (2) ATS

Transmissions in my 1996 and my newer 2002. Like "snowaholic's"

friend, I tow very heavy in the mountains on 6-7% grades and

do it "locked-up" and have never had any problems with either

of the units in my trucks. As I said, the ATS Transmission in my

1996 has over 90,000 miles on it now with no problems at all.

All of the towing with that unit was done "locked-up" and I even

have the "first generation ATS rheostat type controller" in that

1996 which still works great today! The recent teardown of the

"Gen 1 ATS Triplelok Converter" by Sean @ ATS confirmed that

the TC is still in very good shape for the number of miles and

abuse I have put the unit through.



I agree with "snowaholic" that maybe there are some other

factors causing wear. I suggest calling and talking to Clint

@ ATS. I know he will make things right for you.



--------

John_P

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

As usual it was a matter of time. Let me remind everyone of the guidelines as they relate to auto transmission posts - *** Transmission threads - new policy, please read ***:

The only solution I can come up with to stop this is to institute a rule that when it comes to automatic transmissions if a post is started about ATS trannies ONLY those with ATS trannies or stock can post to it. If a post is started about DTT trannies then ONLY those with DTT trannies or stock can post to it. Likewise with BD, Suncoast, Goerend, or others. I find it sad that it has to come to this but I don't see any other workable option based on the track record. These battles have been hashed out over and over again and nothing has come out of them other than people being ****** off and driving users away from the site. From here on out we will be deleting posts based on this policy. If you see a post that falls under this policy DO NOT fire back at that person - simply report the post and it will be taken care of.



If a post is asking a general transmission question you can post how your transmission modification works - but DON'T discuss the other side AT ALL. Posts WILL be deleted with no notice that do not meet this standard.

-Steve St. Laurent

Lead Moderator

 

[John_P]

snowaholic:



Very good post! You spoke of possibly having problems getting

information on "making a possible engine conversion with your Ford

PSD. " I wouldn't worry too much about that, as TDR Member Richard

Madsen (MADDOG) recently had ATS build his E40D Ford transmission

in his Ford PSD which was "converted" and is powered with a 5. 9

Cummins Diesel Engine!



At the recent ATS Summit TDR Rally last month he put down almost

800 RWHP on ATS' Mustang 1750 Dyno! You can view that on their

website. I am sure he will attend the ATS Truckfest in Denver coming

up in July. Hope to see you there!



--------

John_P

 

[John_P]

snowracer69:



I don't know if that was the case with "MADDOG'S" truck or not. You

would need to ask him about that. If that was the case I know that

Clint and his entire crew will surely take care of whatever happened.

-------

John_P

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Even if Maddog had a transmission problem it is not relevant to this discussion. He has an E4OD. A completely different design of transmission with different weaknesses than the 47/48re in a dodge.



The fact that a an E4OD held over 1000hp even for a few seconds and then continued to function is just this side of a miracle. I'm pretty sure that Maddog's transmission lasted months not seconds.



If Richard is anything like me he makes every event he can vased on calendar then distance. things break, the calander changes.



Later,

Mark

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Short of a miracle? WHAT? The E4OD is inherently a stronger transmission than the 47RE. Why is it a miracle that it held "for a few seconds"?



How many runs at 800+ have others thrown through other auto trannies (47RE's for that matter... which, as stated above, are inherently a weaker design) w/o any breakage or damage?



#ad


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Actually, stock, the 47re is slightly stronger. How many 1700ftlb fords are running around??? have you ever tried to make a transmission hold 1000hp and 1700ftlb and be user friendly/reliable enough for a daily driver that tows regularly? I haven't either but I can fathom the technical hurdles neccessary to accomplish such a feat.



There are a lot(relatively) of 1400+ftlb dodges out there. There has been a lot more R&D done to correct the shorcomings of the 47re at extreme torque levels. I only know of ONE 1500+ftlb ford on the road and he has a rather special torque converter to mate a cummins to an E4OD.



Imagine being Clint, Some guy calls says he has a Ford. Says he's at 800hp and plans to be at 1000hp soon and wants you to build an E4OD to take it. It's never been done as far as you know. You take the challenge and set about building the meanest ford transmission on the streets.



ATS accomplished the goal in very short fashon and from what I've heard it was a relatively painless process.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

As I tried to point out above this post is regarding ATS trannies. Anyone owning or affiliated with another transmission vendor should not be posting in this thread and their posts will be deleted in accordance with the guidelines if they do.



-Steve St. Laurent

Lead Moderator

 

[snowracer69]

Even though I have never mentioned my affiliation with a transmission company (of which I have NONE, and yet some people in this thread DO HAVE and yet they hide it) or my ownership of a certain transmission (notice I am not posting my sig for just this reason), I am no longer allowed to comment on this thread. Even though I am only asking questions to help better inform those trying to make a decision based on facts and not brand bias. The pow-wow that can be had by people trying to push something when others aren't allowed to question it is unbelievable, and apparent right here in this thread.



Good luck to all w/ your ATS issues. I hope that the man defending our freedom is finally treated right by ATS... trust me, it won't break you to help a fella out. And also good luck to Richard... hope that transmission gets a full run on it someday.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

snowracer, I did not see that in your signature line otherwise I would have deleted your posts earlier. As most are aware the guidelines evolved to this point because our hands were forced by the users. The only fair way to apply the guidelines is to apply them 100% to everyone and I do my best to do so - that doesn't matter which company is involved. We tried guidelines that would have allowed posts such as yours but it simply didn't work. I truly wish that open debate could be fostered on this topic (I have absolutely no dog in this fight as I only own manual trannies) but we tried and tried and it finally came down to this.



If you wish to discuss this policy further please start a post on it in the Website/Roundtable forum.



-Steve St. Laurent

Lead Moderator