Being Safe, doing it right! Cost me!

[BIG BOB]

Sometime thing just don't work out the way you plan.



Last July I lost the 5th gear nut. Truck had 90,000+ on it, so I decided to do it right. I ordered the replacement fully splined main shaft from Standard Transmission. I figured that being the transmission was going to have to be torned down, I may as well replace, synchros, bearings and seals. I also purchased them from Standard Transmission. I was recommended to Clutches Plus to install them. This went as planned.



When I got back from Canada on Labor Day, I noticed oil coming from the bellhousing. I thought it was a rear main leak. I took it to the dealer who was going to cover it under warranty. After the dealer had it all torn down, they discovered that there was nothing wrong with the rear main, the leak was coming from the front seal of the transmission.



Well to make this a little shorter, being the dealer had the transmission out, I told them to replace the seal. (They also wanted to replace my South Bend Clutch, I put in, in April, said it was worn out! The dealer didn't know what he was looking at!) Cost me $510 plus some change for the seal and labor!



Of course Clutches Plus blames it on a defective seal and Standard Transmission blames it on the installation. I have to say that I knew up front that Clutches Plus would not warranty the parts since the didn't supply them and Standard Transmission would not warranty labor since the didn't do the install.



I just had to vent a little, I was trying to do it right, so I wouldn't have problems in the future and it still cost me.



I guess that's what happens when you are your own warranty station!

 

[Doc Tinker]

You guys that buy your parts from one place and have them installed somewhere else should try to get the installer to buy your parts for you, from you choice of suppliers. The parts might cost more, but it sure would be cheaper than paying the installer for a second tear-down.



Most installers will cover the rework if they supply the parts.



Better yet, would be to go straight to the source for the purchase and the install.



Doc

 

[Snow man]

I often tell friends to keep there trucks stock,and buy the extended warranty,because they cant/wont work on there trucks. They see me having fun with my truck,but have no idea how much time,and money Ive got tied up in my pride and joy. If you cant do the labor end of repairs,bombing can be very expensive,and fingers always get pointed as to who's at fault when something breaks. I find that by doing it myself,in addtion to knowing my truck better,and the pride I take,it is the only way I know for sure,that the work was done right,and no corners were cut. I often repair my truck,even when under warranty,because I dont want the dealer touching my truck. With todays labor rates,I couldnt afford to have routine mantance/brakes done at the dealership,let alone repairs.

 

[Doc Tinker]

Ditto - what Snow Man said



Doc

 

[Bob Wagner]

question for snow man

did you install your DTT upgrades ?

 

[Snow man]

Yes i did,it is the second one Ive done now,and i made a mistake,I didnt have the chrysler specs for the 3rd gear clearance,when we put the 5 clutch pak in,so I shimmed it to GM clearances,too tight for a chrysler,I havent driven it in over a week,Im having withdrawls,and have to pull it again,it was still worth it. Bill K sent me a new set of clutches,in case i toasted mine in the 30 miles i drove it before I talked to him. I want them there whern we yank it, incase,I dont want my truck down,with transmission parts all over waiting for a few clutch discs. I shimmed it to . 050",it shoud have been . 075 minimum according to Bill. Live and learn.

 

[GDouglas]

When the clutch and/or transmission work was done, was the pilot bearing replaced? A worn out one could have a significant effect on clutch and input shaft seal concerns. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[BIG BOB]

Doc and Snow Man,



I kinda feel that like I have been attacked by the two of you! Like I orginally said, I knew up front the consequences before I had the work done. I'm not pointing any fingers.



Doc,



You are right, I probably should have tried to persuade the installer to purchase the parts from Standard Transmission in Texas. He was just going to get the standard Dodge replacement nut. I wanted it fixed permanently.



As far as taking my truck or sending the transmission to Texas, I don't think so!



Standard Transmission is the only supplier of the fully splined main shaft that I could find.



Snow Man,



I have been working on autos since I was 12 years old. I have done just about everything except rebuild an automatic transmission, and it's not that I couldn't, I just haven't. I am very mechanically inclined, also have a degree in Mechanical Engineering. It was not a lack of knowledge! As far as the transmission rebuild and main shaft, it was a timing problem and I wanted to fix it once and for all! Assuming the rear main was leaking and it was a warranty issue, I couldn't see spending 8-10 hours of my time tearing it apart when it was covered under warranty. I was not about to tell the Dodge dealer to put the transmission back together without fixing the problem, that would have really been dumb! Spend $500. 00 to have the dealer tell me that the seal is bad and then not have them fix it while it is torn down? Maybe you would! Not this kid! Your are right, we all live and learn, but don't knock me for trying to do it right and prevent further problems!



If you look at my truck and all the performance and accessories on it, I have done them myself and have helped many others to do the same!



I take exceptional care of the "White Obsession"! I have done all the maintance, performance and accessories on it myself, except the transmission and clutch because of timing. I do alot of perventive maintance and when I see a potential problem, I fix it before it breaks!



I apologize if I took your posts wrong.

 

[BIG BOB]

Originally posted by GDouglas

When the clutch and/or transmission work was done, was the pilot bearing replaced? A worn out one could have a significant effect on clutch and input shaft seal concerns. Just my 2 cents worth.

GDouglas,



Yes it was replaced. The pilot bearing hole was not oblong, so I didn't have to put the kevlar replacement bearing from South Bend in.

 

[Snow man]

Bob, I was not attacking you at all,I feel for you,I have friends that have been in the same spot as you,it hurts. If you felt I had attacked you,you have my apologys. I have been hearing about these same problems,poor workmanship that you paid top dollar for. I too dont mind paying a lot of money for quality work,and or parts. it seems like once it leaves the factory,a good amount of the subsequent work done by dealers/independents is below the sandards set by the original assemblers,and the maker.

 

[Doc Tinker]

I'm sorry if you feel like I attacked you, Big Bob - That wasn't my intention. I just wanted to make a point to others who read this thread and might be thinking of going the same route that you took. I was hoping to encourage others to do their homework before they get nailed by a big bill that they don't expect.



There have been others who have gone through similar experiences and they're never happy with the results.



Doc

 

[John]

Tough nuggets BOB...I'm not apologizin'

I still think this whole mess can be traced back to when you missed third gear.



Flame on buddy, what are friends for?

 

[John]

Seriously though...

I have experienced situations similar to what you described... where you try to do everything right, purchasing the very best parts and the whole da*ned deal goes to he!!.



... builds character I guess

 

[Jim Nunn]

Character.........

Bad things happening to us reveal character... ... ... ...