Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Dealer rejectd warranty work

[bignick33]

hello everyone,



Went to dealer, King's Dodge in Ohio, Both axle seals are leaking, which by the way they just fixed 9 months ago. So i went in and told them the problem, so they said they would check it out. When i bought this truck used two years ago, i dropped 12 hundread dollars on an extended warranty through chrysler. Well the dealer said that they will not fix the problem due to bigger tires on my truck and pretty much said don't come back here anymore. The service guy said that the big tires put alot of stress on the axle seals This really ticked me off. Has anyone had this problem before with any dealers.



thanks, nick

 

[MJawsman]

I'd log a complaint with Chrysler and high tail it to a different dealer. I don't see how tire size has any effect on axle seals! Smells like bullsh!t to me!

 

[Crazy Horse]

How big are your tires? Factory whells; what offset are they? Both of these could have to do with seal longevity.

 

[jwurtz]

If you went to Kings Dodge, then you cant be that far from Kerry Dodge in Milford. Thats where I bought my truck and they have taken care of me. I deal with a sales person by the name of Mark Moeller, tell him Jeff says HI! and the service guy by the name of Dave Schmid. Dave drives a 95 1500 4x4 lifted black, it should be around back if you go there. Its a real nice truck, cause it used to be mine!!! Tell Dave you know the guy that used to own the truck. He helped me out when my TC bit the dust. If you have a 2500, Im right across the street in KY, near Covington, if you want, if the tires are not to big, we could swap till you get the truck out of the shop. Just an idea, but I doubt Kerry Dodge will say anything about them. They have Rams on their lot that are lifted and come with 33's and still carry the factory warrenty.

 

[bignick33]

The tire size is 33, not really that big. Yeah i work in milford so i guess i will try kerry dodge. Thanks, Nick

 

[jwurtz]

If they say one word about tire size just say ok and leave. I will stop by and swap wheels with ya. Then go ahead and pull back in... lol You shouldnt have a problem with them, they have or had lifted trucks on their lot. So they really cant say much about it.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Nick- if the tires were on the truck 9 month ago when the seals leaked the first time...

I think MOST of us are running larger tires on our trucks, and few have had the leaking problems you're running into. Sounds like there might be something interesting about your (trucks) rear-end!

Greg

 

[emjay]

Tire size cannot directly cause oil seal failure. They're using that as an excuse. Oil seals are not load-bearing (unless I'm missing something, someone please tell me if I'm wrong!). You should call DC and complain, then take it elsewhere.



If the bearing fails due to the increased load, that'll make your seals leak, but that's a whole 'nuther problem . I didn't see exactly what model your truck is in your sig (2500,3500 4x2, 4x4, etc), but the stock tires on my '00 are about 30. 5 inches in diameter new. If you put 33s on there, that is such a small increment (< 10%), I seriously doubt that would cause a problem.



Also, if you have a semi-floating (one piece rear) axle and the bearings are adjusted with shims, if the bearings aren't shimmed porperly, that will cause an oil seal failure and possibly a bearing failure, too. If that's the case, whomever replaced the seals last time should have checked that.....

 

[rspinks]

They seem to love the tire size excuse. I brought my truck into a DC stealership with 7000km and complained of vague steering feedback, they did nothing about it and wrote on the work order it was due to the "large oversized aftermarket tires" so that every other stealer would have that excuse from now on. I have 285/75 tires.



I have no regrets using the "Stealership" terminology where applicable. Once in awhile you will find a good one (High River, Rocky Mtn House), all too often they are total arsholes. I have no idea where the 5-star rating comes from.

 

[Maximus]

I have never seen a Dodge dealer which wasn't 5 star!



Anybody ever seen one?

 

[emjay]

I have. From my experience, the dealers that have the five star rating take it pretty seriously. They always told me if I couldn't answer "excellent" to every question on any post-sales or service survey, they wanted me to call them before I sent it in, ostensibly to change my mind. That's why I do my own work whenever possible.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Originally posted by emjay

I have. From my experience, the dealers that have the five star rating take it pretty seriously. They always told me if I couldn't answer "excellent" to every question on any post-sales or service survey, they wanted me to call them before I sent it in, ostensibly to change my mind. That's why I do my own work whenever possible.

That's interesting - sounds like a potential source of leverage.

 

[Blu-meanie]

I trashed the dealership when I filled my last one out... . they don't send them to me anymore.

Do crappy work, get a crappy report card.

 

[dseabaugh]

Don't they call them five star stealers after they have lied, cheated, crooked , fanagled and stolen from enough people that they have finally had their jaws jacked enough times to see stars?

 

[kozowski]

Originally posted by Maximus

I have never seen a Dodge dealer which wasn't 5 star!



Anybody ever seen one?

My local dealer, Courtney Motors, is not a 5 star and they're the best dealer I've ever worked with, especially the service dept.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Nick,

Here is some more info for you. Warranties

 

[bignick33]

Thanks guys for all of your help.

Nick