Dealer Voided Differential Warranty

[John Berger]

Dealer update: I just spent 15 minutes talking to the local dealer and they are going to void the warranty on the differential as long as the Mag-Hytec and the Amsoil are on the truck. No matter what logic I used to respond to each of his positions the bottom line is he said he is not willing to risk an audit where he gets billed because Chrysler decides that the work should not have been done under warranty. Sounds like a chicken I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER explanation to me, but one I have to live with as I am not willing to put the factory cover on and factory fluid back in my differential. I almost felt sorry for the guy, but not quite. I'm taking the truck to another service station here in town and have them install the seal. They don't use dealer parts unless they have to. I don't know whether aftermarket parts are made by the same people that make factory parts, but that is the least of my concerns. I guess I am my own warranty station. I wish I would have known that when I elected to get the extended warranty. I will never buy another Chrysler product from a dealer again. I decided a long time ago to never purchase a new vehicle. This episode just reinforces that decision. I will take this to Chrysler after I get the repair done. The dealer is basically out of the picture. It's amazing to me that when things are going bad for you (i. e. Chrysler) they continue to find ways to make it worse instead of better. Never does make sense. Sorry for the long rant. By the way, the dealer is Bennett Chrysler Dodge in Kingsland, Georgia.

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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2wd; 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec differential cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Stewart Warner Fuel Pressure Gauge with dual senders, Westach Oil Temp Gauge for differential. Rancho 9000's on order, PowerEdge EZ Box, Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics in the motor and differential. Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

[This message has been edited by John Berger (edited 05-11-2001). ]

 

[Ramafid]

I think you will get reimbursed for your expenses to have the diff fixed. DC has to prove the Amsoil and Mag-Hytec caused the problem. As far as I know the rear seals are problematic. You might want to contact DC first and see what happens. Might be easier to have them fix it than get your money back.

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Y2K 2500 4x4 SLT AUTO 3. 54 LSD HD241 FOREST GREEN/DRIFTWOOD

 

[John Berger]

I contacted DC. The guy at the service station said he didn't want to touch it because he thinks it should be a warranty issue. He said he was a Chrysler Service Manager for seven years and it sounds like this dealer is being a jerk. So I contacted DC and they said the same thing that the dealer said. I say, "So I'm out of luck. You're telling me that I have no warranty?" He said that I needed to have the dealer contact Chrysler on the service contract and this particular problem. Their serve. I'm waiting.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Did you try going to a different Dodge dealer?. And they have to PROVE what you did caused the problem. Let them try and prove that a fancy cover will ruin your seals. I would call DC directly and tell them your dealer refuses to honor your warranty and the the service guy treated you like an As*. Watch how fast DC headquarters gets involved. And if they are a 5 star dealer, it will happen twice as fast

 

[DOWG]

How on earth, could increasing the gear oil volume (Mag-Hytec) and using a better gear oil (Amzoil) cause the problem? These guys build trucks and understand maintenance? My left front seal went out at about 40,000 miles (leaking). The service tech tried to tell me oil was also leaking from the rear pinion seal at the rear of the front differential. I pointed out the crankcase blow-by hose... and he stormed off. Speaking of the differential, DC changed my gear oil and didn't tighten the bolts or the valve covers (valve adjustment). I am at 75,000+ miles and my truck has not seen the dealer since right before the 36,000 mile drop dead date. I now do all my own work; the truck is in better shape now than when I bought it; no thanks to DC.

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1998 Driftwood Extended Cab,Short Box,12 Valve,4X4,Auto,Dunrite TC,3. 54,fuel Plate,AFC Spring Kit,Isspro EGT,Rickson 19. 5's,Abbott EPRA, Rancho Shocks,Heim Trackbar,Mag-Hytec transmission Pan & Pumpkin Cover,Amzoil Synthetic's,Ranchhand Bull Nose Front Bumper, Headache Rack,Tool Chest,Side Steps,Rear Bumper and 100% Stock Airconditioning.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

John, it's time to become a squeeky wheel - a VERY squeeky wheel. First go to this page - http://www.amsoil.com/products/gearlubes/index.htm and print out the spec sheet on the lube your using. Then go to your owners manual in the maintaining your vehicle section under Rear axle lubricant level then under lubricant selection where it says "Multipurpose gear oils meeting specification API GL-5 are recommended for all axles. Mopar Hypoid Lubricant is an oil of this type and is recommended. " Then look in your owners manual in the towing section under starting and operating and point out to him where it says "Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant - If you plan to utilize your vehicle to pull a trailer for a significant number of miles, reduce the potential for rear axle overheating by replacing the rear axle lubricant with an SAE 75W140 sythetic gear lubricant. Mopar Synthetic Gear Lubricant is of this type. " Point out that you ARE running a synthetic oil as RECOMMENDED by D/C AND that the oil you are running meets GL-5 also AS RECOMMENDED by D/C. Then ask him how a differential cover could possibly cause an axle seal leak when you are using an approved fluid? Also point out that you will contact D/C's customer service center over and over until you receive satisfaction and that if he does not take care of you then he is virtually guaranteed to be "audited". If you still do not get satisfaction from the service guy talk directly to the owner of the dealership. Give those things a try and let us know how they turn out.



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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, TST Powermax3, 275hp RV injectors, Joe Donnelly modifed Sachs Clutch, SS ladder bars, SW fuel pressure gauge, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's, (all the common stuff clipped)

 

[John Berger]

I'm on it Steve. I told the dealer that they needed to contact DC about the problem. The dealer tells me that I have to drop the truck off to them and 24-48 hrs from that time, the inspector will show up and make an evaluation. I guess I will do this on Monday, which gives me time to get all of the paperwork organized. What a pain in the a$$. I get to park my truck on the dealer's lot for 2 days and hope that this is decided in my favor. They will give me a rental with up to 30 bucks a day. That's better than nothing, but still a pain in the a$$. Is there anybody in close proximity that wants to help me change out a seal? I would rather do this myself, I just don't have the tools. What tools are needed to change out a pinion seal? Aaaarrgghhhh!!!! #ad
#ad
#ad
Like somebody else mentioned, I wouldn't be surprised if the seal was bad or they put it in dry or torqued it improperly.

[This message has been edited by John Berger (edited 05-11-2001). ]

 

[lschultz]

I would say you had bad seal. They seen the cover on it and that you have amsoil and are making a *** of there selves. Don't mess with the little *** -----,go to the owner of the place and tell hime the way it is. Where are you at?You need to get a bunch of trucks together with chains and pull that place down to the ground. Good luck. Stand up for your rights.

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2000 Dodge 4x4 Quad Cab SWB 5-SP
2001 VW NB TDI
AMSOIL(#504865) DEALER & USER

 

[MikeR]

You mention above that you have an extended warranty. You paid extra for this,and as far as I remember,the dealer has no right voiding extended warranties provided by chryco or any other contract company. One thing is for certain... extended warranty companies DO NOT ask for defective parts back... so what is this dealers problem in just doing the work?

If I were you,I'd simply find another dealer,tell them upfront you want the part replaced under your extended warranty and pay the deductable.
If you think your extended contract is no good to you anymore,get ahold of the dealer that sold it to you and tell them you want a prorated refund of the warrany you didn't use.

-Mike

 

[John Berger]

As far as my extended warranty is concerned it was a choice of $300. 00 and a toolbox or the 5/100K drivetrain warranty. I will assume the cost is $300. 00. An examination of my financial paperwork does not reveal this cost being added to the price, it was a limited offer available for about 6 months in 1999 for business owners who purchased trucks. I'm not sure there would be anything to refund. My options are limited at this exact point in time. I plan on calling two other dealers to find out what their approach would be. If one of the two that I call decides to fix the truck, I will still go after this dealer through Chrysler and with whatever means I can accomplish locally. It's going to be a fun weekend #ad
The worst part about all of this is that this is such a simple fix that doesn't have to involve anybody but me and the dealer. This is the way to make satisfied customers and become a 5 star dealer.

[This message has been edited by John Berger (edited 05-11-2001). ]

 

[Mopar-muscle]

its possible that the amsoil is part of the proble m , before you amsoil lovers jump hy a$$ here me out . the amsoil being a synthetic is thinner by design , thats part of whats makes it less suseptible to thickening with colder temps . the fact that it is thinner is also allowing it to leak past a seal with a bit of a loose clearance .

i have a bad taste from using MOBIL 1 634 here at work in our antenna gear boxes . the stuff leaks past everything including a seal that is the same as that used on the output shaft of a helicopter engine , seal is $360 a pop , also leaked past NPT plugs with teflon tape on them . we live with the cold weather decrease in antenna performance because i'm tired of cleaning oil leaks .

the reason there was a groove in your seal is DC's fault , i don't know when they did it but there used to be a dust sheild on their rears from the factory , it was on the yoke and it kept the dirt and crap off the seal area , in one of their wonderful cost cutting moves to save maybe a buck this dust sheild was eliminated . i'm going to do some digging , measure the yoke diameter and see if it is the same as my old dana 60 stuff , or if the dust sheild is still in the system as a part for a late 780's dana 70 part .

go to the bonehead service manager and get the refusal in writing , i bet he changes his tune on at least the cover , there is no way they can prove the cover is causing this problem , and it will be hard to prove that its the amsoil .

 

[John Berger]

MM, I considered that and if the dealer had been reasonable I might have been willing to work something out. I don't want to make enemies, I much prefer friendship and respect, especially when it involves someone working on my things. The Amsoil and Mag-Hytec have been in/on the truck since July of 1999. The truck was eating tailshaft housing seals about every 18K miles. This last tailshaft housing seal (the 4th) was the first time they looked at the yoke and the bushing. I know this because they recommended it for repair. But it took four seals. The pinion seal was fine with Amsoil until 31K miles when this same dealer replaced it under warranty. They had no problems replacing the seal this time under warranty. I think they just totally screwed up the install. It was leaking while it sat in my driveway. I wiped it off last night after driving it and by this morning there was a nice thick film running from the bottom of the yoke all the way back to the Mag-Hytec. I don't believe synthetic fluid is the culprit here. If that were so, why aren't others complaining. I think I just got bad seals and yokes from the factory and the dealer doesn't want to live up to their end of the service contract. I'm not above suspecting any synthetic for finding seams in seals that conventional fluids don't, I just don't think it's the case here. Your point is well taken, however. #ad


[This message has been edited by John Berger (edited 05-14-2001). ]

 

[NVR FNSH]

John,
From personal experience the problem is the service writer/manager. Take the truck to another dealer. If they say it is not covered under warranty then ask to have the DC zone tech rep take a look at the vehicle. You will not get satisfactory resolution from the current dealer - the dealer has to request the tech rep and this won't happen based on my experience.

Brian

 

[Max Wedge]

A good freind of mine (will go nameless here) works as a diesel tech at dealership said, "dealers are trying to VOID anything to get the customer to pay fro repairs, because Dealers make more on parts mark up and labor. " He used to be able to fix trucks with minor BOMBING to engines under warrantee--but NO more as the service manager is instructed to take a fine tooth comb over ALL deisel trucks that enter serice doors.

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Y2K Black 3500 4x4 SLT+ Leather ETC/DGA DMF/DSA Luverne SST Bars
'64 Plymouth 426 III (Max Wedge)
'79 Chrysler 300 T-Tops NRA Member

 

[TORQUED]

according to the law a manufacture must supply all fluids free if they want to requier their own to be used .

 

[BK]

Mike,
thats true, but he changed his the fluid to his own preference... DC does not have to honor that, all they have todo is put in the factory stock stuff (like you said(, which he doesnt want...
just means he has to go home and drain and refill the system, or supply them with the oil he wants (as I mentioned)... if they cant prove it caused the problem and aggree it meets or exceeds their specs and requirements.

 

[John Berger]

I talked to another dealer, Carl Gregory Dodge in Brunswick, Georgia. First words out of the service manager's mouth were "Chrysler recommends synthetic gear lubes". Since I went and called Chrysler and got them involved he told me a red flag would fly if they tried to fix the seal under warranty with a different dealer. Since I don't like the options with the local dealer, I'm going to foot the bill and have Carl Gregory Dodge fix the truck on Monday. I'll probably be out a bit of a hundred bucks but that's fine as the seal will be fixed. I knew I should have went to see these guys in the first place, but circumstances at work and the time involved conspired against me. Lesson learned. The service manager there told me not to take the truck to this dealer in town anymore. He told me he gets alot of service work from both of the dealerships that are owned by Bennett (Dodge and Chevy). What's that tell you. I'll spend the hundred bucks and have piece of mind, but I am going to stick it to this dealer as hard as I can. And they will not get a dime of my money or the money of as many people as I can try to sway. Unbelievable. A high performance cover is causing the problem. Thanks for all of the input, it will be put to good use nailing this dealer. It's sad that it has to come to something like this. Used to be that in America a contract was a sacred oath. Not anymore. Oh well, enough of that.

 

[NVR FNSH]

John,
I must disagree that a red flag will be raised by taking it to another dealer. In my case there were letters to the dealer (GET in Long Beach, CA) & DC on record and the other dealer got the zone rep involved and ~$2500 was done UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. The problem was the Service Mgr.

It may only be $100 but you'll feel much better if it's done under warranty.

Brian

 

[jwgary]

What I think he is trying to do is save himself from messing up your M-H pan. Do you really trust that the service guys are going to be extra careful in cleaning the sealing surface and getting that o-ring back in there? He doesn't want the hassle of when his guys mess up that he has to pay for the lost fluid and time to get the cover to seal right.

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B I G O R A N G E AMBER-FIRE (BURNT ORANGE) / BRITE SILVER 2001(. 5), 2500, SLT, Q-CAB 4x4, SWB, AUTO, 3. 55, LSD, TOWING PACKAGE
ADD-ON'S: LINE-X, 1/4" STEEL LONGHORN HITCH COVER, WESTIN NERF BARS, YELLOW-TOP OPTIMAS

 

[PUFF00]

Everyone who keeps chanting, “The dealer has to PROVE that the aftermarket part caused the failure,” please SHUT UP!

The dealer doesn’t have to prove anything unless you take them to court. Dealers exploit the fact that the probability is extremely low that a customer will sue them. They will void warranties at will, knowing that the legal fees are probably much more than the repair, and that you will eventually back down.

What would be great is for the members of the TDR to contribute to a Legal Fee Fund that could be used to help people sue DC and the dealers. I say we do it, and I’ll be the first one to donate $50 to the fund.


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2001. 5 3500 QC 4X4 6-speed HO 3. 55 black
1998 Jeep TJ black http://www.nm4w.org/members/puffer.htm