Transfer Case

[Vaman]

I have to share (vent) this story... About a year after buying my truck, I started seeing transfer case fluid on my garage floor every morning. Well, after bringing my truck into the 5 Star Dodge dealer 9 (yes 9!) times, I insisted on arbitration. They tried a bunch of things to try to stop the leak and nothing helped. After the 9th visit, they wanted to modify the seal spring and I told them to forget it... if a stock seal spring worked in every other truck out there it should work in mine and I wanted a new transfer case. Here's the beautiful part... five minutes into arbitration, the district manager say it's not fixed because I won't let them! I guess they get an unlimited number of tries. Anyhow, ended up getting a new transfer case and it's been fine. The quality control on my truck was absolutely terrible... many, many issues. The only saving grace was my Cummins engine and then the EPA ECM change even fixed that. Still love my engine but it hasn't been the same since (I told the same dealer I didn't want the ECM change done and they "mistakenly" did it). Through it all, though, I wouldn't trade my Cummins for anything... go figure. #ad
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98. 5 2500, 24v, QC, 4x4, 410 LSD, short bed, tow package, camper suspension, camper shell, TST PowerMax3, 275 RVs, EGT/Boost pillar gauges... Love my Cummins, no love for Dodge

 

[Guest00]

Showed their sorry a$$es . congrats.

 

[BK]

It took me three trips to get my tc fixed.
A few months after owning it, I saw drips on the driveway and found the under pan of the cab full of the transmission fluid thats in the tc.
They replaced the seal once, by the time I got home, the under belly was full of the fluid again. Called them back, back for another inspection. . they ordered a new driveshaft and another seal. On the third trip back, they put in the whole new driveshaft and seal. They only filled the tc up to within an inch of the fill hole. Get ready for some more dealer Dookie, they said that the transmission fluid used "expands" a lot and causes the leaks to happen and lowering the fluid stops the leaks! What horse manure... . I changed the fluid last year. . and filled it up to the hole , it's been fine since. . The real problem was the crappy finish on the drive shaft yoke that slides into the seal of the tc. It's even in the FSM, to look for a bad finish on the yoke's shaft.
5 star dealers my @#$@.

 

[Vaman]

Your story almost duplicates mine. I never did find out what the issue was because I got a new transfer case. The seals were replaced several times along with an entire driveshaft. During arbitration I asked them why they never checked the vent... every time I drove it it would leak for a little bit and then stop (heated up, plugged vent, pressure builds, leaks out seals?). It was even one of the troubleshooting steps in the manual. They never checked it. The worse part was the district manager... after I brought my truck in 9 times for the same issue, he accused me of not letting them fix my truck by modifying the seal spring! I actually think he felt like they were doing me a favor by honoring the warranty. Again, no love for Dodge...

 

[illflem]

Vaman,if you are having quality control problems with your truck check the build date,if it says 01/02,try for a buy back. Those auto workers don't do a really good job the day after New Years.

 

[Tom C]

Good to see your sticking with your love. Cummins.

I used to drive chubbies. Then one day I got a brand new lemon chubby. took many many trips to the dealer to never get the truck fixed. I asked GM for a replacement truck (there was not one reaccuring fault but many different faults that just kept faultering). I ended up in arbitration. end result was my out of pocket expence to drive that truck for 13,000 miles in seven months was $49. 00. . I got the rest (interest, down payment, taxes, etc) back. except for insurance of course. I vouwed that I would never buy another chubby (and so far have not). I then lost respect for new vehicles. so I rebuilt a international terra pickup and drove it for a number of years before I decided to get a dodge with the cummins. I'm sure glad I did and probable will never change unless they really change the truck for the worst. I'm now on my second dodge/cummins and love it.

I have a little more patience now I guess. It's like buying a new home. your going to have to call the builder to get a few things they overlooked fixed from time to time. don't let one or tow items disurage you. But if its like that chubby I had (with 12 different problems)... RUN its a lemon.




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2001. 5 2500 4X4, QC, Auto, 3. 54 LSD, SLT, SWB, Trailer, Camper & Snow plow Packages, White, 35k# Cody Hitch, 20' Gooseneck Lowboy flat-bed Trailer.

 

[Vaman]

Sell it back to DC after I get all the quirks worked out? I don't think so... #ad

 

[Todd T]

I too, have had several problems with my "new" truck it all started at 12,000mi with the clutch linning coming off the pressure plate side. it took 11 1/2 days to get a clutch put in, and never once was I offered a rental. then two weeks latter I was under it looking for a noise I had been hearing, and found the NV4500 case was cracked and leaking, back to the shop. this time it was a 7MM socket inside the gearbox #ad
, new transmission. now i have a leak just as described above i wiped it off thinking it was from the transmission swap, it came back, and i am fearful of taking it back in, who knows what they will find... ... #ad


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Todd,
2001 Q-cab SB 4x4 5spd 3. 55's, A pillar Boost/EGT,Jardines 4" turboback kit, and more to come...