Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) transmission rebuilt--and damaged

[nutter3]

I had my transmission rebuilt in June after I burned up all the clutches in it. The local transmission shop rebuilt it with a new ATS torque converter and heavy duty clutches. I thought they had done a good job until yesterday. :{ While installing a temperature probe I noticed the damage they did.



They either broke the ear off the transmission case while installing it or when the transmission was on the floor. Whatever the reason, you can see from the picture it was broken prior to them tightening the bolt. The bolt head was distorted and the washer it tight still. I think if the ear broke off after the bolt was installed, then the bolt and washer would now be loose. It is NOT loose now.



The transmission shop is going to inspect it tomorrow and let me kow what they will do about it. I think they will replace the case.

What does everyone here think?



Thanks,

Andre

 

[Nyoest]

I wouldn't settle for anything less than the case getting replaced. It looks as if the bolt is bent as well, that could only happen if the case was broke then they tightened it. It's too bad that happened but if they're a stand up shop you shouldn't have any trouble. ,

 

[fox]

It could be the converter wasn't all the way in and they tried to draw it in by the bolts. WRONG way to do it. It can damage the pump.

 

[JR2]

I guess that shop goes off the very short list of places to get your transmission repaired in Anchorage. Ugh sorry to see that. I would make them replace the case, let us know what happens

 

[JR2]

Any news yet?

 

[Nate]

Very short list? There's at least 10-15 shops around town, if not more. I have good service from Hansens. Just got my truck back yesterday actually.

 

[JR2]

The short list is of who I would "let" work on my transmission. Never been to Hansens, how did they do and what did they do?

 

[nutter3]

Well after they had the truck from 0730-1700 yesterday they finally looked at it. They said they didnt do it, and could not explain why the bolt was bent and still tight. They agreed to pull the transmission and have a new ear welded on. I'm not sure what the material of the transmission case is, does anyone know? I do know if the welding procedure is done correctly that it can be alot stronger than the parent material, but only if they know what they are doing. Anyone have a transmission case welded?

I already have a really bad feeling about this guy I'm dealing with and am not confident about their welding skills. He was not straight forward with me about a few things (like when he sent my torque converter core to ATS)

 

[Nate]

I lost 2nd gear... strut was found lying in the bottom of the transmission. They pulled the transmission apart... (rebuilt last Nov by A-Accurate) to make sure all was well. Put it together, and out the door. I dropped it off Thursday afternoon and it was ready on Tuesday.



Nutter... what shop you dealing with?

 

[tractorface]

Are we to understand that the shop that did this is an authorized ATS installer?

 

[JR2]

Are we to understand that the shop that did this is an authorized ATS installer?

I do not belive there is an "authorized" ATS installer in Alaska. (for the record there is not a DTT or Gorend or or or or installer in AK). There are a couple of places that sell the trannies but they farm out the installs. We are on our own up here in AK. We are all used to it and we have to find a "good" shop ourselves.



Back to the problem at hand. Nutter you had better make that guy give you a new case, it HAS to be his guys that broke it. Don't take NO for an answer. If he wants to weld it tell him you will see him in court. I swear transmission shops are the sleeziest of all auto repair places. Did you use some oilfield talk with him??



Call ATS and ask them if they think that is an acceptable fix for a 400 HP truck and transmission.



Good luck buddy, give me a call when you get back to work.

 

[nutter3]

tractorface, no, ATS does not have an authorized installer in Alaska.

Nate, they're on boniface if that gets you close enough. i'll pm you if you want their name.



does anyone know of anybody who has a welded transmission case? wondering how it will hold up. i dont think the transmission will fall out even if you are missing several of the ears, but i sure dont want to leave it like it is.

 

[nutter3]

John,

I agree, I'm not happy at all, but going to court will cost way more than a new transmission. Unless you have a free lawyer for me.

I'll be leaving it all in my wifes hands, as I am going to work tomorrow. She is WAY meaner than I am :-{} . She'll treat them like the sons of beaches they are.

 

[tractorface]

We are on our own up here in AK. We are all used to it and we have to find a "good" shop ourselves.

Isn't that why you live in Alaska in the first place :-laf I admire you folks up there and really wish I was there as well.



Good luck with your transmission.

 

[JR2]

I admire you folks up there and really wish I was there as well.



Come on up, we have plenty of room. Just make sure your transmission is taken care of before you get here.





Nutter - I will have my wife hook up with your wife and bring along the baby. Nothing like two ****** off women with a crying baby to make someome do what you want. If that don't work I can loan you my Dad. He has a way of getting what he wants out of people like this.



Nate - Its the shop next the tool rental place on Bonniface.



John

 

[nps]

John,

I agree, I'm not happy at all, but going to court will cost way more than a new transmission. Unless you have a free lawyer for me.

I'll be leaving it all in my wifes hands, as I am going to work tomorrow. She is WAY meaner than I am :-{} . She'll treat them like the sons of beaches they are.

Take them to small claims court if they don't do the right thing. In small claims, you can typically sue for up to $5,000-$7,500, don't need a lawyer, and just need to convince the judge that a) the break is new, and b) the break could not have been done by any other shop or person or accident or etc.



Get a reputable mechanic to go with you if it comes to that. I'd recommend the same mechanic that will do your new case (again assuming your shop fails to do the right thing).

 

[Lsfarm]

Ear on Trans case

That ear has a machined recess around the bolt hole to go over that alignment locator tube you see around the bolt. There are two of these alignment hole/tube/guides on the trans.



Without the alignment guide the case and TC are not likely to be aligned with the engine and this can cause excess wear on the pump bushings, and cause flex plate breakage.



Just welding on an ear is NOT going to get you a correctly machined hole in the ear for the guide pin/tube, and there is NOWHERE to get a jig to make a correctly aligned guide. Unless you can send the case back to the factory for drilling on the original jig.



This damage can be caused by nothing other than incompetent instalation and a Ham-Fisted non-caring installer. !!!



They owe you a new case. Take nothing less, The big problem is that the guy who has to build the next trans with the new case is probably going to be working for free, and your trans is going to be slapped together in 'record time'.



I'd sue them in small claims for the cost of a case, and the labor for a DIFFERENT trans tech to build the trans up with the new case.



Just my Opinions Greg L

 

[nutter3]

Thanks for all the replys. I believe we will be following the advice given. Either get a new transmission case or sue in small claims. We will get a different shop to look at the damage next week and give their opinion on how that ear could break off.

Thanks guys. And if anyone with lots of transmission building expereince wants, I have more pictures of the bent bolt to look at if it would help.

 

[JR2]

Nutter -

There are two places I would consider having look at your transmission. One is Anchorage Chrysler and the other is Transmission World behind Anchorage Chrysler next to Big-O's. The transmission tech at AC who did my transmission has done two or three ATS setups and Transmission World did my first DTT set up. There is another shop in Wasilla that is supposed to be good and I can get the name of it if you want. Check your PM's as I am sending you one.



John

 

[nutter3]

My wife took the truck to Transmission World today and got a free estimate and their written "theory" on how it happened. They stated that as the bolt is tightened more than the thickness of the ear, then the bolt had to be tightned after the ear was missing. Basically backing mine and everyone elses thoughts.

Louise then took the truck to the shop that broke it and he read the diagnosis from transmission World and said "SO". Well after some talking he asked what we wanted. A new case. He agreed to a used case. I am fine with that, since we didnt have a new case before he got his hands on it. But it has to be a used case in good condition. So I will be calling him tomorrow and try to get this ball rolling. At least we're making progress.

Thanks for the support and ideas.

Andre