Warranty work with BOMBed truck

[smilliron]

First off, thanks to you all for the information I've obtained from lurking around here for almost a year now. I've got a question for any of you that have taken a BOMBed truk in for Warranty work.



My clock spring is just about gone, it's been grinding around for a while now. My first problem is that I don't really let anyone touch my truck to work on it as I don't trust anyone with it, specially the dealer. So my question is, gamble on taking the truck in for a new clock spring, and hope that they don't notice how it shifts now... since I *could* take out the Comp... but can't really undo the transmission upgrades. OR, say screw it all and just buy the stinkin clock spring for a little under $100 and do it myself. I'm leaning towards option number two. . anyone know where to get cheap dealer parts?



Thanks for any info / opinions.



--Sam

 

[LSMITH]

There is no reason for them to drive it other than into the sevice bay and back out into the lot. The clockspring is something they are used to doing, they can problably do one with their eyes closed. I would turn the comp off and take it it. I would schedule it in though and wait while it was done. Then you know it never leaves the lot.



The simple reality is that your engine and drivetrain warranty is gone. All the other parts of the truck should be covered though.

 

[MikeR]

What's the worst they could say... "Your warranty is voided"? You're already figuring that, so what have you got to loose.

By law everything but the engine and drivetrain should still be covered.

 

[Ram4Sam]

oem parts discount

Sam, check out Carl's page at www.wwcd2.com there is a dealer offering parts at a discount.



Sam

 

[Whitmore]

Sam , I took my rig in for the clock spring and when I made the appointment I told the stealer that I was going to stay with the truck the whole time, they told me no problem, they did the job in 45 minutes and did'nt have to lift the hood, the mechanic asked me about the gages and we talked about them but I never mentioned bombs, the mechanic told me he put 275 injectors in his truck and gained 1. 5 mpg so that was the topic until he was done, I told him when my warrenty is up I may do some mods too ... ... ... ..... Kevin

 

[smilliron]

Thanks for the help!!

Hey thanks a lot for all the info / opinions guys. I do know my warranty is gone for engine / drivetrain... just don't want them to note that in my record (not sure why really). And I really don't want the monkeys workin on it or driving it... heard too many stories. Thanks Sam for the tip on the discount OEM parts, going to get one from there I think and do it myself. . it's worth the couple bucks. Also tried the stay by the truck one... they shot that one down saying they can't do that because of insurance reasons... . makes it an easier decision.



Thanks again,



--Sam

 

[HeberRam]

Smilliron... Be careful if you take to dealer... They may fix it alright, however, they could also put in a notation in the computer that the truck appeared modified. Therefore no matter where you go it's in there! If you do decide to have them do it make sure you get a copy of your file before you leave... My $. 02

 

[pwr2tow]

Just a little advise from me, DC can void your whole warranty, they did mine and until someone comes up with the money to prove DC wrong it's still voided.

Ron



P. S. I'am over 36,000 miles now so I guess it's DC's problem to get me to buy another product from them includeing parts.

 

[chuck3]

Clockspring.

I think they would have to fix it no matter because the clockspring is a safety item as it disables your Air Bags once it breaks.

 

[Bigsaint]

I agree with Chuck and I feel your pain, Sam, as I went down that path this summer. Decided that I shouldn't disregard the notice of recall and brought my truck in for the warranty replacement on the clock spring (even though I had no problems with the existing clockspring). There's little way for me to hide my BOMB's as the 6" stack kinda tells the tale, if you know what I mean. Guess I could have tried throwing a wet towel over it before pulling into the lot , but I didn't. Well, I get there and park it outside while speaking to the service manager and he says bring it right in... . so in I go, with the stack snorting and the injectors doing their ritual 'romp, romp, romp'. Everyone in the shop turned and looked . Most of the techs. came over and looked at my truck ( hood was in the down position, not that mattered), giving compliments and asking about the gauges I had added ( oh yeah, I also have a FP gauge mounted on the hood ). I stayed and spoke with the tech. while he exchanged the clockspring, got to learn a little more about the truck in the process while watching him disassembly the steering wheel. Sure I wouldn't have been welcomed with the open arms if I came in for a VP44 replacement.



Anyway, before I ramble anymore, I know in my heart, as do you, that the warranty is toast. Just something about the finality (sp) of seeing it on paper that none of us want to experience. Thought you might appreciate my short story.



Scott W.

 

[SteveAZ]

Personally not knowing whats really involved in changing the clockspring, wouldn't mess with it only due to the airbag. Thats too costly to screw with.



Dealer fixed mine, took 30 40 minutes. no biggie.

 

[Hammer]

I myself am now getting ready to deal with this head on also,,After chatting with my local dealer it was simply stated this way,,ANY factory recall that HAS to be done because it was FEDERALLY MANDATED,HAS to be performed on ALL vechicles NO MATTER if the vechicles factory warranty has been VOIDED by dealer(I'll get back to that later) or it has been expired,,Upon checking to see what recalls were incomplete on my 98 I was informed this,,Now I also found that the dealer HAS no AUTHORITY to void a trucks warranty,BUT,CAN refuse to perform ANY warranty work on any vechicle that has been deemed "modified"(there is a service bulletin out on this),,One other thing we have found out,and I'm not sure how many realize this or not,,Diesel Dale and I have been looking at this warranty stuff for a few weeks now(as he's looking for a truck to replace his recenty sold dually) and I'm looking into another problem we found,,ANYONE who installs a snowplow onto a truck WITHOUT the snowplow prep group on it VOIDS ALL WARRANTIES(Cummins included),PERIOD!!!,,What he has found between the differences in a Non-plow prep truck and a Plow prep is so small its amazing(only difference being the placement of the airbag sensors and charging us $150 from factory to do this and make it a "plow prep" truck),,Seems like DC has got their "right to void" act in all places and the "grey" areas apply as much to a stock truck as a modified truck,,One thing to keep in mind though that any federally mandated recalls they HAVE to do and you(due to mods, have already been denied warranty work)still have the RIGHT legally to have them done,this is a saftey issue and not a warranty issue...

 

[SteveAZ]

You'll have the same problem with Ford and GM too.