posted
This is his third attempt at getting warranty work on the differential which has spun a bearing, presumeably from an "oops" install from the factory that builds them.
The first 2 dealers "refused" to work on it. The first one said it was heavily modified and refused to work on it, because of the suspension mods, what a joke. They even told him it voided warranty on the entire car. The second dealer just said they don't want to work on it, with no reason given, they didn't even mention mods, they just didn't want to work on it. Needless to say it left him really pissed off.
He called around and found a dealer that actually said that the mods did NOT affect the warranty on the differential and that they would work on it. He dropped it off this morning and he talked to the service manager who again said it was covered by warranty. Hopefully it will all go well and it will get repaired or replaced under warranty as it should.
I don't see how dealers that refuse to do warranty work can keep GM approval to even be a GM dealer. The car booklet even states that a dealer can refuse to do warranty work for any reason. So if any dealer can refuse to work on any car for any reason, doesn't that mean we actually do NOT have a warranty from GM????
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Kevin Villier, 2002 SS #186 - 6M with Hurst and "short-stick", TT, navy blue, chrome SS wheels, Bilstein suspension, SS grill, BMR STB, BMR chrome-moly panhard rod, SLP loudmouth, Direct-Flo lid with Holley Power Shot filter, mallory polished MAF ends, 4.10 gears, PPC LT's. 336 rwhp, 345 rwtq
quote: I don't see how dealers that refuse to do warranty work can keep GM approval to even be a GM dealer. The car booklet even states that a dealer can refuse to do warranty work for any reason. So if any dealer can refuse to work on any car for any reason, doesn't that mean we actually do NOT have a warranty from GM????
...maybe ignorance on my part, ...but I honestly didn't know they could refuse to do warranty work...???
Kevin
Posts: 1046 | From: Pine Bush, NY USA | Registered: Aug 2001
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Hey Kevin, really glad to hear that your son's car is going to get fixed. I guess you found your new dealer that you'll get your cars serviced at! Just sorry about the whole mess. I dont get the refusing warranty work as well. Maybe Scott could enlighten us.
Let us know how it turns out!
Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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Well, he got it back, they said the spun bearing did cause some marring BUT that it was normal???? So they didn't do anything with it, but they did replace an axle bearing and seal that was NOT broken???? Guess they wanted to make sure they got paid for their time. Guess he'll just have to take it to a friend who is GREAT with differentials and see what he thinks, and if it needs repairing he'll just have to pay him to do it. Posts: 763 | From: Louisville, KY | Registered: Jun 2001
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Well, he checked his wheels and found that they lied about checking both wheels, even though that wasn't the problem in the first place. The right side was torqued at 100# (not even any fingerprints on the wheel) but the left side they replaced the bearing and seal was tightened on at over 150#, they also way over tightened his chrome caps and broke a couple and put a couple of cheapies on there hoping he wouldn't notice. He also checked the diff and said it looks like they never removed the cover to check it, which is what he took it in for. A mechanic buddy said that once a bearing has spun and caused damage that even replacing the bearing wouldn't work properly because of the damage already done. He said the diff needs to be replaced or the problem will keep happening. Apparently the cap was loose, allowing the bearings to spin. He tightened it up before replacing the fluid and cover. He said when he changed the fluid, that the metal shavings were even noticeable in the fluid, that it was that bad. Are GM mechanics just that incompetent?? Dealers don't want to do warranty work, others are incompetent, it is rediculous.
He is going to go back to the service manager and tell him what he found and see exactly what the heck they did/didn't do. He needs to get a case number and start fighting this. But even if he gets it finally fixed, the will be no way to really be sure they did it right, from the experience with dealers he has had so far.
Wonder if there is a way to have a competetant mechanic do the work and charge GM for it???
Posts: 763 | From: Louisville, KY | Registered: Jun 2001
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Only as a last resort and it will take much negotiating with Dealer/Customer Service/GM before they will ever authorize it[if ever] .
Posts: 558 | From: Loretteville,Mars | Registered: Feb 2002
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Been there, seen that. After 3 botched repairs at the same GM dealer at great expense to me (each repair averaged out to about $1,200 CDN....they refused to warranty their own work.....that is whole other conversation). I took the car to another shop (shop is in the Ottawa area that was recommended to me by the F-Body guys here and it is not a dealer) and I finally got it fixed....right.
When the shop took it apart (with 700 kms on the last botched repair) they found that the carrier was installed crooked, the backlash was in the range of 0.080 to 0.090 inches (that is NOT a typo), the contact pattern went down to the root of the gear teeth and went off the end of the teeth, the case hardening had worn off of the face of the teeth, the carrier bearings had spun in the axle housing and one of the carrier bearing shims was in three pieces. When it all came apart we found that on one of the carrier bearing races the bearing surface was galled, and there were irrepearable gouges on the axle housing surface where the carrier bearing shims seat. It looked liked a big hammer had been used to install the carrier with such force that it gouged the axle shim seat, broke the shim, and a bearing had impacted into the outer race running surface. This was all done by a GM dealer.
The repair was to replace the entire rear axle with a re-manufactured axle assembly with new 4:10 gears (my third set in as many months). ARE was most helpful in getting me new gear sets on an overhnight basis. Absolutely great service.
One interesting note, is that the shop that did this work gave me the car back a day later than expected. The reason: when he was installing the gears the backlash was out by 0.0005 inches and he did not have the correct shims so new ones had to ordered. They are perfectionists and it is really appreciated. This repair has been rock solid for the last 20,000+ kms.
Kevin, I can appreciate what your son is going through and I really hope he can get it resolved without the aggravation I went through. I would not wish that on anyone.
Bill M 98 TA
Posts: 383 | From: Oakville, Ontario Canada | Registered: Jan 2003
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quote:Wonder if there is a way to have a competetant mechanic do the work and charge GM for it???
No....
Where the heck do you live the back woods? You need to quit going to hillbilly dealers! Stay away from dealers with dirt floors! Posts: 1045 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Nov 2001
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I would recommend driving the car till the rear end fails... then they'll have to fix it. Aparently none of the places you have gone so far have a rear end tech....
Posts: 1045 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Nov 2001
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He probably will just get it fixed by our mechanic as best as possible and drive it until it completely breaks down. If the dealers won't replace it then, he'll either just replace it himself or we'll put my rear end in his car and Daddy will get a new 12-bolt for the SS.
I appreciate all the feedback and support.
Posts: 763 | From: Louisville, KY | Registered: Jun 2001
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