Blown Transmission

[SilverSurfer15]

OP... that sucks. Its kind of funny that it blew up immediately on the test drive, but its not a surprise. From personal experience, I have yet to see anyone real rebuild an auto transmission very well. Even the remans.... usually the best bet it to get another OEM one, whether new or junk yard. I assume they will just replace the transmission now and try to study that one in its current state. But who knows.. From a buyers perspective, if you the trans was replaced under warranty I wouldn't think twice about it. But with a "rebuild", I wouldn't buy it. Just my opinion.

What I ended up doing with my ecodiesel disaster, I talked to the GM of the dealership and told him I wasn't satisfied with the quality of the truck. He made some calls, anyways they offered me about 3k less than I paid for it, it was a year old and 10k miles so all and all not too bad! The only catch was I had to purchase a new truck from them, of similar value, from a selection of trucks that he gave me (mostly all of them) at current market price. Which still included all the rebates, MSRP on my hemi was 50,200 and I paid 39,900 (before taxes) so its not like I got railed on the new one either. You could approach the dealer and try to get a new cummins if you wanted to, you never know what they might offer. I mean obviously you have to be realistic, but it might be better than what you think. I would go around everyone else though and go to the head guy. The flunkie salesman isn't going to help you in any way lol.

My advice, do NOT mention the word lemon law lol. As soon as you do, things change. They will tell you to pound sand. Ive been down this road with GM and Chrysler, similar experiences. If you blow that whistle too soon, its a disaster.

 

[mowin]

Wow that really stinks. My 2011 GM had 2500 mi on it when the rear gear went out taking 1st and 2nd gear with it. GMG put a complete new rear axle assembly under it, but refused to give me a new tranny. So I had a new truck with a rebuilt tranny. Fast forward to March of 2014, and my rebuilt tranny started slipping. New Ram was in the driveway the following week.

Good luck. Don't blame you a bit for not trusting that tranny again. If you can afford it, dump it.

 

[Rustycowl69]

wow. times have changed. I remember a buddy of mine, Pat Blais, used to bench rebuild 3 spd TorqueFlites in an hour and a half, talking with you while you watched him do it. He must have done twenty for me. Only issue I remember having is a rebuilt torque converter failed. It was from a Corvair, I believe, so it kind of figured the only part to fail on my 67 Cuda bracket car, was a GM part.

 

[loveracing1988]

wow. times have changed. I remember a buddy of mine, Pat Blais, used to bench rebuild 3 spd TorqueFlites in an hour and a half, talking with you while you watched him do it. He must have done twenty for me. Only issue I remember having is a rebuilt torque converter failed. It was from a Corvair, I believe, so it kind of figured the only part to fail on my 67 Cuda bracket car, was a GM part.

People are a lot more paranoid these days.

 

[mowin]

People are a lot more paranoid these days.

No,. Trannys are a lot more complicated and computer run these days. Not just that, but what was the HP , torque for those 60's 70's motors...

 

[loveracing1988]

No,. Trannys are a lot more complicated and computer run these days. Not just that, but what was the HP , torque for those 60's 70's motors...

No, they really aren't. More computer controlled sure, but they still have the same exact components from when they first started making automatics. They still have bands and clutches that hold different aspects of different planetary gearsets. The only difference is now there are more gears so more components, but they are still the same.

 

[mtofell]

From a buyers perspective, if you the trans was replaced under warranty I wouldn't think twice about it. But with a "rebuild", I wouldn't buy it. Just my opinion.

Yep, this is exactly where I'm at.... and for me owning the truck moving forward is the same thing. 2X rebuild = I'm never going to rest well. New tranny = no worries at all.

I was already skeptical about the initial rebuild. Now that the first rebuild failed I would be even more skeptical if they actually get it moving again with the same tranny. I have to think since the first rebuild failed they'll just replace it but who knows? Within some reason the $$ isn't may main worry here. I have the Maxcare lifetime warranty and if I have to switch trucks it is what it is. Mainly, I just want my truck back fixed right or want to dump it and move on. I really do HATE the bath you take trading in though.

I've been shopping new trucks and as crazy as it sounds will probably go with another Ram but likely a diesel this time. I realize this experience is super rare and won't let it ruin my objectivity when shopping for a new truck. Trust me, I've been looking for a reason to jump brands

Hell, I should make a Ram commercial

 

[mtofell]

Got a surprise call this afternoon and got my truck back. Overall, it feels and drives just as though it did up until the tranny blew. Reading the list of what was replaced is pretty interesting. I've attached it in case anyone is interested. I'd welcome and explanation or opinion. They say something about replacing "steels." I'm thinking this is a typo and should be "seals?"

The tech basically said the 2nd problem was something to do with a pitch angle tolerance of bands in 5th/6th gears and that's what was causing the problem on the test drive. I may be using the wrong term but it had something to do with some tolerance and thousandths of an inch of adjustment.

In any case it's nice to have my truck back and I'm largely undecided about keeping it or getting something else. I'm absolutely swamped with work and home stuff currently so I doubt I'll do anything for a while.

 

[loveracing1988]

Got a surprise call this afternoon and got my truck back. Overall, it feels and drives just as though it did up until the tranny blew. Reading the list of what was replaced is pretty interesting. I've attached it in case anyone is interested. I'd welcome and explanation or opinion. They say something about replacing "steels." I'm thinking this is a typo and should be "seals?"

The tech basically said the 2nd problem was something to do with a pitch angle tolerance of bands in 5th/6th gears and that's what was causing the problem on the test drive. I may be using the wrong term but it had something to do with some tolerance and thousandths of an inch of adjustment.

In any case it's nice to have my truck back and I'm largely undecided about keeping it or getting something else. I'm absolutely swamped with work and home stuff currently so I doubt I'll do anything for a while.

You have frictions and steels for every clutch, since they replaced all of them and the valve body and torque converter you essentially have a new transmission.

 

[mtofell]

You have frictions and steels for every clutch, since they replaced all of them and the valve body and torque converter you essentially have a new transmission.

Awesome... thanks! Almost 24 hours in and all is great. No hint of a problem. I appreciate everyone's help.

 

[Ryan102]

Same happened to me but I got a whole new trans. I made sure that thing was toast before I turned it in