Help with dealing with a dealer repair shop

[zanngzibud]

One month ago, I had the transmission, transfer case, and differentials serviced on my 2012 Ram 1500 at the local Ram dealer. Cost $800. Three days ago I was driving in snow with the 4Wheel drive engaged and we heard a rhythmic metallic scraping sound. I immediately pulled over and called a tow truck, which took the truck back to the dealer that performed the service. As the truck was being unloaded, we heard scraping and clunking noises coming from the rear differential. I suspect the failure was related to the service job they did a month ago and I am hoping they repair the truck with no charges to me. They have the truck, and as yet I have not heard what problem is, or their proposed solution is. I would like to be prepared to deal with them if they take no responsibility for the failure. Ideas?

 

[huntergreen]

Did the noise stop when switched back to 2wd ?

 

[Tach_tech]

The only way changing the fluids would cause a failure like that is if they didn’t put fluid back in or it was extremely low.

So unless that happened I doubt they caused a failure to happen a month later.

 

[Jrod]

That's the worst feeling. Hopefully they find a mistake on their end. In the meantime keep the glass half full. Keep us posted!

 

[mtofell]

Definitely going to be an uphill battle proving the service caused a problem a month later. I think you'd have a hard time proving anything more than about a day later. Even an immediate problem isn't really anyone else's fault unless they did something wrong (and you can prove it).

Swapping fresh fluid in a tranny can cause it to fail if it was on its way out already. Assuming something has failed, the first thing the dealer is likely to ask for are receipts and history proving it's been properly maintained up to this point. 7 year old truck things break. Just because someone happened to have touched it doesn't make it their fault.

 

[averageguy]

It is rare for anyone to try very hard to prove they are at fault. I would be surprised if the dealer blames themselves.

 

[Kap1]

Yes, i probably would take it to another shop so they can investigate failure objectively. The dealer won't blame themselves for sure, and why do you want them to touch your truck anyway since you suspect they messed it up in the first place

 

[Kap1]

The only way changing the fluids would cause a failure like that is if they didn’t put fluid back in or it was extremely low.

So unless that happened I doubt they caused a failure to happen a month later.

What lf they did not fully tightened it and it slowly leaked out?

 

[16RamHemi]

problem i see is you are not there when they diagnose it. unfortunately today its rare for anyone to own up to their mistakes. i would be shocked if the dealer admitted fault. even if it was their fault, they just have to say its not. how are you going to prove them wrong if you are not there?

 

[Tach_tech]

What lf they did not fully tightened it and it slowly leaked out?

If that were the case I’m sure he would have noticed a leak on the ground from the rear diff.

 

[chrisbh17]

What if they used the wrong fluid?

 

[PoMansRam]

Did the truck stop moving? Any check engine light? What transmission- 6spd or 8spd?

 

[Tach_tech]

What if they used the wrong fluid?

I can’t see the wrong fluid causing a failure in a month. If it called for say 75w140 and they used 80w90. Only way I could see an issue is if OP towed a lot and even then it would likely take quite a lot longer than a month to cause any sort of failure.

 

[chrisbh17]

I was thinking more along the lines of needing friction modifier because is a clutch-based LSD, but they didnt use a fluid made for an LSD (or didnt add friction modifier if necessary)

But you're probably right, not a one month long type failure thing I wouldnt think.

 

[Tach_tech]

I was thinking more along the lines of needing friction modifier because is a clutch-based LSD, but they didnt use a fluid made for an LSD (or didnt add friction modifier if necessary)

But you're probably right, not a one month long type failure thing I wouldnt think.

Not adding a friction modifier can cause an issue if it needs it. Usually you’ll notice when turning from a stop, you’ll feel a chatter coming from the rear. Extended use without it would likely cause premature wear or failure of the clutch packs, but again not likely in a month.

If the failure is the rear diff I wonder if the pinion nut was coming loose. Seen a fair bit of that on the older trucks.

 

[Dale wOOTEN]

One month ago, I had the transmission, transfer case, and differentials serviced on my 2012 Ram 1500 at the local Ram dealer. Cost $800. Three days ago I was driving in snow with the 4Wheel drive engaged and we heard a rhythmic metallic scraping sound. I immediately pulled over and called a tow truck, which took the truck back to the dealer that performed the service. As the truck was being unloaded, we heard scraping and clunking noises coming from the rear differential. I suspect the failure was related to the service job they did a month ago and I am hoping they repair the truck with no charges to me. They have the truck, and as yet I have not heard what problem is, or their proposed solution is. I would like to be prepared to deal with them if they take no responsibility for the failure. Ideas?

 

[Dale wOOTEN]

2012 had a rearend recall

 

[slacadjuster]

One month ago, I had the transmission, transfer case, and differentials serviced on my 2012 Ram 1500 at the local Ram dealer. Cost $800. Three days ago I was driving in snow with the 4Wheel drive engaged and we heard a rhythmic metallic scraping sound. I immediately pulled over and called a tow truck, which took the truck back to the dealer that performed the service. As the truck was being unloaded, we heard scraping and clunking noises coming from the rear differential. I suspect the failure was related to the service job they did a month ago and I am hoping they repair the truck with no charges to me. They have the truck, and as yet I have not heard what problem is, or their proposed solution is. I would like to be prepared to deal with them if they take no responsibility for the failure. Ideas?

Being as it was a month later that this happened, I'm betting the dealership will say "driver error" and not pay for anything.

 

[Scottly]

Another member gracing us with his headache and then going away without informing us of the resolution.