Major Setback

[Andy4639]

Well I took the truck over to the local transmission place today to have the new wiring connector installed and service the transmission. The connector was leaking pretty bad.

Guy comes back in the office and said I need to come look at something.

Oh great now what. My week hasn't gone so well guys on anything and now this, it just got worse!

Anyway back to the transmission. The drive shaft is only up in the transmission 2", yes thats right 2". The bushing is shot at the tail of the transmission and they think the one inside the transmission is shot to. So we take the pan off and it's full of bronze are brass whatever it's made out of. Then we inspect the yoke that Hawks installed and it's got wear marks and gouges all over it. Not a new one like he said. So the transmission people want $600.00 to $800.00 to do it and I said put it back and I'm going to Hawks now.
I get to Hawks and have to wait about 20 minutes for Bruce to get there. I tell him everything that we found at the transmission shop and he says I will take care of it. So the truck is at his place waiting to have the transmission and drive shaft redone. The drive shaft is about 2 1/2" to short for the truck, so I had to take him my other shaft that he has to cut and fix. I'm not a really happy person tonight. I was suppose to drive it to Myrtle Beach next week for the car show!

[BR3W CITY]

On a lift with the rear end drooped the shaft won't go ALL the way in, but still, having the shaft setup wrong really sucks.

Did they surmize the actual cause of events? I.e., are we assuming that the DS being too short put load too far out on the output shat, and that made the shaft wear the bearings out? I'm curious what the actual cause of failure was.

I would be pretty leery of the shop now, if you feel like they short-changed you on the parts. Have them fix it right, or take it to another shop and send them the bill.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

On a lift with the rear end drooped the shaft won't go ALL the way in, but still, having the shaft setup wrong really sucks.

Did they surmize the actual cause of events? I.e., are we assuming that the DS being too short put load too far out on the output shat, and that made the shaft wear the bearings out? I'm curious what the actual cause of failure was.

I would be pretty leery of the shop now, if you feel like they short-changed you on the parts. Have them fix it right, or take it to another shop and send them the bill.

Both places have drive on lifts so the truck was sitting like it should be. Bruce (Hawks) owner said they will fix it and make it right.
Transmission place said it was so far on the end of the transmission shaft that it was causing the bushings to prematurely wear. Bruce said the shaft moves up and down like that and it should be fine.
This is how it sits on the lift.

[ls1nova71]

That pic is sitting on the ground? You would be lucky if there is 2" in the trans!!! I can't believe you didn't have a bad vibration. Like BR3W said, I would be leary of them for letting that leave the shop like that.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

That pic is sitting on the ground? You would be lucky if there is 2" in the trans!!! I can't believe you didn't have a bad vibration. Like BR3W said, I would be leary of them for letting that leave the shop like that.

Yes that is sitting on the ground! I was very upset when I was talking to Bruce about it. He said he agree'd that it should have never been like that and he didn't go behind his mechanic and check it. That's his story. I told him once he has it fixed I'm taking it back to the transmission shop and have them check it again and if it's not right they will fix it and he will pay for it. He agree'd. yes I'm a little worried about it but really don't see any other way to handle it. He was nice about it and didn't try to get out of it so I'll give him first shot but then it's done. I guess will see what happens.

[lolife99]

Do you have a 2-piece driveshaft in the truck?

[chuckmc8]

Good Luck Andy. Driveshafts are a a PIA sometimes. It's refreshing to see people who are willing to take responsibility and work to make things right. Hope you get it going soon. Chuck

[Clyde65]

Andy,

I know it is hard to take it back to the guy who did subpar work, but I agree with you. Give him the opportunity to make it right, then have someone check it just for mind's sake. I would do the exact same thing and have. I wish you luck my friend.

[Bryan H]

Andy,

This is why I like to do the work on my cars and trucks myself. Even though it takes alot longer, I know whats been done, what needs modifying, and that no shortcuts were taken. Imagine the damage it could have done had the driveshaft came out. I can't tune an ECM or see what numbers I can pull on a dyno and would have to pay to have that done but I can do pretty much do any of the mechanicals of such a swap. Not putting anyone or any business down but for what you paid him there should be no mistakes.

Bryan

[JJH Jimmy]

If they would leave an important piece of the drive train like that you can see it would make me wonder about all of the stuff they did that you can't see! I hope that they get it right for you.

[littlevictories]

mistakes happen. give him the opportunity to make it right and hold him to his word.

[littlevictories]

but i guess you are vindicated about being OCD on the trans temp sensor

[Andy4639]

Well to answer all the questions.
lolife99, Yes I have a 2 peice shaft.

I'm giving him the first shot which is his thrid time. He didn't balance the shaft the first time after cutting and welding it. Had to take it back and have it balanced.

I really don't know of anyway other than this to settle it. I was almost to the point to let the transmission people do it but after the $600-$800 estimate I said heck no Hawks needs to make this right. I just hope it's ready by next Wednesday. I'm suppose to be driving it to the beach for the big car show which is a 5 hr ride. Oh boy this should be fun. I was going down Wednesday night after work but I don't know now. Being stuck on the side of the interstate at 12PM 1AM in the morning want be fun.

[jamesjones]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Well to answer all the questions.
lolife99, Yes I have a 2 peice shaft.

I'm giving him the first shot which is his thrid time. He didn't balance the shaft the first time after cutting and welding it. Had to take it back and have it balanced.

I really don't know of anyway other than this to settle it. I was almost to the point to let the transmission people do it but after the $600-$800 estimate I said heck no Hawks needs to make this right. I just hope it's ready by next Wednesday. I'm suppose to be driving it to the beach for the big car show which is a 5 hr ride. Oh boy this should be fun. I was going down Wednesday night after work but I don't know now. Being stuck on the side of the interstate at 12PM 1AM in the morning want be fun.

Sign up for AAA Plus. Well worth the piece of mind.

[Andy4639]

I have all that. I don't like sitting on the side of the road though waiting for them and I want leave the truck just sitting there!

[akdg87]

its always good practice to give everything a once over after you've had someone wrenching or working on your stuff (anything you own for that matter), especially when life is at risk, simple thing like this could have been caught very easily. Good to hear thatthe shop is taking care of it.

i worked for a equipment rental outfit and we had hundreds of 6.0 powerstroke rentals, if you know much about them they are garbage in stock form, but f**d handled the issues under warranty. We would get multiple trucks back missing numerous bolts and parts, we once got a pickup back that had a motor replaced and they didn't even put one bell-housing bolt back in. But that would have never been caught without a once-over.

[truckdude239]

if there was brass and brozen in the pan the trans needs to be rebuilt.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by truckdude239

if there was brass and brozen in the pan the trans needs to be rebuilt.

That's the plan!

[Andy4639]

Hawks left me a message yesterday. They say the truck is ready to pick up!

Huh...less than 3 days and it's ready to go. I'm getting off work at Lunch time to go see about it.

[truckdude239]

crawl under and look at the drive shaft and make sure you got a good bit into the trans

[Blackpony]

As mentioned always take it back to the place that worked on it last. I work at a performance shop myself and it burns my hide when someone has an issue but doesn't return and give us the chance to make it right.

[Andy4639]

Well I picked up the truck today. I was surprised this morning after talking to Bruce. He had Carolina Driveline do a one peice drive shaft for the truck at his expense not mine. $490.00 and it looks great!
The transmission he said was fine other than the rear tail section bushing and seal. They replaced it and he flushed the trans out good 2 times he said. Changed filters each time and said it was good to go. He gave me a 30 day garuntee with it. I would like to have had it rebuilt but with the 30 days I'm Ok with it. We will see how it does. Driving to the beach next week so that should be a good test for it. 5hrs each way running 70-80 all the way.

[jjzepplin]

Wait a minute. You took this in and they first-cut the shaft too short-Second, did not balance it,-third , removed it and balanced it and then reinstalled the then too short shaft without making it the right length. And then only when you brought it to their attention they are going to fix it. Makes you wonder if they really rebuilt your trans in three days and how well it was done, if it was actually done. HMMM
I am with Byran H on this one.
For your sake, I hope they really fix it.

[Blackpony]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Wait a minute. You took this in and they first-cut the shaft too short-Second, did not balance it,-third , removed it and balanced it and then reinstalled the then too short shaft without making it the right length. And then only when you brought it to their attention they are going to fix it. Makes you wonder if they really rebuilt your trans in three days and how well it was done, if it was actually done. HMMM
I am with Byran H on this one.
For your sake, I hope they really fix it.

Wow guess I should have read the whole thread. If that is true then id be looking for a new shop. Good luck with it!!!

[Ozzy2013]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Wait a minute. You took this in and they first-cut the shaft too short-Second, did not balance it,-third , removed it and balanced it and then reinstalled the then too short shaft without making it the right length. And then only when you brought it to their attention they are going to fix it. Makes you wonder if they really rebuilt your trans in three days and how well it was done, if it was actually done. HMMM
I am with Byran H on this one.
For your sake, I hope they really fix it.

I was thinking the exact same thing not only did they screw up once but they did it twice!The so called mechanic would be fired if he worked for me!