Took my truck into the Dodge Dealer to have my torque converter replaced because it had failed. I had them install a Precision of New Hampton 5444-HD-RV which is for the 46RE and has the low stall (400 RPMs under stock) and the billet cover. The converter cost me roughly $300 and the install was about $800.

I got the truck back and all seemed well again. After about 135 miles, I smelled tranny fluid and found the trans was leaking at the bell housing and reaching back across the Y-pipe. I scheduled another service expecting they would identify and correct the issue at no charge to me. Wrong!

Upon dropping the trans than found that the converter hub had been scored by the bushing that sits over the hub and the bushing had been scored as well. They are now claiming that the converter is "out of spec" and they will not cover any damage. In addition, they want me to replace the trans oil pump and put all Mopar parts in so they will warranty the work. That's $1100 (total) the first time plus another $1800 this time around!

When I called Precision, they said they would replace the converter (if they verify it is faulty, which they doubt) but the damages would be mine to absorb. As the Consumer, I purchased a product made for my vehicle, had the Dealer install it, and somehow I did something wrong and am going to get stuck paying nearly $3000 for a converter replacement. WTF???

Has anyone had any similar experiences with the dealer installing non-Mopar parts and have any words of wisdom? I really don't have another $1800 just lying around.

 

Ask how the converter is out of spec, and get their assessment IN WRITING.

Take the converter someplace else, and have it checked to see if it really is out of spec. If it is, chat with precision. They will prolly replace the converter, but, that is the extent of their 'limited' warranty. (par for the course)

If it isn't, then its a botched install, and the dealership should be responsible for the repairs.

What they are trying to do, is save THEMSELVES some money, by blaming a probably botched job, on ANYTHING else that will give them an "out".

This is typical behavior of most any shop that is looking at an expensive repair, because one of the techs wasn't paying quite enough attention.

Edit: If the converter went out..... there is a really good chance the rest of the trans isn't too far behind. That type of event has a tendency to scatter crap throughout the trans, leading to failure in short order. (and they may be the cause of the issue as well.... in which case, you would be better off rebuilding the trans. Otherwise, in not too many miles, you may find yourself looking at yet ANOTHER big repair bill.)

 

Thanks, HeyYou. I do appreciate your feedback! Yeah, I feel I am getting the shaft because someone isn't owning up to their mistake. As much as I wanted to put in the Precision unit, I cannot afford to do this a third time! So I am forced to go with Mopar parts to protect myself from a repeat incident and eat the cost of the Precision converter unless they decide to take it back and credit me the cost. Either way I'm still out a ton of money at no fault of my own.

After the converter acted up initially I dropped the pan and VB and found no evidence of metal in the trans or pan. It was pretty clean and I completely disassembled / cleaned / reassembled the VB for good measure.

They had to order the Mopar converter and oil pump and said they'd have those in on Wednesday. I plan to call them and request they call me once the parts arrive and then intend to take a micrometer there to compare the hub diameter measurements between the two converters. It would be absolute bliss if they matched dead nuts! I could then ask them to come up with another explanation.

 

Did you supply the converter and the dealer installed it?

 

Yeah, I bought the converter directly from Precision and the Dealer installed it. They did warn me beforehand that they would not warranty someone else's parts but this seems more like an install mishap. I am making some assumptions but it seems there are only two possibilities; a faulty part or a bad install.

 

Bottom line: You're getting hosed. Here's what PATC says about it.

I'd talk to the owner of the stealership and if he weren't man enough to get right with me I'd lawyer up. That was a preventable failure and it was up to the mechanic to prevent it.

 

Thank you! I will definitely print this out before I go back to the dealership on Wednesday. It always helps to be armed with as much info as possible!

 

I think that bushing is suppose to stay in the trans. Mine did that when I was towing and we did a full rebuild. The shop that rebuilt it did an awesome job on the trans but said it had built up to much pressure and pushed that bushing out and tore the seal. They did some mods in the trans to move more valume at a lower pressure. Now my trans runs at 150 deg no matter if I am towing my trailer or not. I also have a precision converter but stock stall speed.

 

The dealer indicated today that the Mopar parts were in so I stopped by this evening and measured the Precision and Mopar converter hubs (OD) with a micrometer and they were dead nuts. I plan to go back tomorrow morning and discuss that with the Tech and see what else he thinks it could be since his original explanation banked on the notion that the Precision hub was larger and caused the bushing to fail. I also called Dodge Customer Service tonight and they suggested I ask to speak with the Dealer Manager. If that doesn't work, I can ask that they call the Area Manager.

 

Just keep going up the ladder. Really sounds like a botched install from what others with more experience are saying...

Be calm and firm, turning into an *** is the best way to come out of this with the least amount of money possible.... not saying to not fight for what seems like you are due but 99% of the time cooler heads will prevail.


dealers always want to get you to buy there OEM parts.... they get pretty hefty mark up on those things.... something like 110%