Transmission warranty advise wanted

[gsganzer]

I wanted to get a consensus from the TBN brain trust on this one.

I recently had the transmission rebuilt on a 2017 Ram 3500 SRW Diesel with 156K miles. The rebuild was done by a reputable Texas transmission shop with 26 locations.

The rebuild wasn't cheap, about $8K with a 50K mile warranty. When I met with the shop tech, he explained all the items that should be replaced out of necessity or out of an abundance of caution including torque converter, pump assembly, complete valve body assembly, valve body kit, master rebuild kit, input speed sensor, output speed sensor, both filters, synthetic fluid. He actually was a pretty knowledgeable guy and I left it in their hands that if in-doubt, replace it.

It's been driven less than 2500 miles and it now appears the flex plate and/or torque converter has failed, with the risk of some additional damage.

I met with the transmission shop and we're arranging to have it towed to their location for an evaluation. However, in just our brief conversation, the hair stood up on the back of my neck when I heard the shop manager exclaim the flex plate isn't part of the transmission and they don't really do anything with it other than a basic check to see if it's in decent shape.

In most of the talks I've had with car geeks, they most certainly say the flexplate inspection and condition would be an integral part of a transmission rebuild. They also say it's a known failure point in Ram transmissions and by sheer default on a 156K transmission would be replaced with a new OEM ($200) or upgraded to an aftermarket billet ($400-$500).

Anyway. Hoping this is a non-issue and the shop just takes ownership and makes it right if the ball lies in their court, without a bunch of drama. However, in the waning age of providing good service and standing behind your work/product, I'm preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

From those that are more transmission qualified then myself, what's your opinion?

 

[5030]

You are screwed.

 

[timswi]

I had that happen with a gasser once. Me & the shop met halfway on the trans r&r and I pad for the flywheel. Go in easy at first, they may work with you.

 

[gsganzer]

I had that happen with a gasser once. Me & the shop met halfway on the trans r&r and I pad for the flywheel. Go in easy at first, they may work with you.

I'm kind of figuring this might be what we settle on. But it looks like the most common causes of flexplate failure is incorrect torque of the torque converter bolts, bad torque converter and misalignment of the transmission. Seems like all of those fall under the transmission shops scope of work.

 

[Fixastuff]

I've had better luck with junkyard transmissions than remanufactured units.

 

[Jstpssng]

Ouch! Hopefully you can get some satisfaction from them.

Going forward, over the years I've replaced a Dakota transmission and multiple GM trannys and always have found that I have better luck going that route. About a year and a half ago the 8 speed was replaced in my Silverado at the dealer for about $5000.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Ouch! Hopefully you can get some satisfaction from them.

Going forward, over the years I've replaced a Dakota transmission and multiple GM trannys and always have found that I have better luck going that route. About a year and a half ago the 8 speed was replaced in my Silverado at the dealer for about $5000.

I miss having an 8 speed transmission, they do wonders for gas mileage!

 

[zzvyb6]

Not ever knowing about what a flex plate was, I am now educated on the subject. Turns out (mostly around, actually), that it's considered a replacement for the flywheel found in manual transmissions. So, its considered part of the engine. Failure (in flex mode, not a missing teeth issue), is mostly due to an imbalanced motor or transmission. What made you need a trans rebuild in the first place ? Are they related ?

 

[Alan W.]

Ive seen flexplates fail after torque converter replacement.
Most of the time the mechanic doesnt gradually tighten the mounting bolts because its a pain to continually turn the motor to allow access to the bolts.
So they torque them down one at a time and it puts the flex plate in a bind because it cocks the torque converter.

 

[coobie]

You are screwed.

As usual more stupid advice.

 

[5030]

As usual more stupid advice.

You really live in Michigan? Fooled me. I was under the impression that fools lived in Ohio, not Michigan.

 

[coobie]

You really live in Michigan? Fooled me. I was under the impression that fools lived in Ohio, not Michigan.

Just down the road from you in michigan.I live in the smart neighborhood not the dumb low rent degrading folks one that you are from Just saying.

 

[gsganzer]

Update:
Transmission shop fixed it under warranty with no cost to me. Not sure what work was done as I'm not home, but I'll check the paperwork when I can.

 

[Joel/ak]

I rebuild Allison transmissions and I'll get called back to the dyno for a noise issue. He will run it up and I'll watch that flex plate. Sure as heck, front end noise. That flex plate is wobbling. They just use an impact and run each bolt in.

Frustrating.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Good to hear.

 

[gsganzer]

Good to hear.

Yes indeed. I'm pleasantly surprised. In this day and age, it seems like everything is always a battle and people are always trying to weasel out of their commitments. It's actually restored some of my faith that there's still folks that will do the right thing and stand behind their work/product.

I'll probably swing by the transmission shop and drop off a bunch of pizzas for them for lunch next week.

 

[sandman2234]

Yes indeed. I'm pleasantly surprised. In this day and age, it seems like everything is always a battle and people are always trying to weasel out of their commitments. It's actually restored some of my faith that there's still folks that will do the right thing and stand behind their work/product.

I'll probably swing by the transmission shop and drop off a bunch of pizzas for them for lunch next week.

Donuts and coffee next week, save the pizza's for the 6 month anniversary of the flex plate replacement!
David from jax

 

[gsganzer]

Donuts and coffee next week, save the pizza's for the 6 month anniversary of the flex plate replacement!
David from jax

The one thing my daughter noticed, is the truck is dramatically quieter idling than it ever was since we bought it. She said when she picked it up after the warranty repair and started it, she had to check that it was actually running.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

 

[WilliamBos]

Any transmission shop that has a clue will replace the flexplate when rebuilding the transmission.


Glad to hear they fixed it.