Timmay goes to the dealer... *Story* *pics*

[Timmay]

***Cliffnotes at bottom since I know you guys are lazy asses***

Well i've been having a few noises/problems with the front axle on the jeep for a while, so I decided to test the warranty card.

Backround info:
-Dad purchased extended warrenty not knowing the Jeep wouldn't be stock in a few months.

-Front driveshaft is removed and laying in backseat. (It had excessive play in the slip yoke)

-Spare axleshafts, hubs, tie rod, drag link, etc. are all laying on the backseat floor.

-Spare front driveshaft (second one) is in the back storage box, along with the hardware and u joint straps for both driveshafts.

So I go to the devilish dealer. Keep in mind that the service manager has never seen my jeep, he thinks it's completely stock and I am walking in with a claim like "Theres a noise coming from my CAR"...etc.

Service Manager : "Hi, how can I help you"

Tim : "Yea I wanted to have some warranty work done"

Service Manager : "Alright whats wrong?"

Tim : "Well a lot of things..."

Service Manager : "Okay try me..."

Tim : "First off, the drivers side front inner axle seal leaks like its not even there..."

Service Manager : *Writing this down* "Okay...."

Tim : "The drivers side front upper balljoint has a tear in the boot and has slight play in it, drivers side front knuckle is excessively worn in the brake pad area causing major brake pull."

Service Manager : "Brake Parts aren't under this warrenty"

Tim : "I said KNUCKLE, try removing it and taking a test drive."

Service Manager : "Ah, whatever"

Tim : [img]graemlins/screwy.gif[/img] "and last but certainly not least, the front driveshaft has excessive play in the slip yoke. I removed it before it caused a pinion bearing to go out or even more damage. It's in the backseat"

Service Manager : "Well that's what happens when you go mudding all the time"

Tim : "I'm not fond of mud. I like rocks"

Service Manager : "Okay, drop it off on Wednesday in the morning sometime"

Tim : "Sounds good."

Wednesday morning, about 11am, I return, with Deke to give me a ride home.

Service Manager : "You're a day late"

Tim : "You said Wednesday and even wrote it on the calender over there" *Points to calender*

Service Manager : *Goes and looks* "Oh, I meant tuesday"

Tim : "So do you just want me to leave the key?"

Service Manager : "Well I need you to repeat the problems so I can put them in the computer"

Tim : "Didn't you write them down?"

Service Manger : "Umm, not that I know of"

Tim : "Alright here goes"

After explaining what was wrong AGAIN we left and went to Fazzio's Steel for some OBA hardware. As soon as we got home there was a message on the machine from the service manager.

"Hi, this is Bruce from Lenihan Jeep, I need you to call me back regarding your car"

Call him back a few minutes later...

Tim : "Hi Bruce it's Tim, you called regarding my Jeep."

Service Manager : "Yea we can't find you're front driveshaft's u joint straps and bolts."

Tim : *Thinking about the spare driveshaft in the back* "Ohh thats in the back storage compartment."

Service Manager : "Okay, I ordered you a new driveshaft since the old one is toast. I also had the service technician change out the axle seal. He said there was water and dirt in the gear oil."

Tim : "Well the axle seal WAS blown, and we did have flooding the past few days, that would explain the water, the dirt was probably in the axle tube and was pushed inside with the water"

Service Manager : "Sounds logical. We did not warranty the knuckle or ball joint."

Tim : "Why is that?"

Service Manager : "Ummm, I think it wasnt covered under the powertrain warrenty."

Tim : "Ohhhhhh, just like U joints and hubs, you know, the things that make my Jeep move. Gotcha"

Service Manager : "Okay, i'll give you a call when we are done with it."

After a few hours of waiting for them to install the new driveshaft and trying to figure out why I had two old ones and spare parts all over, I got the call. So I went to pick it up.

$53 worth of deductable later, I got a new front driveshaft, and an axleseal. I looked up Marlton Auto Parts on google, and typed in the part number on the brand new Spicer Driveshaft with the new U joint and CV joint, they gave me a quote of $437. [img]graemlins/laughing.gif[/img]
[img]graemlins/owned.gif[/img]

*********************Cliffnotes******************* ******

I went to the dealer for warranty work, they tried to tell me I treated the vehicle wrong thinking it was stock. I got a new driveshaft and axle seal for $53.

Pictures :

Fresh RTV sealent = axle seal replacement and free diff oil change.


They got to look at the dented/tweaked/twisted crossmember, beat up LCA mount and dented diff cover while they did the work.



Nice new spicer driveshaft.


[ August 19, 2004, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: Timmay ]

[cornfedboy2000]

dammit...the stealers in my area would never let that fly...rock on. Sounds like a good deal to me

[Lars]

cool stuff. u showed them

[Timmay]

[img]graemlins/iono.gif[/img] I didn't think anyone would actually read all of it. By the end of the post I was thinking that.

I kind've wish I got the knuckle and balljoint, but I have a HP30 on my wishlist anyway.

[Steve]

so the knuckle and ball joint ARE covered in the powertrain warranty but they didnt replace them?

how does that make sense?

[phillyzj]

Originally posted by Timmay:
[img]graemlins/iono.gif[/img] I didn't think anyone would actually read all of it. By the end of the post I was thinking that.

I kind've wish I got the knuckle and balljoint, but I have a HP30 on my wishlist anyway.

you want me to try and get you one when i get mine? or better yet we can go together and get them?
shouldn't take more than a couple of hours w/ a sawzall

[Timmay]

Originally posted by Steve88XJ:
so the knuckle and ball joint ARE covered in the powertrain warranty but they didnt replace them?

how does that make sense?

Service Manager : "Sounds logical. We did not warranty the knuckle or ball joint."

Tim : "Why is that?"

Service Manager : "Ummm, I think it wasnt covered under the powertrain warrenty."

I don't get these people. How is a ****ing u joint not part of the drivetrain? What is it, a brake component?

Originally posted by phillyzj:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Timmay:
[img]graemlins/iono.gif[/img] I didn't think anyone would actually read all of it. By the end of the post I was thinking that.

I kind've wish I got the knuckle and balljoint, but I have a HP30 on my wishlist anyway.

you want me to try and get you one when i get mine? or better yet we can go together and get them?
shouldn't take more than a couple of hours w/ a sawzall </font>[/QUOTE]I'm not sure yet, I have another 12k till this warrenty expires. I think after that it's time for a HP30 with 4.10s and a regear in the 8.25.

[Mr. MeatCleaver]

The knuckle and the balljoint should have been under warranty. After all, your dad did pay for the warranty.

[phillyzj]

well then, wanna go to the JY with me anyways? i'm assuming by asking you, that your brother will get volunteered, lol.

[Timmay]

Originally posted by phillyzj:
well then, wanna go to the JY with me anyways? i'm assuming by asking you, that your brother will get volunteered, lol.

[img]graemlins/laughing.gif[/img] When? He's too lazy to visit junkyards.

[Steve]

Originally posted by Timmay:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Steve88XJ:
so the knuckle and ball joint ARE covered in the powertrain warranty but they didnt replace them?

how does that make sense?

Service Manager : "Sounds logical. We did not warranty the knuckle or ball joint."

Tim : "Why is that?"

Service Manager : "Ummm, I think it wasnt covered under the powertrain warrenty."

I don't get these people. How is a ****ing u joint not part of the drivetrain? What is it, a brake component?</font>[/QUOTE]Oh, I read that wrong.

and DAMN SKIPPY it should have been covered! I think I'd have pushed that issue. He even said "Umm, I think it wasn't covered"

[Timmay]

Originally posted by Steve88XJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Timmay:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Steve88XJ:
so the knuckle and ball joint ARE covered in the powertrain warranty but they didnt replace them?

how does that make sense?

Service Manager : "Sounds logical. We did not warranty the knuckle or ball joint."

Tim : "Why is that?"

Service Manager : "Ummm, I think it wasnt covered under the powertrain warrenty."

I don't get these people. How is a ****ing u joint not part of the drivetrain? What is it, a brake component?</font>[/QUOTE]Oh, I read that wrong.

and DAMN SKIPPY it should have been covered! I think I'd have pushed that issue. He even said "Umm, I think it wasn't covered" </font>[/QUOTE][img]graemlins/laughing.gif[/img] I'm thinking about swapping in my spare shaft, which has yoke play in it, and bringing it back to them for the same warrenty work over again. Then I can have two brand new shafts for $100, and use the "spare" as a rear shaft for the SYE. [img]graemlins/grinyes.gif[/img]

[Timmay]

Oh, also, on the reciept I got, under the problems it shows the outcome, for ball joint and knuckle it says "customer declined service" WTF!!!!!!!!!!!

[Steve]

DUDE!

I'm tellin 'ya!

[Timmay]

I'm going to scan that reciept and show it to some people on another board who work in the warranty dept. of daimler chrysler. See what they think of this 5 star service [img]graemlins/laughing.gif[/img]

[Steve]

Did you sign the same slip of paper that says that you declined that?

except for that you want to change your axle anyways, I'd check to see if it is in fact covered under the warranty, and question the service manager there why he put the "declined" thing in there, and if the reason is that in fact it is covered in warranty and hes trying to make it look like you declied the free work...

if so mention to his superior that you would actually like to get your free work done and you don't remember declining it...

btw I worked in automotive customer service just like that for 3.5 years [img]sad_anim.gif[/img]

[Static-XJ]

Originally posted by Timmay:
I have a HP30 on my wishlist anyway.

I have a HP 30 housing sitting in my backyard right now. [img]icon_smile_shock.gif[/img]

No knuckes or shafts, 3.07 gears. And both upper ball joints 100% need replacemnet (they fell apart when I seperated the knuckles from the knuckle yokes). It'd be a good idea to go ahead and change the lowers too.

I'm in CO, so shipping minght not be too attractive.

PM me for more info.

[deke]

i have one in my backyard also

[phillyzj]

Originally posted by Static-XJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Timmay:
I have a HP30 on my wishlist anyway.

I have a HP 30 housing sitting in my backyard right now. [img]icon_smile_shock.gif[/img]

No knuckes or shafts, 3.07 gears. And both upper ball joints 100% need replacemnet (they fell apart when I seperated the knuckles from the knuckle yokes). It'd be a good idea to go ahead and change the lowers too.

I'm in CO, so shipping minght not be too attractive.

PM me for more info. </font>[/QUOTE]if it costs more than 50 to ship it it definately isn't worth it.

i can drive an hour each way and have as many HP30's as i want. all complete for 50 each.

[jeep valjean]

By "customer declined service" it probably means you declined it because of having to pay for it because they weren't giving you it under warranty. But that has to be bullsheit, a u-joint is obviously part of the drivetrain.

[Timmay]

Originally posted by Static-XJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Timmay:
I have a HP30 on my wishlist anyway.

I have a HP 30 housing sitting in my backyard right now. [img]icon_smile_shock.gif[/img]

No knuckes or shafts, 3.07 gears. And both upper ball joints 100% need replacemnet (they fell apart when I seperated the knuckles from the knuckle yokes). It'd be a good idea to go ahead and change the lowers too.

I'm in CO, so shipping minght not be too attractive.

PM me for more info. </font>[/QUOTE]I was going to get one with 4.10s out of a 4 banger XJ from a yard around here. Sorry

Originally posted by deke:
i have one in my backyard also

Me too, wonder where it came from?

[scrambler81]

I'd be inclined to think that the u-joints are not covered, but it depends on what warranty you've got. If it is a DCX policy, it would take 5 minutes to run your VIN and see what coverage you have. As for you "declining" the work, if it isn't covered by the policy, and you didn't want to pay for it, then you declined it. Noting it on the RO covers Lenihan. If it fails, you can't claim that they never told you there was a problem.

[Timmay]

Originally posted by scrambler81:
I'd be inclined to think that the u-joints are not covered, but it depends on what warranty you've got. If it is a DCX policy, it would take 5 minutes to run your VIN and see what coverage you have. As for you "declining" the work, if it isn't covered by the policy, and you didn't want to pay for it, then you declined it. Noting it on the RO covers Lenihan. If it fails, you can't claim that they never told you there was a problem.

I hear ya on those points. I would assume they would have at least asked me if I wanted work done. What if I wanted to buy a knuckle and balljoint and have it installed?

When I picked it up al the service manager said was "Well your car is all fixed up, just pay the lady $53 and here's the key".

I'm not out to steal free parts from the dealer, I just would prefer to be told straight up what my policy is and what i'm not getting, and reasons for that. I also told them about a clunk in the front end (probably a trackbar), they didn't bother to look at it. I have a Limited Powertrain Warrenty, that means what's covered under that i get for a $50 deductable, but I asked them to check out other things while they took it for the test drive.

I guess all dealers are like that though.

[bbaCJ8]

Originally posted by phillyzj:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Static-XJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Timmay:
I have a HP30 on my wishlist anyway.

I have a HP 30 housing sitting in my backyard right now. [img]icon_smile_shock.gif[/img]

No knuckes or shafts, 3.07 gears. And both upper ball joints 100% need replacemnet (they fell apart when I seperated the knuckles from the knuckle yokes). It'd be a good idea to go ahead and change the lowers too.

I'm in CO, so shipping minght not be too attractive.

PM me for more info. </font>[/QUOTE]if it costs more than 50 to ship it it definately isn't worth it.

i can drive an hour each way and have as many HP30's as i want. all complete for 50 each. </font>[/QUOTE]Well then can ya get me both sides' inner and outer axleshafts, complete with hub assembly still attached? [img]graemlins/brows.gif[/img] I would rather just have to pull 3 bolts to swap my axleshafts and sh1t.... When are you goin to that yard next? Cuz I don't have money right now, but as soon as I can it'd be nice to get those bad boys [img]graemlins/grinyes.gif[/img]

[Timmay]

Originally posted by bbaXJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by phillyzj:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Static-XJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Timmay:
I have a HP30 on my wishlist anyway.

I have a HP 30 housing sitting in my backyard right now. [img]icon_smile_shock.gif[/img]

No knuckes or shafts, 3.07 gears. And both upper ball joints 100% need replacemnet (they fell apart when I seperated the knuckles from the knuckle yokes). It'd be a good idea to go ahead and change the lowers too.

I'm in CO, so shipping minght not be too attractive.

PM me for more info. </font>[/QUOTE]if it costs more than 50 to ship it it definately isn't worth it.

i can drive an hour each way and have as many HP30's as i want. all complete for 50 each. </font>[/QUOTE]Well then can ya get me both sides' inner and outer axleshafts, complete with hub assembly still attached? [img]graemlins/brows.gif[/img] I would rather just have to pull 3 bolts to swap my axleshafts and sh1t.... When are you goin to that yard next? Cuz I don't have money right now, but as soon as I can it'd be nice to get those bad boys [img]graemlins/grinyes.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]Disco or non disco? I'm pretty sure you mean non disco, but just checking [img]icon_smile_wink.gif[/img] .

[bbaCJ8]

Yup, non-disco. For a 98...just want some trail spares for as cheap as possible. No good yards I know of around here

[Timmay]

Originally posted by bbaXJ:
Yup, non-disco. For a 98...just want some trail spares for as cheap as possible. No good yards I know of around here

I'll keep an eye out. I need a set too. I have Deke's spares as of right now since his jeep is "under the knife". I'll let you know next time i go to a yard. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[bbaCJ8]

Sounds like a plan. Thanks man

[Timmay]

No problem. I think you need them a little more than me with those turdy phives.

[verrive]

Just for reference I have a feeling they would refuse to service your jeep if you switched drive shafts [img]icon_smile_wink.gif[/img]

[Timmay]

Originally posted by verrive:
Just for reference I have a feeling they would refuse to service your jeep if you switched drive shafts [img]icon_smile_wink.gif[/img]

Yea I know. They are anyway. I'll just wait another 18k miles incase something happens (spider gears explode, pinion bearing dies, etc. Stuff I don't feel like fixing.)

[ August 20, 2004, 01:22 AM: Message edited by: Timmay ]

[phillyzj]

Originally posted by bbaXJ:
Yup, non-disco. For a 98...just want some trail spares for as cheap as possible. No good yards I know of around here

welp, 98's gonna be next to impossible. i saw a post 96 once, but we didn't have that much time and i didn't have a socket for the axle nut either. it was stripped the next week.

early 90's i can get though, i have trouble remembering which ones came with the 297x joints though.

Shafts themselves are 15 a piece, if it's worth it to ship them to you, i might be able to help you out. they are heavy though. i don't know when i will get to the yard next, but i will let you know what i find.

[Timmay]

Originally posted by phillyzj:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by bbaXJ:
Yup, non-disco. For a 98...just want some trail spares for as cheap as possible. No good yards I know of around here

welp, 98's gonna be next to impossible. i saw a post 96 once, but we didn't have that much time and i didn't have a socket for the axle nut either. it was stripped the next week.

early 90's i can get though, i have trouble remembering which ones came with the 297x joints though.

Shafts themselves are 15 a piece, if it's worth it to ship them to you, i might be able to help you out. they are heavy though. i don't know when i will get to the yard next, but i will let you know what i find. </font>[/QUOTE]The 297s came in the 97+. You can use a spare set of shafts with the 260x u joints in them though. The only thing that changed on non disco D30s in the mid 90s was the ujoint size. The hub is the same, and so is the shaft length.

Quoted from Madxj.com (since i'm sure somebody will inform me i am completely wrong, this is where my info came from)

Earlier XJs were originally equipped with the smaller front axle shaft u-joint, also sometimes referred to as the 5-260X (these are the Spicer numbers), or a CV joint. Somewhere around the mid-90's Jeep switched to the larger 5-297X u-joint. All CV/5-260X/5-297X are all interchangeable, since they all use the exact same unit-bearing hub. A new style u-joint is now replacing the 5-297X u-joint. Strength is probably the same, or slightly better. The new u-joint is the Spicer is: 5-760X

[bbaCJ8]

The u-joint isn't a big deal. Just any non-disco shafts with the hub assembly still mounted would be nice. Like I said, it's just for a spare. Of course the stronger components and better shape it's in, the better

[phillyzj]

Originally posted by bbaXJ:
The u-joint isn't a big deal. Just any non-disco shafts with the hub assembly still mounted would be nice. Like I said, it's just for a spare. Of course the stronger components and better shape it's in, the better

gotcha, i could ship ya a whole axle if ya wanted. it'd prolly be like 100 to ship it.