4r70w problems, please help
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 13
*UPDATE 12/26/2014*
!Warning, long read!
Just thought I'd give an update on the new developments with my truck for those of you who read the previous posts.
The transmission has been RE-rebuilt, for a grand total of $2,400.12. And boy does it feel different from the first time. The extremely harsh shifts are gone (first builder told me it was "normal" for a performance transmission), and it shifts as smooth as the girlfriend's brand new 2014 Jeep, until I get my foot in it. Then it really shifts!
Here is my initial BBB complaint and the subsequent responses:
Complaint
On May 20, 2014 I paid Fox Transmission of Waterloo, IL. $1,342.25 to rebuild the transmission of my 1995 Ford F-150. With the purchase I was given a 12,000 mile 12 month warranty.
Shortly after the rebuild, I had to relocate to Greeley, CO for work. After only 6 months and 3,500 miles, the transmission began to slip. I called Fox Transmission and they were very rude and unhelpful. I decided I was going to drive the truck back to Illinois to have them diagnose it (and possibly warranty it). However, about an hour after I left Greeley, I completely lost overdrive, making it impossible to drive the truck from Colorado to Illinois.
I then called Fox Transmission again to see if they would be willing to help. I asked if I could have the truck towed to a nearby transmission shop to have it looked at, and then we could explore our options. The owner told me that I was "screwed" and and that he would not warranty the transmission. I then asked, "so I paid $1300 for a transmission that only lasted 3,500 miles?" The owner replied that I had and ended the phone call.
Business Response
This email is the first we have heard from the BBB about this complaint or I would have responded right away. Mr Farney was told to bring the truck back to us to check out and he agreed to trailer it here from Colorado. He had called a couple of months before and told us that it had been involved in an accident and was no longer shifting right. We told him then to bring it to us so we could check it out. We heard nothing more. Then he called in November and said it wasn't right, not mentioning the previous accident. James told him again to bring it to us, that he could not go to Colorado to check it out. James did not say that he had no warranty, just that the warranty was here. I heard the converstion, James did not say "screwed". Maybe Mr. Farney did on his end. If he brings the truck in we will be glad to check it out and honor the warranty if it is not the result of the previous accident or driver abuse.
Consumer Response
Unfortunately, "trailering" the truck to Waterloo, IL from Greeley, CO was not a feasible plan of action, nor was it ever "agreed" to. To have the truck towed there would have cost more than I paid for the faulty transmission in the first place. I did, however, agree to drive the truck there before the transmission completely stopped working. After that, as stated in my first complaint, was when I called back.
I did call months previous and asked if the truck being hit in the front bumper region would cause any damage to the transmission. James told me that there is no way that the bumper getting hit would have affected the transmission. He then told me to "check the fluid," which I did, and it was full. Since then, I have spoken with several mechanics, and surprisingly enough, all agree that the front bumper has nothing to do with transmission functions.
Again, I could not bring the truck to the shop (not for lack of trying, as mentioned in my first complaint) because the transmission I paid $1,300 for stopped working after 3,500 miles. You cannot drive a vehicle 900 miles with no high gear, spinning 4000 rpm the whole way.
When I last spoke with the company, I was told by whoever answers the phone to take it to a local shop and have it looked at. Minutes later, James (the owner) called back, told me he was not going to warranty it, and did, in fact, tell me I was "screwed."
I suppose the lesson in this is that if you purchase a rebuilt transmission from this shop, you better not take it on any long trips or out of state, because if the transmission fails and it is not within towing distance, you are out of luck.
Furthermore, my written warranty does not have any "fine print" excluding my vehicle's warranty from being honored.
I have since procured a written and signed letter from an owner of another transmission shop, detailing all the wrong doings and short cuts taken on the build I purchased from Fox Transmission. I can provide this information going forward if necessary.
I never called and demanded anything, just requested that they work with me to find a solution. But based on how I was treated by this shop, I will use all avenues available to me to see that things are made right. I attempted to deal civilly with this shop, and was essentially robbed of $1,300.
---
Of course, it comes down to being a 'he said, she said' sort of deal, but I can honestly (and with good conscious) say that their entire response was riddled with bull**** and lies.
The BBB decided that the business made a "good faith effort" in reconciling, which is a complete joke.
So I called the BBB, and requested that one of their representatives read through the entire exchange and then walk me through their thought process. Well, the guy read it and said "Yea that doesn't really make sense." "I think what we may be waiting on is your supplementing documentation arguing your case." Fantastic, I just happen to have some documentation, and here is what my new builder sent me:
Automotive Transmission Engineering Corp
10901 Irma Drive. Suite A
Northglenn, CO 80233
303.280.1499 Office
303.280.1964
12/23/2014
Hello Mr. Farney,
This letter is written to give you our findings from our inspection and corrective actions, regarding your 1995 Ford F150 transmission.
The front pump and torque converter had damage around the hub/bushing causing extensive damage to the pump housing & gears. It’s obvious the bushing and torque converter hub was incorrectly installed. This caused extensive damage to the transmission, from loss of lubrication and line pressure. The transmission didn’t have adequate line pressure, further resulting in clutch failure. This condition caused the forward and direct clutch (3rd gear) failure. This damage further generated metal contamination to the control valve body escalating the cost of repair.
Further inspection concerned us when we discovered silicone sealant around the front pump O-ring seal. This most certainly identified an improper repair procedure. The quality of the repair previously performed was of very poor assembly practices.
Thank You,
Name redacted for privacy
President Automotive Transmission Engineering Corp.
---
So, it's clear the first shop completely f*cked me.
I called my credit card company, and asked if they would open a dispute if I sent them the same evidence of wrong-doing (receipts, warranty documentation, new receipts, letter from second builder). Not only did my credit card company agree to dispute the service, but credited the $1,342.25 back to my card. They said that they would contact the company, and present my case to them. However, they told me that they wouldn't be able to force the shop to credit my account, and if he refused the money would be recharged. But, if he did refuse, and they found in my favor, he could lose his credit card capabilities. Score! Good luck running an auto shop without being able to accept credit cards.
I highly doubt the BBB will rule in my favor, but maybe Visa will come through!
!Warning, long read!
Just thought I'd give an update on the new developments with my truck for those of you who read the previous posts.
The transmission has been RE-rebuilt, for a grand total of $2,400.12. And boy does it feel different from the first time. The extremely harsh shifts are gone (first builder told me it was "normal" for a performance transmission), and it shifts as smooth as the girlfriend's brand new 2014 Jeep, until I get my foot in it. Then it really shifts!
Here is my initial BBB complaint and the subsequent responses:
Complaint
On May 20, 2014 I paid Fox Transmission of Waterloo, IL. $1,342.25 to rebuild the transmission of my 1995 Ford F-150. With the purchase I was given a 12,000 mile 12 month warranty.
Shortly after the rebuild, I had to relocate to Greeley, CO for work. After only 6 months and 3,500 miles, the transmission began to slip. I called Fox Transmission and they were very rude and unhelpful. I decided I was going to drive the truck back to Illinois to have them diagnose it (and possibly warranty it). However, about an hour after I left Greeley, I completely lost overdrive, making it impossible to drive the truck from Colorado to Illinois.
I then called Fox Transmission again to see if they would be willing to help. I asked if I could have the truck towed to a nearby transmission shop to have it looked at, and then we could explore our options. The owner told me that I was "screwed" and and that he would not warranty the transmission. I then asked, "so I paid $1300 for a transmission that only lasted 3,500 miles?" The owner replied that I had and ended the phone call.
Business Response
This email is the first we have heard from the BBB about this complaint or I would have responded right away. Mr Farney was told to bring the truck back to us to check out and he agreed to trailer it here from Colorado. He had called a couple of months before and told us that it had been involved in an accident and was no longer shifting right. We told him then to bring it to us so we could check it out. We heard nothing more. Then he called in November and said it wasn't right, not mentioning the previous accident. James told him again to bring it to us, that he could not go to Colorado to check it out. James did not say that he had no warranty, just that the warranty was here. I heard the converstion, James did not say "screwed". Maybe Mr. Farney did on his end. If he brings the truck in we will be glad to check it out and honor the warranty if it is not the result of the previous accident or driver abuse.
Consumer Response
Unfortunately, "trailering" the truck to Waterloo, IL from Greeley, CO was not a feasible plan of action, nor was it ever "agreed" to. To have the truck towed there would have cost more than I paid for the faulty transmission in the first place. I did, however, agree to drive the truck there before the transmission completely stopped working. After that, as stated in my first complaint, was when I called back.
I did call months previous and asked if the truck being hit in the front bumper region would cause any damage to the transmission. James told me that there is no way that the bumper getting hit would have affected the transmission. He then told me to "check the fluid," which I did, and it was full. Since then, I have spoken with several mechanics, and surprisingly enough, all agree that the front bumper has nothing to do with transmission functions.
Again, I could not bring the truck to the shop (not for lack of trying, as mentioned in my first complaint) because the transmission I paid $1,300 for stopped working after 3,500 miles. You cannot drive a vehicle 900 miles with no high gear, spinning 4000 rpm the whole way.
When I last spoke with the company, I was told by whoever answers the phone to take it to a local shop and have it looked at. Minutes later, James (the owner) called back, told me he was not going to warranty it, and did, in fact, tell me I was "screwed."
I suppose the lesson in this is that if you purchase a rebuilt transmission from this shop, you better not take it on any long trips or out of state, because if the transmission fails and it is not within towing distance, you are out of luck.
Furthermore, my written warranty does not have any "fine print" excluding my vehicle's warranty from being honored.
I have since procured a written and signed letter from an owner of another transmission shop, detailing all the wrong doings and short cuts taken on the build I purchased from Fox Transmission. I can provide this information going forward if necessary.
I never called and demanded anything, just requested that they work with me to find a solution. But based on how I was treated by this shop, I will use all avenues available to me to see that things are made right. I attempted to deal civilly with this shop, and was essentially robbed of $1,300.
---
Of course, it comes down to being a 'he said, she said' sort of deal, but I can honestly (and with good conscious) say that their entire response was riddled with bull**** and lies.
The BBB decided that the business made a "good faith effort" in reconciling, which is a complete joke.
So I called the BBB, and requested that one of their representatives read through the entire exchange and then walk me through their thought process. Well, the guy read it and said "Yea that doesn't really make sense." "I think what we may be waiting on is your supplementing documentation arguing your case." Fantastic, I just happen to have some documentation, and here is what my new builder sent me:
Automotive Transmission Engineering Corp
10901 Irma Drive. Suite A
Northglenn, CO 80233
303.280.1499 Office
303.280.1964
12/23/2014
Hello Mr. Farney,
This letter is written to give you our findings from our inspection and corrective actions, regarding your 1995 Ford F150 transmission.
The front pump and torque converter had damage around the hub/bushing causing extensive damage to the pump housing & gears. It’s obvious the bushing and torque converter hub was incorrectly installed. This caused extensive damage to the transmission, from loss of lubrication and line pressure. The transmission didn’t have adequate line pressure, further resulting in clutch failure. This condition caused the forward and direct clutch (3rd gear) failure. This damage further generated metal contamination to the control valve body escalating the cost of repair.
Further inspection concerned us when we discovered silicone sealant around the front pump O-ring seal. This most certainly identified an improper repair procedure. The quality of the repair previously performed was of very poor assembly practices.
Thank You,
Name redacted for privacy
President Automotive Transmission Engineering Corp.
---
So, it's clear the first shop completely f*cked me.
I called my credit card company, and asked if they would open a dispute if I sent them the same evidence of wrong-doing (receipts, warranty documentation, new receipts, letter from second builder). Not only did my credit card company agree to dispute the service, but credited the $1,342.25 back to my card. They said that they would contact the company, and present my case to them. However, they told me that they wouldn't be able to force the shop to credit my account, and if he refused the money would be recharged. But, if he did refuse, and they found in my favor, he could lose his credit card capabilities. Score! Good luck running an auto shop without being able to accept credit cards.
I highly doubt the BBB will rule in my favor, but maybe Visa will come through!