Opinions on Mechanic Issues

[dcmartinpc]

OK, so I will preface this with there has been a LOT of work performed on my SHO in the past couple weeks and I am not one to let other people work on my vehicles, but I didn't feel comfortable tackling the subframe.  I purchased it knowing some of the problems, others were discovered as we got in to it.  This is one of the, if not the best ford shop in the area.  Now everything is in good shape except for 1 issue.

First I will give a background as to what has been replaced.

Subframe
Knuckle LF, RF, and LR
Struts and mounts LF and RF
Lower Control Arm LF, RF, and LR
Rack and Pinion
Wheel hub bearing LF, RF, LR
Toe link LR
CV shaft LF, RF

The drivers side CV shaft was a bit of a debacle.  They replaced it, but apparently they received the wrong shaft and it was too long and I was told it was pushing the engine over about 2 inches, and they drove it with that axle in place!  They pulled it and put the original shaft back in while waiting for the new shaft to come from Ford.  Counting that up, the driver's side axle was swapped 3 times.  This information is important for what comes next.


4 days ago I was taking off and the transmission slipped and it started making a whining noise while in gear that changes with engine speed, like a hydraulic pump running low on fluid.  I checked the transmission fluid, which as many of you probably know means you have to remove the airbox.  Found low fluid and topped off.  I took it immediately to the shop.  They said they couldn't centralize the leak but it looked like it was coming from the front cover.  I told them I wish they would have called because I could have told them my 4 year old decided to "help" while I was topping off the fluid and a significant amount was spilled on the front cover....  Anyways, they degreased everything, topped off fluids and asked me to drive it some so the leak would show itself and come back Monday.

I drove it over the weekend as asked and decided to check everything out myself.  Jacked it up in the garage and I could watch fluid dripping from where the drivers side cv shaft enters the transaxle.  Now I am finding out they didn't replace this seal when replacing the axle, which would be fairly standard procedure for me while the axle is out and now it is leaking.  Seems to me replacing the shaft multiple times left much opportunity to damage said seal, but now they are wanting me to pay for the seal and labor to pull everything apart and replace everything...  Not happy as I feel this should be on them.

Beyond the seal, I am worried about the health of the transmission and the whine.  I don't know if it is still whining as I am supposed to pick it up this afternoon.  Should I be concerned?

Thoughts from other folks here?  Am I out of line?  I am OK with paying for the seal itself, but feel the labor should be covered under their 12 month warranty.  Should I pursue a new transmission if the whine is still there?

Thanks!

Don

[derfdog15]

Definitely should have inspected the seal at the very least on install, I would try and nail down if the mechanic that worked on the vehicle even did that to begin with.

IMO since the damge to the seal was most likely due to them, I would not even be willing to pay for a seal. You are nicer than me in that respect, for sure labor should be covered by them (they should have inspected the seal, and if it was damaged prior, called you at that point, said a new one was needed, charged for it, and done a proper install).

As for the shaft that was used, that is UNACCEPTABLE IMO. They should have eyeballed old vs. new side by side before install, and verified correct part numbers. Given that you said the engine was pushed over with the incorrect shaft, and the shaft goes into the transmission, that is definitely reason that the transmission could have damage, and implies to me that they damaged the seal and/or your transmission.

I would want something in writing that indicates if the seal and fluid do not fix the issue/the transmission has further issue they will foot the bill, as they are wholey liable in my opinion.

I would also contact ford customer service on your own regarding this issue (in its current state) so that it is on record, and they can help you get a more favorable result at the current moment and in the future.

[glock-coma]

I've heard about the whine sound when the cv shaft slips out from the splines. I recall someone here having that issue with the passenger side retaining clip.

[dcmartinpc]

I picked it up tonight. They cut most of the cost out and I only ended up paying $75. The whine is completely gone thankfully. It was more than I wanted to pay, but it's done and they already absorbed changing that axle 3 times and didn't charge me a penny for any of the extra swaps. As well they shouldn't have, but I didn't feel $75 was horrible if nothing else to pay for all the fluid they put in.

It is also almost eerie how quiet it is now...  kinda odd but maybe all that fluid change quieted things down. It shifts really well and not 1 sign of slippage or anything else off.

Don


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[SHOdded]

Hoping for the best, enjoy 2 the max!