Blew 2nd gear...need advice

[NMviperguy]

I don't know why they would have you send it to a dealership with a certified viper tech that will not rebuild manual transmissions... I would voice this before they try moving it... See if you can talk to him before moving the car unnecessarily.

 

[cdover73]

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Update...

I ended up paying the transport cost to get it to Baton Rouge last week. By Wednesday the mechanic text me and sent a pic of the problem. 2nd gear was completely stripped. I called Tremec after realizing while I was in Detroit last week I was only 12 miles from their HQ so I wanted to see if I could stop in to discuss. They asked if it was a warranty repair and I said yes, so he told me he couldn't even talk to me about it or give any advice and to not bother stopping by...which I thought was kind of crappy. Anyway, the mechanic is out this week on vacation, but he said they are waiting on Chrysler to make a call anyway. Hopefully by next week we will have a game plan.

 

[Viper X]

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Update...

I ended up paying the transport cost to get it to Baton Rouge last week. By Wednesday the mechanic text me and sent a pic of the problem. 2nd gear was completely stripped. I called Tremec after realizing while I was in Detroit last week I was only 12 miles from their HQ so I wanted to see if I could stop in to discuss. They asked if it was a warranty repair and I said yes, so he told me he couldn't even talk to me about it or give any advice and to not bother stopping by...which I thought was kind of crappy. Anyway, the mechanic is out this week on vacation, but he said they are waiting on Chrysler to make a call anyway. Hopefully by next week we will have a game plan.

Same thing that happened to me, though I was making a bit more power than you likely are (925 rwhp / 860 rwtq).

Dan

 

[cdover73]

Yeah...mine is stock. But i was in normal traffic at normal speeds. All the guy at Tremec would say is maybe there was a cracked tooth on the gear and it decided to go and took the rest with it. Makes sense I guess, but if i have driven the car anywhere near its limits since ive had it to cause this then i want my Mustang back. I drove iy much harder and banged the heck out if it and never saw this kind of damage. The point is this shouldnt have happened. However, i cant speak for how the previous owner drove it.

 

[cdover73]

Got a call from Salsbury ths morning. First thing he said was "they came and looked and told me to tell you Merry Christmas! They will fix it this time but if it comes back like this they won't do it again. Also, you need to give us $1400 for a clutch kit." Merry Christmas my f'ing a$$!!!!! I told him I wasn't paying for $%@! and they WILL fix it even if I bring it back 200 times for the same thing because that is why I paid for the extended warranty!! My blood pressure is still high! I knew this was gonna happen. Everytime I deal with a 'stealership' I get this treatment. Thank God for the fine people at Riverland who are working with me through this, even when they don't have to at this point. And also Dodge Customer Service, who will send a nice email to the owner of Riverland for their above and beyond service, and a not-so-nice one to the owner of Salsbury for the Merry Xmas comment.

I hate to be put in a position to be a butthole. But this takes the cake. Sorry for venting here, but I never have the luck to just take something in, get it fixed, and not have any issues. It's always this. I paid for an extra warranty and they immediately try to say I was racing the car just because it's a Viper. It doesn't matter that I have had it 8 mths and haven't even put 4000 miles on it, drive it to car shows 90% of the time, spend hours detailing it, only to have it blow while returning from a nice dinner with my wife! I told them I am 42 years old, I am past the street racing phase. And if I wanted a car to destroy I would've bought an Omni instead of a Viper!! This is a very rare opportunity only very few are blessed with...you think I'm gonna watch one of my 'dream' cars go up in a cloud of white tire smoke while I beat the crap out of it???!!! Really???

Anyway, the end result of the day is the Salsbury service manager is checking to see if I can put an aftermarket HP clutch kit in, which I can get for a lower price than their stock one, Dodge CS is looking into a full refund of my transportation costs as well as reimbursement of my car payments for the one or two months I can't drive the car, and they will fix the few other issues I listed while it's in there (driver door window not lowering, oil pan seeping, PS hose integrity, and find the loose rattle underneath). I hope it gets better, because I didn't factor the price of a lawyer into the overall cost of the car when I bought it...horrible experience so far!! To me it's simple: my car broke; it is covered under the warranty I paid for; FIX IT!!

 

[cdover73]

I ordered the SPEC Stage 2+ kit and Fidanza flywheel today. Almost $500 cheaper than what the dealer wanted for an OEM clutch and no flywheel! Thanks Jon at Parts Rack (if I can say that on here...). Also talked to Salsbury and there seems to be a little more willingness to fix the car on their behalf for some reason. He told me he would order the transmission today. However, he called back later to say it was on backorder but Dodge CS SRT division is working with him to expedite the order. I should have the clutch kit early next week and will hand deliver it to him. Maybe I will get the car back soon after all.

And I apologize for the venting above. I'm sure most of you can relate to the frustration of this situation at some point or another though.

 

[2001-V10 Power Nut]

What a freaking disaster, sounds like you found the armpit dealership of the south. While I don't condone suing everyone (sorry attorneys on here) I have found that having a good attorney help you in situations like this does wonders. If you don't get what you want soon, I would seriously consider letting an attorney look at the warranty papers. Good luck !

 

[cdover73]

Well, that's what I was thinking at first. The Merry Christmas comment really cut through me and you can imagine my frustration. But now that the Dodge CS SRT group is involved things have changed. The dealer is one of the biggest in the South. They are always busy and I can't imagine having this guy's job. So in defense of the dealership, I have to say they are working with me now. It was a shaky start but I found that calming down and talking sensibly, even throwing an apology out for my reaction, you get a little more willingness from people to help. Everything is being documented in this claim and it looks like we have all come to an agreement. Fingers crossed....

 

[2001-V10 Power Nut]

Hopefully so, keep us posted

 

[cdover73]

Update...

I took the clutch and flywheel kit to the dealer yesterday. It was nice to put a face to the service manager. He seems sincere in getting the car fixed. He told me the tranny order is being pushed by the SRT dept and hopefully will be here soon. They put a delivery date of 8/18 on it. Not sure if thats a confirmed eta or just a date they give themselves to find one. Anyway, its a waiting game now. The car is tying up one of their racks so im sure they want it out of there.

I will continue to update as events occur. If nothing else this gives me a means of tracking the progress for documentation sake.

 

[cdover73]

Talked to customer service again this morning. They verified the trans has been ordered from overseas and the eta is August 18th. I still don't understand why they won't use the RSGear trans as Tremec backs them as a certified builder of their units??? I can get one delivered within 2 days for $2200 off the shelf. Just because they're not a Dodge certified vendor doesn't mean a little common sense shouldn't be used! Why pay $5800 plus overseas shipping when they can get it right here in the USA for half that?

 

[steve e]

That's why the bail outs, the company is run by a bunch of jack ass

 

[NMviperguy]

Weird. Why are they shipping it in from overseas to begin with? I would think since all the big 3 used them their would be a stockpile surplus somewhere??

 

[cdover73]

steve e - I agree!
NMviperguy - I'm not sure. I'm baffled by this. Like I said, Tremec backs Rockland Standard Gear's builds, so if they are good enough for the manufacturer, why wouldn't they be good enough for Dodge?? Dodge buys the T56 from Tremec. I bet if Tremec doesn't have one on the shelf then Dodge gets the RSGear direct and don't even realize it. Makes no sense to me... The days of "Made in the USA" are now "Made in the USA but purchased from overseas". I wonder if it's coming from China???

 

[cdover73]

Found out today that the 8/18 eta just got moved back to 8/25. And no word whether they will consider the RSGear unit. Oh well...hurry up and wait!

 

[cdover73]

Update....

I thought I had my car back Saturday, but my luck doesn't work that way as ya'll know by now. I was called Friday that the car was ready. The transmission came in and was installed with my new flywhell, clutch, etc. The tech test drove the car Friday for a total of 3 miles around neighborhood streets with plenty of stop and go, upshifting, downshifting...and he sad it drove very nicely.

So I show up Saturday morning to pick the car up. The service mgr and the tech meet me at the shop and the tech (Chris) goes to get the car to pull it around. About 5 minutes later he comes walking back up with a look of disgust saying "you're not gonna believe this". Apparently, when he went to put it in gear there was no clutch pedal. So we put it on the lift and he had a co-worker get in to work the pedal while he bled the clutch again. With full pedal he was only getting a dribble out each time he bled it. We both looked at each other and said "master cylinder". Yep...just my luck. The car drives fine until I go pick it up and the dang MC goes out RIGHT there!!! I guess it could have been worse and happened down the street, but it is still frustrating.

He ordered the new MC and will install it this week. I should have the car by the weekend.

The only thing we could come up with was the new clutch having a little more spring and the extra effort needed to actuate it may have caused the MC to go out. With a 12 year old car that has seen more inside than outside, seals and orings tend to stiffen and crack. We think it was a matter of time. The only thing it brings to questions for me now is...what's next?!

 

[steve e]

That's not so bad, at least the whole clutch system is now new. If I was doing a new clutch, flywheel ect I would replace the master to.

 

[cdover73]

Good point...

I forgot to mention that when all this happened all I could think was "Oh great, now they gonna try to say the MC caused the trans to fail" and try to make me pay for the repair. The tech and I actually talked about it and since it drove good when he test drove it and went out after he went to bring it around with him behind the wheel then we are all good.

But for argument sake (and me still trying to figure out how it happened)...let me know your thoughts about this scenario:

The trans blew when shifting from 1st to 2nd around 3800-4000rpm and ~30mph. I clutched, shifted gears, and on the way off the pedal almost at the top it blew. Now, let's say the MC had gone out while I had the clutch in, allowing the clutch to slam shut since it could no longer be held out by the pedal, and it happened just as the synchro's were lining up with 2nd gear, but not quite there yet....could that cause the gear to strip like it did in a perfect world? hmmm..... To me it would be like your foot slipping off the pedal before you were fully shifted, which normally causes a 'grind em til you find em' remark from your buddy in the passenger seat.

 

[cdover73]

Its baaaackk!!!

Picked it up this evening. Its been 10 weeks since it went out but it is back in my shop as we speak. Drove it home and it felt great but I have to say I was on eggshells the whole time expecting something to go wrong. But it didn't. Now I just have to finish up with Dodge on the reimbursements and stuff.

I can't get over how light the aftermarket clutch is. I don't know if it's the brand new master cyl or what, but it is literally twice as light as stock! The lightweight flywheel spins up nice and crisp. There is no lag, no stumble, just clamp and go. The B&M short throw and First Strike knob top it off very nice. No more branding iron of a shifter (doesn't get nearly as hot on top) and is just the right height. Anybody considering an upgrade to a short throw and shifter, I highly recommend this set up.

It's been a long couple months. I appreciate everyone allowing me to vent and providing their feedback when needed. Now on to the next steps...gears, exhaust, intake/head upgrade, ...does it ever stop??

 

[ViperJeff]

Good to hear

 

[NMviperguy]

Its baaaackk!!!

Picked it up this evening. Its been 10 weeks since it went out but it is back in my shop as we speak. Drove it home and it felt great but I have to say I was on eggshells the whole time expecting something to go wrong. But it didn't. Now I just have to finish up with Dodge on the reimbursements and stuff.

I can't get over how light the aftermarket clutch is. I don't know if it's the brand new master cyl or what, but it is literally twice as light as stock! The lightweight flywheel spins up nice and crisp. There is no lag, no stumble, just clamp and go. The B&M short throw and First Strike knob top it off very nice. No more branding iron of a shifter (doesn't get nearly as hot on top) and is just the right height. Anybody considering an upgrade to a short throw and shifter, I highly recommend this set up.

It's been a long couple months. I appreciate everyone allowing me to vent and providing their feedback when needed. Now on to the next steps...gears, exhaust, intake/head upgrade, ...does it ever stop??

It's been a long run and I'm glad to hear its finally over! Now no more shifting like a teenager!!! J/K. I have a question, since you really don't drive it hard why do the above listed upgrades for just normal driving. If you plan on Racing of any kind awesome, but new heads for no reason seems pricey

 

[cdover73]

It's been a long run and I'm glad to hear its finally over! Now no more shifting like a teenager!!! J/K. I have a question, since you really don't drive it hard why do the above listed upgrades for just normal driving. If you plan on Racing of any kind awesome, but new heads for no reason seems pricey

Very logical and fair question...you even have me asking myself the same thing. You're right, I don't plan on racing the car. I don't knock those that do at all, but I look at this car as something only a few of us are lucky to have. Therefore, I choose not to risk early mechanical failure by putting the car through the rigorous paces of high rev fast laps. So, why do I want more out of it? I guess I'm still a muscle car guy at heart. I have a '67 Coronet that I have been building for at least 8 years. 10 grand in the motor and a complete undercarriage later, I am still faced with paint, body, and interior to finish. I have realized I will have more in the car than what it is worth. When my wife and I bought the Viper it kind of replaced our plans to have the Coronet as a show car. We now proudly display the Viper at as many shows as we can attend. So, to be short, I am selling the Coronet. That leaves me with the Viper as a canvas. Even though it is wild bone stock, I'm the type to go above and beyond to see what I can make of something.

I also have to be fair and admit I can't say the car won't ever see a track, just to see what it can do. But I want it to be as fast and loud as possible just sitting still. I take your joke about "shifting like a teenager" as it was meant, with no offense at all. I don't know why the gear blew that night. Could have been a long time fracture that finally gave up. Could have been something done before I owned the car. Or, could have just been my natural bad luck that seems to always follow me. Idk, but it wasn't because I was slamming on it for sure. But the failure allowed me to start the upgrades, so I guess sometimes things do happen for a reason. I want to build the car to its highest potential. My dad once said, when I was looking to buy a piece of equipment for my business, "get the one with the most power. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it". I guess I still apply that to whatever I deal with.

Thanks for urging me to answer that....

 

[NMviperguy]

Haha, I've followed this thread since day one so of course know you weren't slamming the gears. I think that's an honest answer. Eventually I will throw gobs of money into my hood as well, but for now I just enjoy the weekend drives and beating the occasional stingray or C6 or whatever iteration of mustang v8 that rolls by. I've enjoyed following along with anticipation of when your car would finally return and when you're ready will be right there with you during the build as well. I look forward to the direction you choose!

 

[ViperVass]

My guess is: if it isn't you it has to be the guy before you. It's sports car, it is going to be driven

 

[sidwin]

I have to admit reading this thread makes me want to get a fidelity extended warranty. I hate the stupid cag shift system. Will be bypassing that soon enough.

Thanks - Sid