2005 Duramax/Allison tranfer case failure

[oletimer]

I have a 2005 2500 diesel and the transfer case went out at 57,000 mile. I must give John Roberts Chevy in Gunnison,Co a lot of credit. They know what customer service is even if the mother company does not. They tried to get Chevrolet to help with the replacement costs but to no avail. We were on the road traveling when we experienced the problems and John Roberts took us in as if we were locals and had dealt with them for years. When I returned home I tried to get GM to compensate us for the repair cost but the only thing I got was that it was out of warrantee. I felt this had to be a defective part to begin with since the life expectancy of a transfer case should not be 50K miles. I got no satisfaction at all. Just the company line. This vehicle has been in the shop more than any I have had in years. That being said this is my first "American" made vehicle in years. I must say if Toyota made a diesel truck that would pull our 5th wheel camper I would buy it. I did a lot of research before buying this vehicle and determined that the Chevy Duramax/Allison was the best. Unfortunately Chevy will not back its product. It does not make me want to purchase any more domestic brands. There was a thread here in 2007 regarding this issue and apparently Chevy will back some requests. There was a gentleman with 78K and Chevy replaced the part all he had to do was pay for the installation. That would have appeased me but they were not willing to do anything but give me the warrantee information. I asked if this was the life expectancy of a transfer case but all I got was you are out of warrantee.

[MrCritical]

First of all, I'm sorry for your breakdown. Exactly how did the transfer case fail? Leak? broken part?

In 2007, Chevy would back some requests. This is two years later. A lot has changed.

As for Chevy backing their product, it would seem they backed it to the full extent of their written warranty. Say you signed a contract to pay for the truck in 48 payments. After the last payment, how would you feel if they came back and asked you for more money? That's the same thing as asking them to pay for something out of written warranty.

If it was a defective part to begin with, it's not likely it would have lasted 57k. I agree the life expectancy of a transfer case should have been longer, but you have to set limits as to what you will pay for, otherwise no one could afford the sales price. Anything man made is subject to fail.

Toyota has it's own problems which you can find easily with a Google search. The Tundra is far from a bullet proof truck.

[oletimer]

Originally Posted by MrCritical

First of all, I'm sorry for your breakdown. Exactly how did the transfer case fail? Leak? broken part?

In 2007, Chevy would back some requests. This is two years later. A lot has changed.

As for Chevy backing their product, it would seem they backed it to the full extent of their written warranty. Say you signed a contract to pay for the truck in 48 payments. After the last payment, how would you feel if they came back and asked you for more money? That's the same thing as asking them to pay for something out of written warranty.

If it was a defective part to begin with, it's not likely it would have lasted 57k. I agree the life expectancy of a transfer case should have been longer, but you have to set limits as to what you will pay for, otherwise no one could afford the sales price. Anything man made is subject to fail.

Toyota has it's own problems which you can find easily with a Google search. The Tundra is far from a bullet proof truck.

MrCritical , The transfer case never leaked. I thought it was the transmission but luckily it turned out to be the transfer case. It started with a skip like the tranmission was banging a gear hard then it progressed to a grinding and almost free wheeling. When I took it in the mechanic pulled the tranmission pan but everything looked good so he then inspected the transfer case. The fluid came out grey and shined with a light on it. The case I referred to where Chevy replaced the part at 78K was a 2001. My contention is why does Chevy help one out and not another. There is no way a transfer case should have failed so soon. Yes the Tundra has it's problems too but I have owned many Toyota trucks and never had a major repair on any of them. All went over 100K +. I just think Chevy should back there product better.

[MrCritical]

If you look at that post from 2007, he says it happened the spring before-probably 2006.

If you've watched the news lately, you know the "old" GM is dead. They can't do business like they used to even if they wanted to. Welcome to doing bidness with the government. So that answers your contention why they help out one and not another.

Today's truck, no matter what the brand, shares many components. The transmission in your new Ford may be exactly the same as in your new GMC-GM and Ford design transmissions together. Pontiacs and Toyotas shared designs and powertrains. Toyota marketed a Cavalier overseas with name badge changes. Dodge and GM share hybrid technology. Your new Toyota could very well have powertrain components in common with GM or any other manufacturer.

I've seen Ford not "step up" when a transmission or engine failed at 39,000 miles and less than 3 years old. So changing brands will probably get you nowhere.

Look for manufacturers to warranty their products for as long as they say they will. Buy a service contract if you need more coverage.

Personally, with the latest news of hiding rollover and unintended acceleration news, I wouldn't be putting my family in a Toyota product. But do what's best for you.

[oletimer]

The post from 2007 had two others poster that had transfer case failures and where not compensated. 2007 it was still the "old Chevy". Don't blame the governments bail out as their lack of customer service.

[doh]

Since moving over to selling Fords, I have run into 3 GM transfer case problems. All Auto Trac, 2 were trade ins, an 03 Envoy, and an 02 Sierra. The third was a traveling crew going fishing up north of us. They purchased the truck used at a Ford dealership and purchased Ford ESP, with it.

All 3 were slightly out of Factory Warranty.

In the years I have been selling Fords, I have seen 2 Ford Transfer Case failures, both within Warranty miles, and fixed at No Charge.

I understand New Process builds them, but maybe Auto Trac, isn't the best thing since sliced bread I once thought. Being I see 50-75 Fords in the shop to every 1 GM.

My NP 205 in a 1997 GM hasn't givin me a lick of trouble, 225,000kms and at least 1/4 of thoses km's snow plowing.

[linton23]

I think if it had happened at your selling dealer or the one you have a relationship with it might have been different. Of course you go in saying about how good your old Toyota's were that might not be the case. I have seen this issue covered in our shop because they were a good customer. What the dealer says to you and then to his rep is 2 different thing plus the rep will see you are traveling as well and decide its not his problem.

[sonjaab]

GM has had issues with its regular New Process transfer cases with a problem called "pump rub".
This is where a spacer breaks its ONE measly spacing clip
and the edges of this "spacer" wears a hole in the case and the fluid leaks out leading to transfer case failure.

There is a company that has different designed "spacers" with a "L" shaped corners to prevent this.
This "pump rub" issue is all over many GM Truck forums.

As far as outright failure from other than the "pump rub" issue I only rarely read about failure from abuse!

I myself had a GM New process Auto-trac case failure in my 01 2500 LD where I burned the "clutches" out of it from ABUSE snowplowing and it was repaired under warranty.

BTW: Doesn't the almighty "toyoyo" blundra use a New Process case also?

[oletimer]

Originally Posted by linton23

I think if it had happened at your selling dealer or the one you have a relationship with it might have been different. Of course you go in saying about how good your old Toyota's were that might not be the case. I have seen this issue covered in our shop because they were a good customer. What the dealer says to you and then to his rep is 2 different thing plus the rep will see you are traveling as well and decide its not his problem.

Linton , I am not stupid. I would not have gone in to the GM shop bragging about Toyota. The people in Co. were outstanding and everyone from the mechanic, service manager , and saleman. The saleman was the warrantee man also and I sat in his office while he called so there were no behind the back conversations. In fact we bought our son a car while there also. The mechanic and service manager both said they have not seen this problem with such low mileage. It is a bow tie town especially since the Ford dealership folded. Chevy was just not willing to help. What difference does it make whether you are home or on the road. Good customer or not. If the part is defective and prematurely fails it should be at least partially compensated for.

[shadams]

This is a perfect example of why one should buy an extended warranty. You never know what is going to happen. As far as your situation, It sounds to me like they put on a show for you, as I generally have little trouble getting GM to help, esp with the low mileage on your vehicle. It is a little old though, and that may have had something to do with it.

[linton23]

Originally Posted by oletimer

Linton , I am not stupid. I would not have gone in to the GM shop bragging about Toyota. The people in Co. were outstanding and everyone from the mechanic, service manager , and saleman. The saleman was the warrantee man also and I sat in his office while he called so there were no behind the back conversations. In fact we bought our son a car while there also. The mechanic and service manager both said they have not seen this problem with such low mileage. It is a bow tie town especially since the Ford dealership folded. Chevy was just not willing to help. What difference does it make whether you are home or on the road. Good customer or not. If the part is defective and prematurely fails it should be at least partially compensated for.

Its not up to the dealer as much as the zone rep for that area. If you are passing through his area they will be less likely to help. We have good luck getting help for our local customers but it is harder to get it for someone passing through. We get a lot of breakdown traffic as we are the only store in a wide area. We have seen some change in the last few days GM has told us that we can now decide on courtesy warranty work we still have to answer to GM but in most cases we can go without approval first.

[oletimer]

Originally Posted by shadams

This is a perfect example of why one should buy an extended warranty. You never know what is going to happen. As far as your situation, It sounds to me like they put on a show for you, as I generally have little trouble getting GM to help, esp with the low mileage on your vehicle. It is a little old though, and that may have had something to do with it.

Shadams , If you beleive in Consumer Reports they do not recommend extended warrantees. In this case it may have helped but from my experience it is hard to get much satisfaction from extended warrantees also. As far as putting on a show I sincerely doubt that was the case. It is a very small town and they still beleive in customer service. They also discounted the labor for me and knocked off another $200 to help. I can not complain about John Roberts and in fact if I were to buy another Chevy I would go to them. Our local dealership does not have a very good reputation and they definately do not deal. At least that was the case when I was looking for this vehicle. When the turbo went south on the duramax they had it for almost a month. Not exactly speedy repairs. We spend at least a couple of months a year in Co. because my son is the local golf pro there. So we are not entirely strangers to the area.