One month out of Warranty - Triple Whammy

[stayawayski70]

"I should of shut my mouth" is what I said to SWMBO. After pulling off the freeway at Newie, the 1st set of traffic lights on the link rd started changing. I depressed the clutch and straight to the floor she went and unable to change gears. Master cylinder me thinks. So after a phone call of shame the truck was on a flatbed to the dealership......1st whammy.

Parts took a while to get there but 7 days after arriving it should be good to pick up (that was today). I phone them around 11 this morning to ask what time it will be ready. "There is a problem.....whilst your car was on the hoist the mechanic noticed oil coming from the transfer case" :o Yep needing a job on the transfer case as there was less than half the oil in it.......but not one oil stain on the garage floor :mad:So off I head into the dealership to discuss the 2k price tag on the transfer case issue......when speaking to the mechanic he showed me how much play was in the front of the transfer case......more than a hooker on a busy night.......so it wasn't just a new seal job but I wasn't going to fork that sort of coin out.....looking for non genuine parts now. ......2nd whammy

Well they reckon things come in 3's. When the mechanic says "I think you need to have a look at this" I thought here comes the third. I was right. He takes the rear axle hub off and reveals an axle with almost as much play as the transfer had. When I start asking questions about the driveline slip I had been getting (particularly in 6th gear around 90-110kph-and reported to be checked out at numerous services) he said it definitely could be a causal agent. "Why wasn't it picked up during the services"? (within the warranty period). "The problem must have arisen since the last service" was the reply.:censored: me is what I thought.....3rd whammy

In a conversation I had with my wife 6 weeks ago (2 weeks b4 the warranty ran out) I said I haven't had an issue with the truck. Its done everything we've wanted without a hitch...."I should have shut my mouth" :)

[Drover]

Talk to your dealer and LRA, if you have had all your services done by an authorised dealer I am pretty confident they (LRA) will come to the party and cover your repairs.

I was still having warranty repairs carried 3 months out the warranty period. If you don't ask and give it a very polite push.....you won't recieve.

Good luck.

[Disco Muppet]

Given that you've reported the issue that they think is related to the play while it was during the warranty period, as Drover says, LR should be coming to the party.

[Rick Fischer]

Something for all to Note, for even a few years down the track, or failure at unreasonable kilometers..............and for all/most consumer products.

In addition to the manufacturer's warranty there is now the new Statute Warranty rules from ACCC per Trade Practices Act amended in 2011 This essentially says that if the whatever does not perform or did not last a "reasonable" time with "reasonable" usage (obviously here with "proper" "appropriate" service and maintenance) then irrespective of the manufacturer's stated warranty, the manufacturer is still responsible. Their bit of paper really doesn't come into it.

Therefore, discussions with your Dealer and LRA should yield a good result, if not firstly point out the amendments to the TPA, and after that a solicitor's letter stating the problems and quoting the appropriate sections would hopefully do the trick :)

Not all that simple of course (though it may be), but there is decent recourse for product purchased after the amendment's effective date.

Cheers

RF

[newhue]

Not really an answer, but axels and new drive flanges you can do yourself and shouldn't cost that much. See how you go with the dealer but it may be worth keeping in mind.

PM me if you don't know how. Honestly if I can do it you can.

[Didge]

2nd what RF said but he said it in more detail. Yes, rear axles and drive flanges are so easy you'll hit yourself for paying to have it done. Save the money and buy a torque wrench for future jobs. Std axles and flanges will be about $120-$150/ set and HD about $700-$800. My std axles lasted about 25000ks before getting sloppy again through wear; go hd if you can.

[stayawayski70]

Thanks for the responses guys....I will definitely hit you up Newhue for a axles and flanges for dummies :) I am however thinking that when the next set of rear axles go I will upgrade to maxi (hitoughs) and more than likely a locker....a job that I wouldn't want to solo without at least giving someone a hand first to see how its done.

Well I went back and spoke to the service manager who agreed that these items were definitely ones that were listed in previous jobs. However, as it was 3 weeks out of warranty he couldn't authorise it himself but it shouldn't be a problem and only needing approval up the line:D He has all the parts ready to go and will contact me tomorrow regarding authorisation. So fingers crossed happy ending to the triple whammy:cool:

[n plus one]

Thanks for the responses guys....I will definitely hit you up Newhue for a axles and flanges for dummies :) I am however thinking that when the next set of rear axles go I will upgrade to maxi (hitoughs) and more than likely a locker....a job that I wouldn't want to solo without at least giving someone a hand first to see how its done.

Well I went back and spoke to the service manager who agreed that these items were definitely ones that were listed in previous jobs. However, as it was 3 weeks out of warranty he couldn't authorise it himself but it shouldn't be a problem and only needing approval up the line:D He has all the parts ready to go and will contact me tomorrow regarding authorisation. So fingers crossed happy ending to the triple whammy:cool:

Nice one - sounds like the service up that way has improved a lot!

[stayawayski70]

Keeping you all up dated on the state of affairs.

Well 10 days on since the service manager said he would push the issue up the line....still no word as to whether the claim will get thru under warranty:( likely to be mid week....feel like I'm back at footy practice running in circles around the oval.

When I phoned Friday indicating they have had the truck 3 weeks whether a loan car was possible, the answer was unfortunately no :o I understand things take time but would have thought a loan car wouldn't be too much of a stretch given the timeframe they have had the truck.

[Disco Muppet]

You'd think so wouldn't you :(

[ATH]

Just before my warranty ran out I had it checked by an independent and they found worn rear axles and thought there was a noise in the rear diff. I thought it came from the engine, the Cook thought gearbox area. Anyway the stealer checked it out and reckoned it was the transfer case but no recond boxes available anywhere.
Couple of weeks later I ring up and it's nearly ready with a brand new transfer box being fitted.:D
I've been quite happy with the way Barbagallos have looked after the vehicle especially considering I've never had it serviced there.
AlanH.

[stayawayski70]

Well its now been 5 weeks that the car has been in the hands of the service department. I would like to say I am happy with the outcome, but that can't be further than the truth.


The issue with the clutch has been resolved with a +ve, with LR paying 80% & myself 20%. I guess I could whinge that I was only 3 weeks out of a 3 yr warranty which isn't an 80/20 split but happy that they accepted most of the cost.:BigThumb:


However, both the transfer case issue and the rear axle have been rejected multiple times. The service dept was asked to submit different information including photos to the LR engineers but apparently as the transfer case and rear axle were never specifically referred to by myself LR are not accepting liability at this stage. I am currently attempting a resolution with the Customer Care Manager at this point......for those like myself that aren't mechanically savvy I would suggest that any noise you believe is not normal that you ask what could be the likely impact of that (ie drivetrain noise affecting tfer case and rear axles) and have tfer case and rear axles noted on the service documentation.


I still love my truck but the love is getting whittled away