Transmission backorder

[initforthelulz]

I was having transmission problems: missing shift points and holding until about 3.5-4k before shifting, slipping in and out of gear, sloppy shifts into second, bouncing of the rev limited 7 times under full acceleration and burning fluid.

I took it to the dealership (warranty) and they said that a piston failed and the tranny couldn't maintain pressure and in the process other things failed/burnt up with it.

Easy fix, right? Rebuild it, or just drop a new on in. Apparently this piston with an O-ring is on national back order and new 48REs that would be available contain this defected piston. My truck is now on week 3 of sitting in the shop, torn apart and they have no ideas for a time frame of getting it running.

Adding to the fun, I'm supposed to PCS to NJ next week. I called Dodge Corporate and am waiting a call back from the "case specialist", I'm hoping they can put some kind of priority on finding the parts or pay to ship my vehicle after they get it fixed.

Anybody here have any experience with this issue?

 

[SlvrSnake]

Find out exactly what parts you need and reach out to an aftermarket vendor that rebuilds transmissions, like HTS, Suncoast, etc., and see if they can help you out with the parts. See if Chrysler will honor the warranty and allow you to get those parts to fix it. Trust me you will be better off than using the factory internals in the transmission.

 

[initforthelulz]

Find out exactly what parts you need and reach out to an aftermarket vendor that rebuilds transmissions, like HTS, Suncoast, etc., and see if they can help you out with the parts. See if Chrysler will honor the warranty and allow you to get those parts to fix it. Trust me you will be better off than using the factory internals in the transmission.

I thought of that and brought it up to the Service Manager, and she called back and said aftermarket parts won't be authorized. When Dodge Corp. calls me back, I'll ask.

Thanks!

 

[SlvrSnake]

I thought of that and brought it up to the Service Manager, and she called back and said aftermarket parts won't be authorized. When Dodge Corp. calls me back, I'll ask.

Thanks!

Go over the Service Managers head and deal with Chrysler. They are the ones who authorize it, not the Service Manager. Good luck on getting her fixed.

 

[VPRPWRD]

I thought of that and brought it up to the Service Manager, and she called back and said aftermarket parts won't be authorized. When Dodge Corp. calls me back, I'll ask.

Thanks!

In circumstances like this aftermarket parts will be authorized for customer satisfaction. Push the issue and it will happen and hopefully have you back on the road in no time.

 

[viperhauler]

time for a 6spd swap

 

[initforthelulz]

Go over the Service Managers head and deal with Chrysler. They are the ones who authorize it, not the Service Manager. Good luck on getting her fixed.

In circumstances like this aftermarket parts will be authorized for customer satisfaction. Push the issue and it will happen and hopefully have you back on the road in no time.

Good to know! I'll definitely push the issue with Corporate when they call back.

time for a 6spd swap

I'd seriously consider it... if I had the cash at hand to make it happen!

 

[SlvrSnake]

Chrysler should work with you and if your lucky will pay for the parts outright but will more likely be willing to pay for half of the total cost.

 

[VIPR PWR]

What Piston/parts is it ?

 

[initforthelulz]

What Piston/parts is it ?

I honestly don't know the part #, I've just been told it's a piston with an O-ring. I'll try to get more info...

The dealerhsip just called me after getting a call from the Corp office. Apparently this part is backed up 2-3 months, but they did find ONE transmission in US that is in Detroit. It's supposed to be here next Monday(ish), but I'm set to leave here the 15th for a PCS, so that timeline doesn't really work. Also, Chrysler wouldn't authorize the use of aftermarket parts, they wouldn't budge on it.

The Service manager asked if I wanted to be transferred to the sales manager for a buy back... it's almost tempting lol. I'm frustrated because there was no communication until sh*t hit the fan and now in the process of moving and needing my truck, I don't have it. Shipping it across country is going to be anywhere from $1-2K and it's not an expense I can really take at the moment due to other life events. Not to mention, that I shouldn't have to pay to ship a vehicle because Dodge had it's thumb up it's ass when it comes to support with their parts and also not thinking ahead when they designed the truck. /Rant...

 

[Yellow venom]

So basically the dealer you have it at never checked for a tranny they wanted the rebuild cash! And now all of a sudden this magic tranny pops up ??? That's gotta be frustrating!!

 

[initforthelulz]

So basically the dealer you have it at never checked for a tranny they wanted the rebuild cash! And now all of a sudden this magic tranny pops up ??? That's gotta be frustrating!!

That could be... The dealer made it sound like something Chrysler had to approve to be released for my truck. But your theory makes more sense!

 

[TheMoparConnection]

the dealer would much rather replace it as a unit, warranty doesnt pay anything to rebuild a trans. There is a 70% rule with warranty. You can only replace a trans with a complete assembly if the cost to rebuild it exceeds 70% of the cost of replacing the unit. Since the part was on backorder Chrysler has to approve the replacement.

 

[initforthelulz]

the dealer would much rather replace it as a unit, warranty doesnt pay anything to rebuild a trans. There is a 70% rule with warranty. You can only replace a trans with a complete assembly if the cost to rebuild it exceeds 70% of the cost of replacing the unit. Since the part was on backorder Chrysler has to approve the replacement.

Aw, you're no fun

Thanks for the clarification though. It's easier to assume the dealer is out to screw you.

 

[VPRPWRD]

Aw, you're no fun

Thanks for the clarification though. It's easier to assume the dealer is out to screw you.

Not all of them are, but the ones that are make a bad name for every dealership.

 

[initforthelulz]

I went to the dealership today to see about getting a rental under my warranty. Since I'm moving I need a truck to make a few trips to the dump to haul some oversized items, and I'll be out of my house before the weekly trash pickup. There's only one Enterprise place in town and the FBI has all 3 of their Ram trucks out and the earliest return is going to be on Monday. I can't win for losing...

Good news though is that the transmission Chrysler authorized is a brand new one and not a re-manufactured one that would normally be used. The earliest it'll be here is Friday and they'd have it in my truck and ready to go by Saturday, so I'm praying the freight truck hauls ass to MT.

The part they've had an issue with is an aluminum piston with an O-ring. Due to the heat and stresses in the transmission that piston was constantly flexing and getting weaker. It wasn't a parts issue, but a vendor issue and it's something Dodge has been working on.

 

[initforthelulz]

Update

I convinced corporate to cover the labor costs of installing JTSVPs oil cooler lines and new spark plugs. I wanted to get this done before our 2,200 mile trip but I haven't had access and the dealer wanted $300 in labor.

My date to leave got bumped till the 20th, so this is good because the truck will be up and running again. The bad though is that my wife has some medical issues and I don't have a third driver anymore as the person that could help was available for the initial time frame, but not next week.

My pop said I need to push Dodge to ship it or buy it back.

Thoughts? I love the idea of having one less vehicle to drive if they ship it. Buying it back though... I love the truck. But it's not exactly the most economical thing to keep on the street and once we're back in NJ we'll be doing A LOT of driving due to our families in VA and NY. But I'd get boned on the deal.

 

[SlvrSnake]

If you plan on driving the crap out of it when you get it back. I would unfortunately say that going with the buy back and perhaps seeing if they can give you a good deal on a new one would probably be in your best interest. If you intend to use this as a daily driver for long distances it is going to kill you in gas.

On another note the stock transmissions are really hit or miss and your best bet is to plan to get the valve body replaced with an aftermarket rebuilt one from someone like HTS as was mentioned earlier with some other parts to go with it. You can get those parts for around $500 or less, do a search on 48re on this forum. If you keep the truck and start noticing delayed 2-3 shifts at WOT throttle upgrade the valve body ASAP and be prepared to buy new clutches as well as they will be burnt.

Good luck with it and getting a new trans is definitely a good thing. Hope you end up keeping it. These things are like a hot girlfriend. They're fun to be seen with but a bitch to live with