Tranny warranty void because car is lowered??!!??

[magicman1215]

So about 5 mos ago I had my transmission rebuilt by a my mechanic. After I spent the $2100 to have it rebuilt, I got the car back in working condition and with a 6 month warranty. About 1 month after I got the car back I had my coilovers installed and lowered the car somewhat considerably. Now, 5 months after the rebuild, the transmission is acting up again (feels like it starts in 2nd gear and shifts hard), but after having the mechanic inspect the transmission he said that he could not find anything wrong with the tranny when test driving it, but did notice a lot of scrape marks to the bottom of the car. Some of which he said we're also on the tranny itself. (I still have yet to see the car on a lift so I have not seen the marks). When I initially noticed the tranny acting up, the TCS and CEL lights were both on, but then went back off shortly thereafter. I was worried about something like this happening and wanted to know if I may have actually damaged the transmission in any way just by lowering the car. I know I definitely scraped occasionally, but nothing ever severe enough to where I thought I may have damaged the transmission. The warranty stated it would be considered void if the tranny was "abused or run hot" Please, anybody that can lend some advice would be appreciated.

 

[SykVSyx]

You need to see the underside yourself, and I would take pics.

I have never heard of anyone complaining that they are smacking the tranny even if they are slammed, so I think your mechanic is just looking to get out of having to put more work/effort in to the tranny and not being financially compensated.

Since you are almost at the 5 month+ mark, I would suggest you get that car in there and get that tranny fixed asap. He is obligated to fix it and unless you are off-roading or racing, there is no abuse to the tranny, he HAS TO fix it.

BTW, any shop worth their salt, should give at least a 1 year warranty.

 

[RedRyder]

He's trying to screw you. You'd scrape the oil pan before the crank case.

Tell him he did a ****ty job and needs to fix it. Unless you're past your 6 month warranty...

 

[Narftastic]

He's lieing.. I scrape and hit frame hard all the time n never hit my trans.. Tell em u wanna see under the car and if they won't fix it you'll take em to court

 

[DarkSideAccord]

i have heard dealerships do this.. they state that being lowered increases the burden on the tranny, thus making them more prone to malfunction

 

[20-CG5-01]

He's lieing.. I scrape and hit frame hard all the time n never hit my trans.. Tell em u wanna see under the car and if they won't fix it you'll take em to court

This, I'm pretty sure the shop Doesn't want to replace or fix that trans.

You'll scrape the **** out of your oil pan, sub frame, and put a hole in your down pipe before you hit the transmission. Unless you hit a giant pothole on your passenger side and the transmission hitting the ground.

 

[SykVSyx]

If Bill, Keith, Kevin and a small handful of other have never hit their tranny, then I am sure being lowered won't do anything to it.

 

[baerj1]

it is possible to damage a transmission by altering the ride height but i would concider it unlikely... that said take it to a different reputible trans shop and have them diagnose it and give you a something on paper to show the original shop my guess with lights coming on would be a loose wiring harness somewhere and not a mechanical problem but that is a guess... good luck

 

[98ExAccordwv]

You more than likely have not hit your transmission on anything. Now their claim that being lowered can damage a transmission doesn't make sense, because of the fact we use CV joints which maintains the correct angle at which the axle enters the transmission. The shop is trying to get out of warrantying the transmission. I would definitely do everything you can to make them take care of the problem.

 

[Mikey]

No, dont make them take care of it; make them PAY for someone else to take care of it.

If they're feeding you this BS about your ride height voiding warranty, they dont wanna fix it. If you bring them proof that pretty much says they have to fix it, you're gonna have troubles all the time.

Take it to another shop--hell, take it to several other shops, have it diaged. Take that proof to the original shop and show them. Then, tell them you want them to pay for someone else to fix it.