Ok, so now you are looking for a scapegoat and calling the shop liars?. Something goes wrong, you seem to be quick to point fingers, well the fluid that was removed from the transfer case was in fact reused since John did not provide any new fluid to replace it.

How can you possibly blame the shop for any damage to the transfer case? the car came in for a clutch install - that should tell you right there, (along with all of the passes on the drag strip the car has had) that wear is going to occur on other components. Thats the shops fault how?

John has already said he was happy with the install, and will remain a customer. That tells you something.

 

Ok, I'd be interested to see you back this statement up. What do you consider a well qualified mechanic?

Lets see, 10 second cars, qualifictions/diplomas posted up for all customers to see, insurance, business license, actual training in engine management systems (SDS/Motec/AEM etc..).

Engine building since 1984 (mainly Toyotas back then), put a FF Eclipse in the 10's back in '98.

Obviously you haven't done any business with LDL, you would have a much more positive point of view, if you made the effort to be open minded enough even to stop by.

 

Whoah.. whoah.. I sense a lot of hostility!.. I just wanted some suggestions on what shop has to offer.. like warranty... price... location.. simple stuff like that.. But i may hold off. on the install.. and do it myself. I just wanted a shop to do it.. cause it'll be a lot quicker.. and I am just too lazy right now.. Right now.. I'm kinda busy with school.. and work... and Need For Speed Underground 2.. (If you know what I mean)

 

Well good luck with it either way, those awd clutch installs are pretty time consuming. I can't see any mechanic actually enjoying the physical act of doing it.

 

Im only saying what john told me came out of your ase certified mechanics mouth that he put in the wrong fluid that it was not the 75/90 weight like it should have been. He put in what the old dsm used. He admitted that to john. Yes the clutch went in fine. He has been trying to contact him to resolve the issue and is always told they will call him back the next day and they never do. Would be nice if they backed up the work. Dont be so quick to defend talk to john and see whats going on we only know what has been told to us and are not well informed enough to make comments. I have no problems with you or LDL as im sure after this mistake it wont happen again. I gave john the shop manual on cd so he can see all the correct fluids to put back in.

 

I know it is hard to contact them over the phone, thats because they are always picking up/dropping off engines in Cali for their customers there. Friday nights are always the best time to stop by, especially now that the race season is over for this year.

And it also sounds like a straight up move telling the customer, that you put the wrong or old fluid back in. Hell, some dealerships won't even disclose that. I know this because I've seen it last year when I was employed as a service advisor at Honda West.

 

No i agree very honest of him to say that, but they have talked several times and have yet to call john back to set up a day to get it fixed thats all.

 

Listen, Rowdy. I don't mean to start anything and I'm sure Dennis is well qualified and is a great engine builder.

John's clutch install was fine that I've heard. The problem is the wrong transfer fluid. It essentially burned up the transfer case bearings because the oil was not the right viscosity and rating. It needed GL5 75W90.

Yes he dragged the car, but the transfer case went out after sustained freeway driving to California. It heated up the transfer case oil and the oil did not provide sufficient lubrication to the bearings and thus they burned up and are noisy.

Not only that, John was supposed to get tuned in LA and the tuner could not complete the tune for him.

As of last night, John came to the meet with a messed up transfer case that still was not addressed by LDL.

Maybe Dennis captured some of the oil and attempted to put it back, but we all know that it prpbably was not enough to fill it and Dennis topped it off with whatever gear oil he had around.

He messed up by not looking at the owners manual to see the specific oil rating.

This has been documented many times on the site if you do a search. Many owners burned up the transfer case by putting in the wrong oil. Some destroyed their case by drag racing also, but I bet if you open up John's case, you will find the spider gears are fine, but the bearings are shot. That would indicate no abuse from drag racing and it all points to improper oil.

Matter of fact, John did not even drag race his car after the install I'm pretty sure he said.

This is not an issure with the clutch install itself. That I take it was 100% fine.

If it was me, I would have provided the 2 types of fluid needed so ther would be no problem, but John I take it provided the tranny fluid only, and not the transfer oil which is different.

I don't know if the case can be rebuilt or he needs a whole new one, but they are costly at over $2,000. Major, major mess up IMO.

 

Well there you go, after doing research you found the conclusion. Providing the proper parts is very important (even when it comes to oil viscosity).

I just got home from visiting with the Liongsons, I learned that only the transmission fluid was provided - (which you just mentioned), and that the transfer case fluid was simply put back in, since thats all that was provided by the customer.

This was a labour only job, parts were provided by the customer and from how I take it, the labour was extremly reasonable. There are 2 other Evos here in town that have the same transfer case issue, was that LDL's fault too? (Remember there was only one EVO that got a clutch installed at LDL).

At least we are the same page now, you can see where the original mistake was made. (Its in bold).



https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/se...earchid=539332


Don't get me wrong here, I love John and all but it's just a lack of planning.

 

For your information, John and Dennis talked about what they are going to do next. I advised you all STAY OUT of it because it has nothing to do with you or your car. It's just annoying how you all have your MAYBE's and PROBABLY's. You don't know the FACTS as to what exactly happened.

I don't see the owner of the car complaining about LDL and Dennis workmanship. John is still very happy with the service he is getting from LDL.


Maricar
(Can't post my own reply yet)

 

F uck it dropped.

 

Edit:
Fine with me, I see you edited your post.


This is me talking now, (Derek).

 

John's a very light-hearted guy and I'm sure he didn't express his true feelings about the situation.

I know the facts about this and the blame falls solely on Dennis and his shop. John paid for a service and something goes wrong and YOU blame the customer with some BS about he paid for labor and not parts. Well, hold on. John would have gladly brought down the correct fluid if he was called.

You know what, this does not concern me. I'm just looking out for another fellow Evo buddy and don't want to see him screwed. All I know, his car as of tonite is still messed up.

End of ***in story.

 

I might not know John as well as you Evo drivers do, but I think he is a great guy and want to see his mechanical failure get fixed. You must be bored with nothing to do on a Saturday night, talking smack about a shop you have never even visited.

You went there to discuss Johns problem with Dennis when?
You need to do more research before even bringing this up again.

It was an unfortunate situation, that several other Evo owners here in Las Vegas are going through at this very moment.
Perhaps when your transfer case goes out, you can find someone else to blame as well. (Not that I would wish that upon anyone, but get real man, you are way out of line).

 

If this happened to my car I would never bring it back to LDL. Just because this happened I will never have them do work on my evo. Thanks to Cory then again I still owe you