DIff shot, dealer will not warranty... Help!
07-09-2014, 12:26 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5
DIff shot, dealer will not warranty... Help!
Hi everyone,
I have a 2013 GT track pack and about 10 days ago, I bought and installed steeda sport springs, Koni Yellow dampers and a Fays2 watts link. When I was under the car, I noticed a leak from the front of the diff, thinking it was the pinion seal, I assumed it would be a simple fix and proceeded with the job at hand. I garaged the car to not damage the diff right after the install.
Last thursday, I took it in to the dealership to have it fixed, this morning the service advisor calls and tells me there is bearing noise from the diff and that because the "aftermarket parts" lowered the ride height (1.2" really??) the pinion angle change caused abnormal wear in the bearing, and so he wont fix it under warranty and I'm looking at a $2000 bill!
I know the claim is totally bogus and it should be fixed under warranty, no questions asked. even if the condition was not pre existing, 1.2" drop can be caused by loading 2 people in the back of the car. What do I do?? my car is completely stock except for the listed mods and a borla axle back.
I have a 2013 GT track pack and about 10 days ago, I bought and installed steeda sport springs, Koni Yellow dampers and a Fays2 watts link. When I was under the car, I noticed a leak from the front of the diff, thinking it was the pinion seal, I assumed it would be a simple fix and proceeded with the job at hand. I garaged the car to not damage the diff right after the install.
Last thursday, I took it in to the dealership to have it fixed, this morning the service advisor calls and tells me there is bearing noise from the diff and that because the "aftermarket parts" lowered the ride height (1.2" really??) the pinion angle change caused abnormal wear in the bearing, and so he wont fix it under warranty and I'm looking at a $2000 bill!
I know the claim is totally bogus and it should be fixed under warranty, no questions asked. even if the condition was not pre existing, 1.2" drop can be caused by loading 2 people in the back of the car. What do I do?? my car is completely stock except for the listed mods and a borla axle back.
07-09-2014, 01:24 PM
#2
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 142
Take it to another dealer.
Another thought is to set it back to stock (providing you have the parts from 10 days ago). You'll spend 1/2 a day under the car (twice) but may save you $2000. Hell, even having the labor done for you should only run around $300-$500 - still a net savings.
Going through the fight of making them prove the burden of mods caused the issue will likely not be worth it. I think you have an uphill battle regardles. As one who has a similar suspension setup in the mail, I hope you get it.
Another thought is to set it back to stock (providing you have the parts from 10 days ago). You'll spend 1/2 a day under the car (twice) but may save you $2000. Hell, even having the labor done for you should only run around $300-$500 - still a net savings.
Going through the fight of making them prove the burden of mods caused the issue will likely not be worth it. I think you have an uphill battle regardles. As one who has a similar suspension setup in the mail, I hope you get it.
07-09-2014, 01:59 PM
#4
Gentleman's Relish
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 13,090
They have a valid point, lowering the car will change the pinion angle. A change in pinion angle could create a leak from changing the stress on the pinion seal.
Problem is, you saw the leak and ignored it thus giving the dealer a plausible cause of the failure... Put it back to stock and take it to another dealer. I hope the dealer you took it to didn't put it into their Oasis system. If they did, their comments will be conveyed to the new dealership who may also deny the warranty work.
It doesn't matter that the angle can be that far off when you load people in the car, that would be with OEM parts. You changed the ride height permanently with non OEM type parts... Right or wrong, it is what it is. Good luck!
Problem is, you saw the leak and ignored it thus giving the dealer a plausible cause of the failure... Put it back to stock and take it to another dealer. I hope the dealer you took it to didn't put it into their Oasis system. If they did, their comments will be conveyed to the new dealership who may also deny the warranty work.
It doesn't matter that the angle can be that far off when you load people in the car, that would be with OEM parts. You changed the ride height permanently with non OEM type parts... Right or wrong, it is what it is. Good luck!
07-09-2014, 04:42 PM
#6
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 558
They have a valid point, lowering the car will change the pinion angle. A change in pinion angle could create a leak from changing the stress on the pinion seal.
Problem is, you saw the leak and ignored it thus giving the dealer a plausible cause of the failure... Put it back to stock and take it to another dealer. I hope the dealer you took it to didn't put it into their Oasis system. If they did, their comments will be conveyed to the new dealership who may also deny the warranty work.
It doesn't matter that the angle can be that far off when you load people in the car, that would be with OEM parts. You changed the ride height permanently with non OEM type parts... Right or wrong, it is what it is. Good luck!
Problem is, you saw the leak and ignored it thus giving the dealer a plausible cause of the failure... Put it back to stock and take it to another dealer. I hope the dealer you took it to didn't put it into their Oasis system. If they did, their comments will be conveyed to the new dealership who may also deny the warranty work.
It doesn't matter that the angle can be that far off when you load people in the car, that would be with OEM parts. You changed the ride height permanently with non OEM type parts... Right or wrong, it is what it is. Good luck!
07-09-2014, 04:56 PM
#7
Gentleman's Relish
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 13,090
No prior history to show otherwise, other than this post which was made after the dealer denied your claim.... see where I'm going with this?
07-09-2014, 07:09 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5
Yeah, I realize that I screwed up, Like I said, I didn't think it was going to be a 2000$ rear end rebuild, even if the pinion seal is not covered under warranty it would have been a 100 to 150$ job. FML i guess... Yeah I do have the receipts for the parts I bought less than a month ago, if that would help prove I haven't driven thousands of miles with it.
Isn't the boss 302 lower that the stock GT by about 1"?
Isn't the boss 302 lower that the stock GT by about 1"?
07-11-2014, 11:19 AM
#9
4th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,437
Isn't it a known issue with these cars that the diffs leak? I checked mine when I read about it and sure as **** there was oil on my diff. Sounds like you have a bogus service manager who needs to check the service bulletins.
07-12-2014, 10:13 AM
#10
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: California
Posts: 390
Regardless if we know the pinion seals sucks, should've had it replaced prior to modding the suspension, especially if it was noticed before hand.
