Had the transmission changed out at the local goodwrench this week. I don't normally have things done for me as I am a licensed heavy duty mechanic, but time restraints made me take it in this week.
The service advisor phoned up the wife after the new transmission was in, as apparently the "tech" test drove the truck and claimed there was a terrible howling noise. They figured the rear differential was faulty, but would need to do some checks to determine this. I came home from work and got the story, they had the wife convinced that the truck was going to break down unless further repairs were completed. SHAME ON THEM. There was nothing else wrong with this truck, and certainly no unusual noises when I delivered it to them for the transmission replacement. Luckily the shop was closed at this time as the trigger point of my explosive Italian temper was exceeded. The service advisor was "advised" the next day not to even pull the level plug on the axle and only complete the work he was authorized to do. If there was anything "howling" it would be the new transmission or the installation they just performed.
The final touch came from the cleanup guy. I paid 6 hours labour for a complete cleanup inside and out. It wasn't very clean in places, so the wife took it back for a bit more. He complained he even had to clean "something sticky" all over the rear hatch window. That was the oil that blew out the breather of the failed transmission just before it left us on the side of the road..
Anyway, about $3370 (taxes in) CDN dollars later for a transmission, a couple of leaks at the block heater and top coolant connector, and a so-so cleanup job got the truck back. I probably pissed off the service advisor as I purchased the transmission at the parts counter before going to the service department, and saved myself $550, but cost him the commission on it. Maybe a rear diff. job would have made up for it? I know I would not trust this dealer to do anything further. Why are so many auto shops like this? Do I have to plunk down my mechanic's licence when I take anything in and tell them not to B.S. me? I really feel for the average motoring public that has to take thier vehicles in to these guys, probably why you see so many new vehicles on the road, simply can't afford to keep the older ones going.
I should just about be done with the first round of repairs on this
97 Tahoe, I've had the bad steering sensors, the bad brakes, the failed fuel pump, the failed transmission, I think the only thing left now is the intake manifold. Have 75000 miles on it, wonder when that is going to happen?