Is this mechanic screwing me? Transfer case related.

Wow... this is gonna be a tough one to answer, Katie...... I'll do my best.

First, though, and allow me this.... I'm going to spank you for driving the car until it wouldn't move anymore. That vibration was a warning - plain and simple - that something was amiss. Sadly, customers lose credibility when they insist on driving things to destruction.....

But, back to the chase. I'm not sure about the "sorry this happened shpiel.."...... is there something that occurred before this that spurred the comment? I'm always saddened that customers have large repair bills..... I rarely have the opportunity to give anyone good news..... "Sorry, man... this is going to cost 3 large" (well, I do word it a little nicer) but it is the car that decides how much the repair will cost, I am simply the messenger. I may be wrong, but there is a nagging feeling that there is more to it than I am seeing.

The tech performing the repair should be have his knuckles rapped for not looking over his repair before releasing the car.... just as any other person on this list may make an oversight, so can techs (there's no excusing it, but we accept our own shortcomings as part of the human condition). Since he missed the bolts on the U-joint, it was then up to you to call attention to the vibration .... two omissions - no winners.

The speed sensor..... sounds like you live where they use salt... could be another oversight by the tech..... could be coincidence - I will not comment without seeing the cause of the problem. I can say that a tech has diagnosed speed sensor (I trust he performed ALL the pinpoint tests instead of commenting on a code retrieved). Personally, I shun other mechanics diagnosis..... if I come to the same conclusion they did, all is well.... if I perform the repair that they recommend and the problem persists, it is me that looks like a jerk.

If you are uncomfortable dealing with this shop, I can only suggest that you abandon all thoughts of warranty and find a tech that you are comfortable in dealing with. Friends, family and acquaintances are usually good sources of leads.... similarly, if you belong to an auto club, they can offer recommendations. The modern automobile is an extremely complex device.... the most complex device that the vast majority of people will ever encounter. It can be difficult to find someone knowledgeable and possessing adequate test equipment...... if you can find a dealership that specializes in customer satisfaction (there are two types... grab the money and run..... and those that breed repeat customers), you might find haven there.

Hope this helps...

Jim Warman snipped-for-privacy@telusplanet.net

Througout this tale, let's keep in mind that the work is warrantied until May of 2004, which is the ONLY reason I am taking it back to these clucks.

Nicely expressed love of humanity...perhaps the problem is karmic.

Througout this tale, let's keep in mind that the work is warrantied until May of 2004, which is the ONLY reason I am taking it back to these clucks.

grinding and jolting. I stopped, and couldn't move after that. When the car was in park, there were no sounds, the instant I put it in gear, there was awful grinding. So I thought it was the transmission, but I wasn't about to rule out the transfer case. So I switched it into 4WD and lo and behold, I was moving again. Took it back to the shop.

maam, sorry this happened" shpiel. All was well, but as I continued to drive my car, there was a shaking that continuously got worse. I frequently drive on the freeway and at high speeds the shaking was unbearable. I thought there was some serious suspension problems or that my NEW tires were severely unbalanced. Well, I was wrong, because on September 30th, I was on my way to a birthday dinner, I stopped at a stop sign, and my drive shaft fell off, the U-joint came right off the spline. The idiots didn't tighten the bolts. THANK GOD it happened at a stop sign. Took it in, got my ass kissed (not nearly enough), and went on with my life.

Area in Colorado for a little snowboarding and I make great use of my 4WD. Well a few miles down the road after I switch out, my speedometer is jumping, the odometer stops counting, and my car is having trouble shifting. I take it in to another mechanic for a diagnosis, the only code I get back is for the automatic speed sensor that is located, where you ask? In the transfer case.

from my transfer case. Can somebody PLEASE tell if there is any possible way that you can install a brand new transfer case and still have it malfunctioning constantly? The new transfer case ran me about $1470 before labor. If you could tell me how I am getting screwed, I'd really appreciate it.