Hey all,

I've owned Ford Trucks for YEARS now and have always looked through these forums for info. Round of applause for your help and knowledge. Now it's my turn to ask some questions! Hopefully someone will shed some light.



I own a 99 F250 with a 8.5" Pro Comp Suspension lift on 38" swampers. I started experiencing some play in my steering so I jumped underneath and noticed my center link was rocking pretty bad. I replaced it and it didn't solve the problem. It's cold outside, so I took it to a shop to have them look at it. Long story short, I now have a new Pittman arm and gearbox. Problem solved, sort of...

Here's where we get interesting. The shop calls today and says during the test drive, the mechanic put it in to 4 wheel drive and the transfer case mount sheared in half. Over the phone, he had the nerve to yell at me for not telling them I had issues with the 4WD. To clear things up, I BABY this truck. I have NEVER abused the 4wd system or any other part. I have never had a single problem shifting it in or out. Clearly, this was their fault. I had to literally go in to the shop and raise my voice at this guy in order to avoid paying for the repairs. It is at the shop now and they are replacing whatever part broke (the mechanic showed me a picture of what broke and it looks to me like the steel ring that holds the gearing in place inside the transfer case, but I'm honestly not too familiar with the brains of the case, so I can't be sure.) The mechanic said he will replace the part, but he refused to put it in 4wd afterwards and said he will not be responsible for anything else that deals with the 4wd system or the transmission.

Here's where the questions start rolling in. Why in the world was the truck put in to 4WD during the test drive? What could cause this part to shear? Shifting it while driving? Too fast in LO? Was it for sure human error on the driver's part? What could be damaged other than the part he is replacing? What are my next steps?

Any and all input would be appreciated! I look forward to becoming a part of this forum!


-Anthony

 

My opinion is you went in for a steering issue, not a 4X4 issue. 4X4 should not have been touched. If they broke it they should fix it. This is why he is fixing it because he knows that it shouldnt have been touched. If the damage is what you say it is then it was most likely the idiot who attempted to shift it in 4X4 did not know what he was doing and damaged it. I would prior to leaving that shop. You yourself shift it into 4X4 hi and LO and make sure they did it right. that way if something happens you havent left there grounds(property) yet. Once you leave and come back you most likely will be out of luck.

 

Sounds to me like someone from the shop you took it to was out beating on your truck when they were driving it. What kind of shop is it?

 

Test driving on their grounds and telling them to fix it isn't the problem. I will definitely do that, but what I am more concerned about is his response after I show him that I may need a new transfer case. He already stated he refused to fix this part more than once as well as any other damage that may have occured.


I completely agree with the fact that they were beating on it. Shifting from HI to LO at driving speeds, slamming the shift lever, 2WD straight to 4LO, or even 2WD to HI at driving speeds, but now what? What can I say or do that will force them to take care of this issue?

 

Oh, and the shop I took it to is a Midas. (yeaaaaaa, my mistake)

 

The sad part is, unless you can prove that they did something to cause the problem, there probably isn't anything you can do. Good luck.

 

I'd contact the BBB on them. Like everyone else is saying, there was no reason to even mess with the 4wd. They admitted that they did that, for whatever reason. Once you open a claim with the BBB, that midas will HAVE to respond to it. The BBB will not close the claim until you are satisfied.

 

How would this work? Would the BBB try to fight them on my behalf? Or is this just some sort of formality in which I open a case, they respond and the case is closed? In other words, what should I expect by doing this?

 

The BBB will contact them and let them know that a case has been filed against them. Being a well known company like Midas, they're not going to want negative BBB files against them. I don't know how far the BBB gets involved, ie, if they persue them or anything. I've used them once and had the GF use them once in unrelated issues. On both issues, the company made it right so that the BBB would not give them a negative rating.

You'd have to actually read up on the BBB FAQ's to see to what extent they will get involved. However, I think once you file and they contact midas, you won't have an issue that goes beyond that. I'd make sure you put emphasis on what the truck went in for and how there was absolutely no reason for their mechanic to put your truck into 4wd.

If Midas tells BBB that they took care of you, BBB will contact you to ensure you are ready to close the issue. You open it, you close it.

It doesn't cost anything to contact the BBB and file. You have absolutely nothing to lose unless you go to that midas alot and they start pee'ing in your tank! lol.