Hello first post here, I have a 1999 Lincoln Navigator 5.4L DOHC V8 AWD bought it with 66K on it and it now has 174K and has been babied the whole time. Last week I got a service engie soon light with the code PO755 plus it wasn't shifting right, took it to a transmission repair shop was told I needed a rebuild and after they had the trans out a torque converter. No problem I have them do the work, 5 days later pickup the Navigator and the first thing I notice is a low freq vibiration at idle while in park and when in gear there is a grinding type vibiration as the trans shifts thru the gears. So I took it back to the shop, the service manager went out on a test drive, the vibirations are there still he stops along side the road and while in gear and standing on the brake gives it some gas and the grinding noise is very noticeable he drive another block down the road turns around and returns to the shop where he states the noise at idle is the engine missing a cylinder and the other noise could be the drive shift out of clock. Now I know enough to do basic repairs on the navigator ie brakes, tune up, minor things that don't require a shop full of tools but please there is enough electronics in the truck that if it was missing I would of had a check engine light show up. And the other noise sounds like the trans might just self destuct. My question to the forum members here is once I get my truck back and it's still making the vibirations 1) should I have a dealership or another shop look at it? 2) Could they have damaged something putting the trans back in which is causing the vibiration? Now my take on what is going on, "I'm pretty good of guessing what wrong with things" knowing what I know my guess is the torque converter is a) out of balance b) damaged on installation c) rebuild was not done correctly (parts not replaced, damaged, or missing).

History of the navigator, 174K mileage was running smooth only problem was the PO755 code and hard shifting (trans was skipping 2nd gear) engine had been tuned up 12 months ago with new plugs and boots

Do I have a concern about the rebuild job being done wrong? Did they FUBAR my transmission?

 

It's a bad torque converter, and if the service manager can't tell that he is either incompetent or dishonest.

 

Now they charged me for a new torque converter, is it possible that the new one is a POS or they damaged it during the rebuild? I picked the Navigator up after they had it another day because of the vibrations stilll saying it's an engine miss but can't get a code to come up saying so. Still getting the heavy vibration at idle and the other vibration starts when the rpms at 1700 and ends about 2500 as it shifts thru second gear. I have a one year 12k warrenty on it, so time to get a lawyer and take it to the dealer. I hate when people do this, who can you trust anymore I even gave them the chance to come clean and fix it, just because you can't see the work they did they charged $1400 for the rebuild plus another $360 for a new torque converter.

 

I have a feeling that the converter was not or is not fully seated in the front pump and it may have been forced together during the transmission installation. That might explain the grinding (front pump), and the vibration could be due to damage to the t/c at that time.
It will not heal itself and will ruin the entire transmission in a short time if it is not addressed by a competent transmission mechanic.
It seems that you may have found a crooked shop and it will be difficult to find an independent shop that will condemn them and follow through with court procedings. Your best bet might be to dispute the charge if you used a major credit card.
Good luck with it.

 

A friend of mine confirms the FUBAR on install part, but getting someone to put it writing and for the shop that did the work to own up to it are another matter. The warrenty would be void if a shop other then the one that did the work touchs the transmission, even I can tell it's something to do with the torque converter and I'm not a mechanic. When I had it done it was to be finished on one day but when I called they siad they were delayed because the torque converter was late being delivered, I wonder if it was more like they were having issues intalling it and said the hell with it the owner will never notice.

 

That's not entirely true. Send the shop a certified return receipt letter outlining the problem and that in light of their verbal refusal to make good on the work they did, that you will have another shop make the repair and then seek compensation from them through a small claims lawsuit. Also put in the letter that you will give them 48 hours to contact you for an appointment for them to make the repairs.

This way you have a record that you've notified them of the problem, offered them a chance to address it, and finally stated your intentions if they ignore you. After that, no judge in the world is going to side with them in court.

 

Alloro's got the right plan for you. I really think my first thought (post #4) is what happened. I would check their ads or web page to see if they are a member of any business associations or the ATRA, "Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association", and file a complaint there as well as with the local BBB.