TJ Tranny/Clutch Slave Leak - Dealer Warranty War

[TJ Edge]

I've got a leak that *appears* to be coming from my AX15 Clutch Slave Cylinder - right at the plastic "gasket". The fluid is red - ATF, I assume. That's what's in the tranny case, right? But the clutch master and slave system has brake fluid in it. How can I be getting an ATF tranny leak at the slave cylinder? :confused:

I get rough shifting and a grind if I shift to quickly - like the syncros aren't aligning - probably from the clutch not completely engaging.

I'm taking it in to the dealer under warranty, but the Service Manager is already giving me grief about my 4" TeraFlex suspension lift & Belly-Up. "We don't normally work on lifted vehicles." Same old broken record. He agreed to take it in under my DC MasterCare extended warranty to "diagnose" and repair the clutch; but he was really balking at working on anything interior to the tranny. He claimed that my driveline is out of stock alignment and that they won't work on it.

Anyone got any ammunition I can use when/if I need to get them to rebuild a tranny on a lifted vehicle with the *best* DC warranty they sell? I got the warranty before the lift, unfortunately. But the shifting problem was there before the lift, and the shop that did the lift found the leak. Besides, they didn't work on the clutch or the tranny when they did the lift.

The dealer I bought the Jeep and the warranty from knew that I was going to lift it; and they said they would honor the warranty anyway. Of course, all I have is a name and a face. Nothing in writing about that. ;)

TIA

[lonegpr]

I believe that the law regarding warranty work (Moss Magnuson or something along those lines) requires the burden to be on the dealer or manufacturer to PROVE that any modification made to the vehicle IS or Was the cause for the problem.

Simply put, your dealer is required to prove that your lift caused the shifting problem. Not likely.

Keep in mind that the shifting of the AX15 from 1st to 2nd has been thoroughly documented throughout the past few years as being problematic, as well as early models of the NV3550 tranny.

I just had the 1st and 2nd gear synchros and assorted and related items replaced by my dealer less than a month ago because of the shifting problem on my AX15. And I've got a Teraflex 2" coil suspension lift which gave me almost 3" of lift. Add in the larger than stock tires and the heavy dose of mud coating the bottom of my TJ and you might think I'd be given some flak. Never has. My dealer knows that Jeeps are to be used.

Your dealer is being ANAL.

[Tiffster]

Here is a link so you can read what teh Magnusson-Moss Act is about and what protections it affords you. Hope this helps you....

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/warranty/undermag.htm

[Lil'Green]

I'm not sure about the reddish fluid but check your t-case. Maybe some of it got pushed out through the vent line or the vent is loose, etc.

The clutch slave cylinder is easy to replace so I'd just buy a new one and put it in. The biggest PITA was to connect the master to the pedal (I could not get my hands in there properly). You probably got mud and grit in the slave and it blew the seal. My dealer took it out and once they found mud in the bellhousing and grass wrapped around the slave's push rod, they denied warranty also. I just took the Jeep back and put a new assembly in (around $380 CDN I believe).

So, while it was not your lift that caused it, I think they'd still have a reason to not warranty this.

Hope this helps.

[TJ Edge]

Well, it's not the Slave Cylinder. It's much worse. :(

I've got a leak from the top area of my AX-15 tranny and rough shifting. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed the rough shifting, but no leaking. I needed to have my new suspension lift done at the time, so I had it done - 4" suspension, Belly-up, TeraLow TC, 1" Body Lift, 1" Motor Mount Lift. When I got the Jeep back, it still shifted rough - actually a bit rougher - and there was now a leak present.

I had already purchased a DC Maximum Care extended warranty a few months ago. I told the Service Manager at the dealer where I bought the Jeep that I was going to lift my Jeep eventually; and he *said* they would still honor the warranty if the Jeep had not been obviously abused. So I bought the warranty.

I have not 'wheeled the vehicle on anything more than heavilty-rutted dirt roads/hills; and there is no visible damage to anything under the Jeep. It's even clean down there 'cause I just washed it!

I took the Jeep to another dealer that is closer to my work to check out the tranny leak. They refused to work on it because they say my modifications caused the leak/problem, even though all they did was look at the external vehicle and did not remove any parts to actually diagnose the cause or exact location of the leak. They can't possibly have come to the conclusion with any evidence that my mods caused the problem. They're just refusing to work on the lifted vehicle regardless.

I did not have any work done on the tranny or clutch during the lift job. Could the mods I did still have caused this problem? Since I noticed the rough shifting *before* the mods, I'm leaning toward, "NO." But the leak didn't show up until after, and it's getting worse.

I am now taking it back to the dealer I bought the Jeep and the warranty from to see if they will honor their contract and their word. If they won't, what can I do?

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects me; but how can I make them *prove* my mods caused the problem? And if they can't prove it, don't they have to honor the warranty regardless?

Anyone have any backup on this? Also, what would constitute "proof?"

Thanks for any help on this!

[Lil'Green]

If it's not the slave, the rough sihifting may be caused by worn synchros, lack of oil or some bigger probelm. I'd check the fluid level first, since you have a leak. The reddish fluid is throwing me off. Are you using some synthetic that's red in color, perhaps? You're also saying the leak is at the top. Is it coming from the tranny vent or through the shift tower?

In any case, I'd try to identify the problem first before worrying about warranty.

The belly-up may tilt the drivetrain a bit and put more leverage on the mounts (both engine and tranny) but the drivetrain should hold up well if it's bolted together well in the first place. The suspension lift itslef should not have anything to do with it and even of your driveshaft angles were sever enough to put strain on the t-case, it woul dbe the t-case oil-seals and outpur bearings that would go, not your tranny.

Keep in mind, it's hard to diagnose something like this without seeing the Jeep (unless the person diagnosing knows from past experience what the problem is), so do your own thorough analysis.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[TJ Edge]

The problem is definitely an internal transmission seal leak. It is at the dealer getting fixed right now. I'm just waiting for confirmation that the warranty will cover it. The Service Manager said he didn't think there would be a problem. But, I won't feel warm and fuzzy until I get the bill for ZERO $. ;)

That's what threw me off: the leak appeared to be at the Clutch Slave; but it was red. :confused: In reality, the leak was coming around the bell housing and dripping down and collecting at the Slave.

I agree: my drivetrain angle mods should not have affected an internal tranny seal. We had replaced the tranny fluid when the lift was re-torqued, but the shifting problem continued. I am hoping that the syncros are not trashed. The Service Manager did say that the mechanics felt the rough shifting was due to the change in driveline angles. So, I may have to fight to get warranty coverage on rebuilding a trashed tranny.

The saga continues...

[TJ Edge]

Yessss! The dealer honored the warranty! HooHoo! :D

It turned out to be an internal tranny seal; not the Clutch Slave at all.

Just goes to show ya': when you find a good dealer or mechanic, do anything to keep them! The other dealer (Bob Baker Jeep in Carlsbad) wouldn't even touch it with a lift on it. Oh, sure. They *looked* at the problem, figured it meant tranny work, and then told me to take a hike! :finger:

But North County Jeep - where I purchased my Jeep and the extended warranty - didn't even blink. The Service Manager even said all the mechanics were standing around admiring my Jeep! :D :cool: :beer: :jester:

Not only that, when I asked Bob Baker to install a Metcalf RockEater Oil pan while they were down there, they said, "We don't install aftermarket items." North County Jeep said, "Sure. Hey, that's a pretty cool skid plate idea!"

My faith is restored in dealer integrity. Like everything in life, there are saints :angel: and there are @ssholes :silly:. Just pay attention, and hope you get one and not the other.

[RICK]

Bow, after they have this stuff show your appreciation and respect for them.
Make sure you return that little service card, mention names of
employees, write up people, the service manager, and most
importantly, the technicians that did the work!!
If you can, e mail the owner, general manager and the
service manager with a big "thank you" for the above named
people also.
The next visit will be even better:)

[Colo.TJ]

I'm glad to here everything went well. Karma maybe?

[TJ Edge]

I'm glad to here everything went well. Karma maybe?

I'd like to think so. Either that or "Jeepma." :D