Transmission Problems

[Bob_Roller]

Well it's all finally sorted out !!!

I took the transmission and clutch /pressure plates to a local independent BMW shop Juda Motorsports in Mesa , AZ.

Here's what was found : the technician used the same method the Duane Ausherman suggests on his website link can be found on Boxerworks.

While rotating the input shaft, shifting up and down though the gears, well you could up shift to 5 th gear, but only downshift to 4th gear.

Great at least it can be duplicated !!

The shifter lever would not come back, it would stick.

The whole problem was the shift lever shaft seal was put in waaaaay crooked, almost 1/8 th of an inch off, and it was causing the shifter shaft to bind and hang up.

Repositioned the seal, and no shifting problem.

Also the input shaft seal was also put in crooked, and would have caused a leak not too far down the road.

That was straightened out as well.  

Now for the pressure plates, the plates are not machined well at all.

There are 3 raised machined areas on the forward plate, using a depth mic, there was .006 in. variation on one and .010 in. on the other.

Also a straight edge put across both plates showed it was machined in a cone shape the outer edges were the highest, and the inner edge was the lowest there was approximately .010 in. difference across the face of the plates.

I'm going to call the clutch shop Monday morning and see what kind of settlement I can get out of them.

So now I get to order new parts, looks like about $ 365 in parts will get me back on the road again.

Well at least I'm not in the dark on what the problem is.

I can say that I don't recommend the clutch and pressure plate rebuild, it may have been one of those Monday or Friday jobs that went wrong, all I know is I won't do it again.

So my advice is stay away from Southland Clutch in National City , CA.

I would also not recommend doing business with Motor Works in National City , CA. as well, they did the overhaul on the transmission.

Just my opinion based on the results that I had, I'm sure there are plenty of satisfied customers of theirs, but I'm not one of them !!!

[Justin B.]

Bob, that is almost great news - almost because apparently supposed "regarded" shops have such poor QC.  that crooked seal makes a lot of sense and seems that I now remember somebody had posted about shifting issues on boxerworks that also turned out to be the seal.  I think I remember in that case it was not installed deep enough, or something.

My mind is having a hard time getting itself wrappped around a "professional" shop installing two seals crooked on the same job!  I mean, geeze!  Do they have the "apprentice" or floor sweeper do the "mundane" parts of the rebuild?  And as far as your clutch components being not machined true I can't think of much of an excuse for that either.  Let us know how both of these joints respond.

On the clutch parts, if your original intention had been to buy all new anyway then at least a full refund from them would seem reasonable, and better if it covered your travel expenses.  I personally would probably put it back together and if the clutch engagement was smooth and controlled I would ride it.  Eventually the clutch disc will "wear" into the two discs and might be happy for a long time.  If the clutch goes south then you would have your refund to put toward the parts you had been planning on buying in the first place.

[Bob_Roller]

Justin  

I talked to the mechanic who did the overhaul on the transmission, and he said he's been doing them for about 15 years, so much for experience !!

On the clutch parts, I'm going to call the shop Monday morning and see what kind of a response I get, I plan on saying I'll ship the parts back to them for their inspection, with the understanding that they can remove the friction linings and cut the plates with a band saw, as far as I'm concerned, as long as I get them back.

If they play 'hardball', I plan on contesting the charges with the credit card company that I used to pay for the rebuild.

It worked with Bike Bandit about 5 months ago !!

I also plan on contacting the shop that did the transmission overhaul ,and try to get some kind of a refund out of them as well, and again if they refuse. I'll just contest the charges with the credit card company, if possible, and make their existence as  miserable as possible.

Worse case scenario I had planned on installing the clutch and pressure plates, as the R65 doesn't get taken too far from home, and I do this with understanding that it might only last 5-10,000 miles.

So this was a learning experience to say the least bit!!

Think I'll have another beer !!!!

[Justin B.]

Good luck, keep us posted...

[Ed Miller]

Ouch.  Glad you found out what's going on, as that's usually the hard part, but sorry it is so much hassle, that's what I hate.

[Bob_Roller]

It's a bit frustrating, but I learned a lesson get the work done locally if possible !!

I inquired about what the cost of rebuilding a transmission at their shop would be, and the cost was comparable to what I paid the shop in San Diego.

It's also amazing that when someone knows what to look for, it was a quick diagnosis and repair.

I may have taken the transmission back to the shop that did the overhaul, and they may have missed the seal problem completely, and then I would have been at a loss as to what to do then!

I think this emoticon would have summed it ! [smiley=rifle.gif]

[Bob_Roller]

Just got off of the phone with both shops, and the transmission shop ( Motor Works ) agreed to refund the $43.50 shop labor charge that the local independent shop charged to check and repair the transmission, and they are sending me a new seal for the shifter shaft.

The clutch shop owner ( Southland Clutch ), told me to return the plates and clutch disc, and if he agrees with me, he'll refund the $200 that I was charged for the overhaul , or find a replacement for the parts

So it looks like things will work out after all but what a frustrating series of events !    


[smiley=drowning.gif]      [smiley=wall.gif]     [smiley=steinigung.gif] [smiley=argue.gif] [smiley=chairshot.gif] [smiley=furious3.gif] [smiley=shoot.gif] [smiley=smash.gif] [smiley=whip.gif] [smiley=rifle.gif] [smiley=flamethrowingsmiley.gif]

Do I at least get a prize for using the most emoticons in a single posting ?

[Semper Gumby]

Hi Bob,

Yeah but I think msbuck gets the prize for the Largest emoticon.   8-)

[nhmaf]

Gee Bob, you look like you're quite the tidal wave of mixed emotions, there...

Time for my 'nightcap'

 [smiley=1drink.gif]

[Bob_Roller]

I get really frustrated when 'supposed' overhauled or refurbished parts are bad, and complicates the troubleshooting process to solving a problem.

It happens also at work ,on Boeing 737's as well, you get the problem narrowed down to a component, replace it , and doesn't fix the problem.

You spend unnecessary time continuing the trouble shooting process, and it gets you nowhere.

Even more frustrating when you are working out of town, and it might take a day or two to get the parts to you, and that's not even factoring in the less than ideal weather or working conditions.

So it's a real 'sore spot' with me after 30 years in aviation !!!!!

[Bob_Roller]

Just a quick update on my dealing with both companies, Motor Works has yet to send me a check for the labor charge let alone a new oil seal for the shifter shaft, and they don't return any calls, I am in the process of disputing the entire $630 charge, my justification is that I have about 20 hours of my time 'invested' in this problem in the form of labor, the labor rate at the local independent shop is $87, and removal and installation flat rate labor rate is 10 hours plus incidentals.

Southland Clutch has not returned any calls, has not issued a refund, or returned my parts, so I have disputed the $200 charge, and I am looking at filing a theft complaint with the National City, CA. police, for non-return of my parts, just to be an irritant to the owner.

To be continued..............................

[Justin B.]

Damn...

[tagordon]

Bob
So Sorry to hear of your situation.
BBB is an option. Also Dept of Consumer Affairs (check for all applicable offices; as are city, county & state gov offices)
Also a call to local (where the businesses are located) Court Clerk for info on a Mechanics Lien. To put a lien on their property. This works sometimes, depending on the statutes there. As to what is required to show you are owed by the respondent.
Troy

[Bob_Roller]

I just went through this process about 6 months ago regarding the merchant Bike Bandit about receiving the wrong brake rotors, and the merchant refusing to do anything about it, because it was outside of their 15 day return policy.

I filed a dispute with the credit card company Citibank on November 6, they contact the merchants financial institution, they file the complaint with the local Better Business Bureau, the BBB then contacts the merchant about the dispute, usually takes about 2 months to hear from the merchant directly.

I'm not too concerned, I already have a conditional refund for the charges already applied to my credit card account.

My motive right now is to make life a little more miserable for everybody involved, it's my twisted way to get some satisfaction at other people's expense.

Did I mention that I'm a sick S.O.B.?

[Ed Miller]

Maybe Bob, but it not for people like you who actually take the time to straighten issues out like you're doing, things would be a lot worse for the rest of us.