I have a 2003 chevy 4x4 with duramax/allison. 80,000 miles. the only nonstock parts are a lift and 35 inch tires. I took truck to dealership for balljoints and was told transmission torque converter are burnt up. Gauge has never shown hot. Had transmission serviced less than 6 months ago. How did this happen? fluid is black and smells burnt. First they say new transmission/torque converter. $4,000.00. I have extended warranty but they say it may be voided if I try to claim it b/c of lift and tires. Now they have pan off and say #5 clutch pack is slipping and they can replace it and new torque converter for $3,000.00. Any input on what you guys think would be appreciated. any Idea on what happened and what should I do. thanks john.

I would try and talk with them. They have to prove that the lift kit and larger tires caused the transmission to go bad.

I would try and talk with them. They have to prove that the lift kit and larger tires caused the transmission to go bad.

They do not have to prove anything. It is their call and a lift kit will void the warranty. Happens every day.

OK I stand corrected, I called my local Chevrolet dealer and spoke with the service manager. He stated that they usally do not void the warranty for a lift kit, GM does however specify that the warranty is voided if you install a lift kit because of the fact that the drive shaft angles are changed.

Torque converter burned up,do to a lift.......:rolleyes: Cmon. Im finding more and more, the "ALLI" is not whats its craked up to be. I slip my clutches on 100+ hp,my buddys 04 ford W/torqshift,has never slipped and he running a hell of a lot more jiuce than i ever have.

Allisons are one of the best if not the best auto trans in a light duty truck....if they are used as they were designed to be used, meaning stock, the problems that we see at the dealer are almost always customer induced and no fault of the maker, programmers, huge tires and other mods(not 285's etc, but 37 inch,40 inch etc) this is outside of the design parameters, you can't fault the maker if its not being used as designed....I don't buy the t.c. burned up due to a mild lift either.....

Since you took it in for ball joints, why were they looking at the transmission? Is there more to the story or did they do this on their own? If you were not aware of any transmission issues before going in for the ball joints, I would get another opinion.

If the transmission does require a new converter and clutches, then check into getting an upgraded transmission, such as a Suncoast Stage III for about the same cost.

I would try and talk with them. They have to prove that the lift kit and larger tires caused the transmission to go bad.
his warranty on the trans is up.there is nothing to prove.it just a matter of wanting to spend the money with them or someone else.

Had to make my first post at your expense bud....sorry . He has an extended warranty .

Had to make my first post at your expense bud....sorry . He has an extended warranty .

Extended warranty companies are worse than the dealer. I have a lot of experience with them.

Torque converter burned up,do to a lift.......:rolleyes: Cmon. Im finding more and more, the "ALLI" is not whats its craked up to be. I slip my clutches on 100+ hp,my buddys 04 ford W/torqshift,has never slipped and he running a hell of a lot more jiuce than i ever have.

uh...so you add 100+ hp and are complaining about the transmission????? :rolleyes:

your buddy's torshift is dieing just as fast as your allison. It just doesnt seem like it because the ford and dodge transmissions dont have any protection or fail-safe built in. Your ally will limp and get you home. That torqshift will be "fine", and then BOOM, all of a sudden you are dead on the road.

Ill take the ally any day.

ben

Torque converter burned up,do to a lift.......:rolleyes: Cmon. Im finding more and more, the "ALLI" is not whats its craked up to be. I slip my clutches on 100+ hp,my buddys 04 ford W/torqshift,has never slipped and he running a hell of a lot more jiuce than i ever have.

Simple question.
Would you warranty your trans if the tables were turned? If you answer yes, then you would warranty all the Alli's that have had the snot beat out of them for all the members on this board. Then you would have to do this over and over on the same trucks.:D You would then be left with 3 choices; void the warranties, kill all the drivers ( bad idea ), or go out of business ( most probable senario ).

uh...so you add 100+ hp and are complaining about the transmission????? :rolleyes:

your buddy's torshift is dieing just as fast as your allison. It just doesnt seem like it because the ford and dodge transmissions dont have any protection or fail-safe built in. Your ally will limp and get you home. That torqshift will be "fine", and then BOOM, all of a sudden you are dead on the road.

Ill take the ally any day.

ben

Ben.

He has 50k now,and still has not had a problem,w/slipping. This truck is "INSANE" The power he is running would have melted my alli years ago. This thing will do burnouts in 4 wheel drive,"WHILE" doing donuts,and I have been w/him while it hit 5th,pulling a 4 place sled trailer With 5 sleds in it,while going up hill, @78 mph and not skip a beat. I can say...my alli would have :ThrowUp: And self destructed. All im saying is if I put the power to mine,that he has in his,my alli would have limped it self to death under 1k. he has 50k and still going.

Simple question.
Would you warranty your trans if the tables were turned? If you answer yes, then you would warranty all the Alli's that have had the snot beat out of them for all the members on this board. Then you would have to do this over and over on the same trucks.:D You would then be left with 3 choices; void the warranties, kill all the drivers ( bad idea ), or go out of business ( most probable senario ).

MIKE>

NO I would not warranty "Mine" or anybody Alli,if they were abused. But saying the T/Q is shot cuz of a lift:confused: :confused: Hell, the big dealer around here is putting lifts on them,and still giving them the powertrain warranty. But If the T/C is shot do to a lift,then The allison is weaker than I thought.

My local dealer sells the trucks with a lift kit and larger tires. They have the factory warranty on them.