Originally Posted by Fordfan69

Hi guys,

Just wanted to give you an update. Over a week has gone by and I'm still haven't heard anything from Tremec. I think I will wait until the end of the week and then call them.

Also, I took 3rd gear over to a tool and die manufacturing co. and had them Rockwell test the gear for hardness themselves. It was 60-60.5 on the R. scale which he said was very very hard. He was surprised being that a metal file is just about a 65. It is a Chromemoly gearset though, so it might be right. I would love to know if there is a test to see if it is too brittle though. Anybody out there know? I might look into bringing it to a Metalurgist to see if he can tell me anything about the failure.

finally, when I rebuild this unit, I am definitely going to put gear mesh paint on all of the gears and test the mesh pattern, just like they do on the rear ends. There might be nothing wrong with the gear and it might have been from improper mesh/backlash. That will tell alot. I looked closely at second gear and I don't like the mesh pattern at all. That's what gave me the idea of checking them all.

Thanks very much for the comments and feedback. I'll keep you posted as soon as I hear back from Tremec.

Originally Posted by 392cobra

What Buzz said,times 2.

When you lie to get what you want,you deserve nothing.Maybe even less.

Originally Posted by Eljaro

I would try to get this issue settled in MINUTES and get the problem off this Forum ASAP.
Dont repair the broken TKO but send this guy a new transmission and fight the cost out with TREMEC. They will listen to you!
Keep the damage to you company to a minimum!

Originally Posted by Fordfan69

I would like to re-clarify things a bit:

1. The reason why I joined this forum was that I knew that many people with the Cobra cars a running the Tremec transmission and I wanted to let them know of the trouble I was having. Some might find it useful to know of problems with certain parts before the purchase them. I know I would want to know if I was planning on buying something and others were having problems/ breakage with them. It's my hard earned money that I am going to spend.

2. I fully agree that I did write that letter stating that I was going down the road. I wrote that letter because AFTER I received the transmission, I then read the warranty information that Keisler would not cover the trans if it was raced. I stated this before: they did not once say that when I mentioned upon ordering this tranny, that part of my intention was to take it to the track OCCASSIONALLY. I did race the car at the track and 3rd gear did break at the track. I had a strong feeling that had I been honest with them about that, They definitely would not warranty it. I also stated before that had they stopped me when I mentioned occassionally racing it, I would have rethought purchasing it and purchased a transmission more appropriate for me and my outings.

3. Every single knowledgealbe and even not-so knowledgeable people that I have shown the gears to absolutely said it must have been some sort of a part failure or improper installation (gear meshing not right). I am the first one to admit that I am in no way perfect, but I and others looked very hard and I also thought back to the moment very hard and there is not a doubt in my mind that I did not miss that shift. I've attached another picture showing more clearly 3rd gear's dog teeth and synchro blocker. They are in excellent shape. The shape of ones that came out of a box with only slightly more than 1000 miles on them. If I wasn't in the gear all the way or missed the shift, the dog teeth would be damaged and/or rounded. Not the case. If any damage would occur from improper usage, as they say, wouldn't it be to the dog teeth. How is it possible that they are mint. That tells me and others that the synchro hub was fully engaged to the 3rd gear. I am not saying that Keisler assembled the tranny incorrectly, but there is something wrong for the main teeth to fail in that way on that angle opposite that of the cluster gear. http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...9/100_0874.jpg

4. Another reason why I felt this failure was not a failure of my own doing is due to the fact that I found another user of the Tremec 5speed that also had a failure. When I looked at his picture, It looked almost identical to mine. The teeth sheared off on the same angles and all. Another reason why I thought it might be a part failure. You can see his picture and read his post if you want at http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23218

5. The offer that Keisler made to me was a little appauling. I spend nearly $3900. with them on the kit and clutch, and they want me to spend another $430. on the parts. They said they would reassemble it for free. When I called to find out the progress, I was told it was "dissassembled in 800 pieces on the bench" They sent it back to me fully assembled. They had to reassemble it anyway whether I chose to fix or not. So what were they really offering. Nothing. I just chose to not give them any more money and give it to someone else.

6. My post was highly accurate. The car was brought to the track once, didn't even make down the whole way , driven down the return road and into the pits onto a rented trailer. pushed off trailer and not driven again. period. (That's why the rest of the transmission looks as clean as it does.) If I would have driven it after like someone stated I probably did, do you think the transmission would look the way it does inside? No. it wouldn't.

Again, The only reason I made my experience public on these forums (only 3) is to alert other car people to what happened so they can make better informed decisions. That's all. I would hope others do the same.

Thanks,
Greg.

Originally Posted by lineslinger

An unbiased opinion from a factory rep?

How often is he/she going to rule against the company that pays their salary?

Stories have shifted since this thread was originaly posted and I must say so has my opinion about the gentleman who posted it. What we were told and what actually ocourred seem to vary quite a bit.
If Keisler would have snapped up that gear box and said "well' take care of it" I have to believe that would have had a much more positive impact on future biz, and industry perception than the cluster%$#@ and finger pointing taking place now.
For someone still considering which gearbox to buy and where to buy it from I gotta tell you I would be seeking a company with more a positive stance/attitude than what is being presented here by Keisler even though I believe they are being reasonable in their approach.
The BIG business "picture" says "We will fix the damn thing and tell your pals". The cost of said repair is a spit in the ocean compared to the potential new business to be generated.
The customer was BS-ing you??? So what, chances are anyone that know and hangs with the guy are going to know about him too and they (Keisler) still fixed his gearbox? "Hmmmm, maybe I oughta give them a look" Positive customer relations is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to be perceived as the "go to guys".
A lot cheaper than say a 30 second radio spot, a magazine ad, a billboard, a web popup, etc. etc.
And look where the adverserial stance has them now.

Win the battle and lose the war.

Originally Posted by jdog

This could have been a great PR opportunuty for the seller/manufacturer. What do you think 'their' cost was for this one trans?

By the sellers own figures, they have 4000 on the road. What could their loss be on one?

They could have made a poster child out of this guy.

Have you ever been to a casino? You'ed think they wouldn't like big Jackpot winners, right? Wrong! They love them! They make poster's & signs with their "happy' faces. They make it back 10 times over with new vict....er customers!

Even if this guy was scamming them, they could have made it a boone for their immage. You can't buy the those 'happy faces' you earn them! And they will pay you back 10 times over.

I believe even if the seller & manufacturer are right as rain, they lost! And they could have hit the Jackpot.:rolleyes:

jdog
P.S. I have a tremec 600 in my car, and written right on my reciept from the seller/installer is says:"If you race it, you own it". I understand what that means!%/

Originally Posted by trularin

I think lineslinger makes a good point.

"Would any of you blokes buy a transmission from these buggers after this thread?"

First they charged twice what anyone, even Tremec would change for the TKO600.

Second they have the most ridicules warranty I have ever heard of for a performance transmission.

Third, there is obviously some difference of opinion between the guy who purchased it and the people selling it. And, it's not like they didn't make their money off the deal.

When asked, Tremec stated:

1. It is a performance transmission.
2. there is a 90 day unlimited warranty.
3. we know it will be raced.

I don't get that warm fuzzy feeling about these guys or the person who posted this "entertaining thread brought to you by Club Cobra!".

I read back pedaling in the words written by both.

AND, if this had grenaded as the shop had said, why aren't the lead in teeth where the syncro aligns the shift collar sheared off?

Got to love CC, only the best in live entertainment. :D :D :D

Originally Posted by Fordfan69

And I call deception taking a sale of over $3800. knowing the user is going to use the product you are selling in a way that will void the warranty ( and not even mentioning it) . What do you call it?

Originally Posted by Fordfan69

Richard,

1: My whole problem with the outcome has been twofold:
As I mentioned, the salesrep that placed my order was informed It would be racing it ocassionally - Nothing was said to me about voiding warranty.

2: The explanation for the "abuse" that was given to me by you and the Plant Manager shifted from "you missed the shift or the gear was halfway in", then changed to " the clutch you are using is way too aggressive and shocked the tranny". When I reminded you guys that your company was the one that recommended the clutch from the beginning and sold it to me, it then went back to "the gear being halfway in".

That's why I feel keisler was "grasping" at a reason to pin it on me and not search into/have Tremec search into whether there are a bad batch of gears(maybe mine is the only one) out there(if that indeed is the case)

I told you before, I am not asking for anything I don't truly and honestly feel is unjust. I was never really given a good technical explanation when I asked many times.

Also, You guys mill the tailshaft as well as a small portion of the top shift plate. You must dissassemble the tailshaft and toplate to do that. You then have to reassemble it. That is why Tremec is saying they can't cover it. You are an authorized distributor, but why don't they feel comfortable enough in you work to cover it. They will cover the transmission if it is raced at the track. Just look at the ad the have. If they stand behind their transmission, why can't you?

Greg.