Shoulda bought a Lentech

[TbirdSC93]

ok guys...heres the story



As some of you may know I had the transmission rebuilt in my car back in july....well its been broke for a bout 5 weeks now....The trasmission was supposed to have a 1 year/12k mile warranty. Now heres the good part.

I took the car to the shop 4 weeks ago, It took him 2 weeks to pull the tranny and week to get it looked at...I would check in at least twice a week to what was going on. I go in today and he tells me the transmissions be rebuilt and that hes waiting on the torque converter, he told me hes gonna need like 750 dollars, Im like I thought i was under warranty and he tells me that I drove it to hard and its my fault that it broke. Well Im like I dont have that kind of money and he basically tells me to tow it away then and I go fine and walk away. He then says hes keeping the tranny and I keep walking cuz Im to pissed. He never said anything about money in any of the previous trips.

Now when I took it in originally I told him exactly what I wanted and wanted it for around 2k because thats what the Art Carr were runnin and he said he could do it. I told him what kind of mods I had and stuff like that. He damn well knew what I was gonna do with this tranny and now hes saying it broke because of abuse???

Now I figure he should honour the warranty for one...2...even if he doesnt he should restore the car to the way it was when I brought it in which was runnin almost perfect except for slipping when it was cold.

Now tomorrow my dads gonna call up and talk to him and see what he says....if he says no I guess im gonna have to take him to court or whatever.

Any suggestions comments?

[JJanney]

I think small claims court is under $5000 and you represent yourself. You might want to look into that... This guy sounds like a jerk-off.

[onequiksc]

I think small claims court is under $5000 and you represent yourself. You might want to look into that... This guy sounds like a jerk-off.

Jeramie, that really blows. I agree with JJ, it doesn't cost much to file in small claims as far as I know. The bad thing is, there's no guarantee he'll pay even if you win. But you can hurt his business with the BBB and that against him no doubt, he may not want that bad mark on him. Or he may be the kind of guy that does this on a regular basis-never intending to honor a warranty he gives, simply by always implying abuse on the buyer's part. Shifty stuff, pardon the pun.

I hope your dad can give him an earful and make him act, because that's total BS. Lentech doesn't qualify their warrantees predicated on gentle driving-they EXPECT people to race them, and are so built for it. He should do the same IMO.

How can he prove you abused it anyway? What did he find with the T/C that would point to you? BS, pure BS.

[TbirdSC93]

First things first.....Jeremy :D


He says the torque converter got to hot and balooned up first...then when they got it apart the OD band was broke and all the clutches were burned up....Funny thing is the OD was working, barely, before I brought it in.....0.


I'm assuming the 4:10s played some part in the demise of the tranny...but that was one thing I emphasized when I originally brought it in tho.

[JJanney]

Does not really matter about your gearing, you told him specifically what you wanted and what you would be using it for, with even a list of mods. The burden all falls on his shoulders because either a) he did not build you a transmission to your original specifications or b) he does not want to honor his warranty or to back up his work. Either way, I'd fight it out. :)

[Gregthespy]

Hey Jeremy,
That totally sucks, I really hope you get it straightend out before it gets to the point of going to court. I definately am with the rest of the guys, you told him straight up that the car was built up to be driven hard, and you wanted a tranny to match, if you wanted a tranny that was inferior and wouldin't have a warranty you would have taken a tranny out of a junkyard!
Give us an update on what the shop owner says after your dad talks with him, and if nothing else I'm sure the Florida boys would like to pay him a visit for ya! ;)

[Ripper]

Sounds like a crystal ball for what I will be dealing with in a couple months.. If I ever get my car back to begin with.

[007_SuperCoupe]

Sounds like there was one of 2 things that happened. First your tranny was re-built as an N/A tranny. They won't last long in a stock SC, let alone a modified one. See ify ou can find out what internal parts were used. Second, it could have been that the TV cable was not adjusted properly. Either way, it can be viewed as installation error. However, not all courts will agree. Particularly if your state has laws against modifying emission controled vehicles.

I would try to get a complete list of parts that he used to re-build your tranny. If you do get that, then you can get with Art Carr, or Lentech and have them look at it and give a statement as to whether that tranny would hold up under driving with the type of power and torque your car produces.

Best piece of advice I can give you is to be prepared. If you simply go in there and say that there was a 1 year warantee and nothing else, you'll lose. If you go in there with evidence and you present it in a organized fashion, you have a very good chance of winning. And technically, any information they have regarding the situation, they have to disclose. The legal term is "discovery." If they refuse to provide that information, then disclose that in court. But you have to ask. My guess is that the tranny shop doesn't know much about the law and contract dispute. The will more than likely hire a lawyer for that. So that means that you've got to have your ducks in order. I personally think that you've got a very good chance of winning. And if you're under 18 there may be some other avenues you can take to get all of your money back. I'd have to go back and look into my law books to find out that info for you. And I'm not in Florida either, so I don't know what the laws are there. But it could be a start for you at any rate. Let me know if you want more information.

[TbirdSC93]

It was supposed to be a built up AOD....I asked for a list of parts that he put in and he said thta he didnt have the boxes anymore but said stuff like the kevlar OD band and some better clutches, but I know theres more to it than that...that was at the original build. I have a feeling now that crap parts were used other than maybe a select few things. I paid about 1700 or so for this rebuild about 7 months ago.

Also, he never gave me an estimate for this new rebuild, never had my written approval for the rebuild, and never even mentioned money till he was about done(tranny done, Torque converter on order) so I think that may help my side of the case too....

Let me know what I should do should it come down to courts and stuff...

[TbirdSC93]

I had my father talk to him a couple times....
First he claimed that I only had a 6 month/6k mile warranty when its cleary written 1yr/12kmiles on my receipt, he says he wont cover it anyways cuz I rode it to hard and that it had a small tranny leak and I had to add fluid to it....1. I check my fluids about once a month and it was never low...2. I only had to add fluid when I changed my tranny filter(which is mounted seperate)

He wont put my transmission back in because he already built it, without my signed approval or with out an estimate, and wants to keep the whole transmission. Now Ill have to tow my car w/o a transmission back to my house....I dont have the money to get another one in the time being so im really f**cked right now

[kamakazie_1]

Sounds like the shop is a freakin looser there Jeremy, call the BBB as soon as you get the car out of his shop!! Then go after his butt for misrepresentation and completing work without written consent, it is a law in Florida, if the repair value is over a certain amount and you did not sign a consent the shop has a heck of a lot more to loose than you do...

RJ

[Jake]

Jeremy, after you get this worked out there is a tranny shop in my area that rebuilt mine with abuse in mind for only 800.00 dollars. with a 1yr, 12,000 mile warranty. I asked him is there a break in time for these he said no. And you know how hard I beat mine. I don't think the gears had anything much to do with it. I was big into 4x4ing before I got hooked on racing and had a F-150 with 4:56 in it and it never gave me any probs. Sounds like bad workmanship to me. Good luck.

[thewood]

ok guys...heres the story



As some of you may know I had the transmission rebuilt in my car back in july....well its been broke for a bout 5 weeks now....The trasmission was supposed to have a 1 year/12k mile warranty. Now heres the good part.

I took the car to the shop 4 weeks ago, It took him 2 weeks to pull the tranny and week to get it looked at...I would check in at least twice a week to what was going on. I go in today and he tells me the transmissions be rebuilt and that hes waiting on the torque converter, he told me hes gonna need like 750 dollars, Im like I thought i was under warranty and he tells me that I drove it to hard and its my fault that it broke. Well Im like I dont have that kind of money and he basically tells me to tow it away then and I go fine and walk away. He then says hes keeping the tranny and I keep walking cuz Im to pissed. He never said anything about money in any of the previous trips.

Now when I took it in originally I told him exactly what I wanted and wanted it for around 2k because thats what the Art Carr were runnin and he said he could do it. I told him what kind of mods I had and stuff like that. He damn well knew what I was gonna do with this tranny and now hes saying it broke because of abuse???

Now I figure he should honour the warranty for one...2...even if he doesnt he should restore the car to the way it was when I brought it in which was runnin almost perfect except for slipping when it was cold.

Now tomorrow my dads gonna call up and talk to him and see what he says....if he says no I guess im gonna have to take him to court or whatever.

Any suggestions comments?
Hey maybe you can get him to go on Peoples Court so we can all see who this scumbag really is?

[Flip]

I would follow RJ’s advice; it is Florida State law that he is liable for the repair if it was done without your written consent. You do have to make sure what ever work order you might have signed when you dropped the car off, didn’t give him the authorization to do any repair work. I would start putting a little pressure on him now, if you won’t let you take the transmission with you. I would put a call in the BBB and see what they say. Even if you had to take in parts and to another shop to put it together. You also might want to offer to meet him half-way on the cost, get your car and run like hell.

Just my two cents worth, good luck.

[thewood]

I would follow RJ’s advice; Just my two cents worth, good luck.
I don't know if I would even want it from him.. I'd rather have cash at this point. Who knows what he's done or is going to do to it if you win a court case.

[TbirdSC93]

Yeah at this point I dont want his crap in my car...and I definitely wouldnt pay even a $1 for this rebuild...

I never signed anything at any point during the time he had my car...no work order or anything


I think im just gonna get my car towed home and then do what I can to have him reimburse/buy me a new tranny...Does anyone know what sue for in court to get what I can outta him...

Ive never really had any experience with this stuff so any would help

Thanx for everything,
Jeremy

[Flip]

If you did not sign anything, check the law and I think you will find out that you have more leverage than you think before you have it towed.

[TbirdSC93]

Had her towed home today (I missed that dern car) and Im going to talk to lawyer on wednesday....

[Sweet90SC]

My god..And I thought I was in alot of pain....Ya know I know this guy that lives in a one room trailer that for 50 bucks and a six of old Mill... :rolleyes:...
anywhoo can ya at least find an old orig AOD to get ya around in her till ya can get a real Lentech.....
Rick :cool:

[TbirdSC93]

Nope...I cant afford anything else right now...

[SuperChicken89]

Jeremy... Boy your predicament really sucks! Unfortunately I see the Lawyer as your only alternative. Go get this SOB and make him pay.
Please keep us updated on the progress of your case.

Bryan

[Sweet90SC]

Hey I'm thinkin bout gettin an Art Carr AOD....been asking around the forums if anyone thinks they are worth the 185or not...do you know anything about them??

Rick :cool:

[TbirdSC93]

I would just get the Lentech...is only a lil more....and its proven. Plus you get that manual valve body...boy that will be fun!!

[Sweet90SC]

Do they have a web site?

Rick :cool:

[SuperChicken89]

Rick... Yes they do have a web site. Lentech Automatics (http://www.lentechautomatics.com)
Dan has a Lentech street terminator if I am correct. So if you want some first hand feedback, he's the guy to ask.
I have a Lentech street terminator valve body in my custom Ford Shoppe AOD. I love the manual 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear selection plus the electronic overdrive delete. It is such a blast to drive I've decided to put the exact same setup in my 69 Cougar project car.

Bryan

[Sweet90SC]

Thanks Bryan I'll givem a looksie...Hey I hadn't heard weather or not you guys were commin May 16th :confused:...I saw you on RJ's List

Rick :cool:

[SuperChicken89]

Rick... Not sure on May 16th yet. I will let you know in advance whether or not we are coming.

Bryan

[Kurt K]

I would just get the Lentech...is only a lil more Well, if you need a convertor (and you usually replace it when the tranny goes bad, or at least send it out to get flushed), the Art Carr works out to be a lot cheaper. That is if SC Performance is still offering a free convertor. Of course I paid to upgrade to their top-of-the-line convertor, but that's only needed if your over 550 ft-lb at the crank :)

I have always preached "Buy Lentech" and that was my plan when my tranny broke last year. But financially, it wasn't an option. I don't have the transmission yet, so I can't report back. I will say that the thing that sealed the deal for me going with the Art Carr was that they are supposedly offering a new VB that too has the electronic OD delete. With that said, if I don't like the VB I will be swapping it out for my Lentech Street Terminator VB. Hopefully, I don't have to go thru that headache.

[Sweet90SC]

Ok Bryan...Hope you guys can....I think I'll think about it for a while and consider what engine mods I'm gonna do first...


Thanks Rick :cool:

[TbirdSC93]

I really want the Lentech for the manual valve body....I read somewhere that Art Carr will put in the Lentech valve body...Is that true??

What should I do to keep the cost down and get a manual valve body?

[Kurt K]

I read somewhere that Art Carr will put in the Lentech valve body...Is that true?? Yes, Art Carr will (and has in the past) install a Lentech VB into one of their transmissions. I don't think they really like to do it, but Lentech does drop-ship to Art Car just for that reason.

[TbirdSC93]

The pre-trial is set for july 28th...Do you guys have any advice?

So far Im bringing:

Copy of oringinal rebuild receipt
Copy of quote for new Art Carr tranny
Copy of quote for install
Copy of Towing receipt
Printed up my story for reference
and took some pictures of odometer mileage picture underneath car to show the lack of a transmission. Pics are date stamped from Kinko's to show still within warranty period.

Suing for $2314 all documented cept for transmission fluid

[Jake]

good luck Jeremy, have you heard anything from the tranny shop?

[TbirdSC93]

havent heard anything yet....i imagine he should know by now. I go back to work tomorrow and I work with a friend of his so I imagine ill here something. I think i got this case on lock down...I know im gonna win, its what im gonna win is what im worried about.

[SuperChicken89]

Glad to hear you have a court date. The only advice I can give you is to be totally prepared. You might consider some legal guidance from Legal Aid if you haven’t done so already. Or you may ask for some advice from NYC RUSS over at the TBU. I believe he is a lawyer.
Keep us posted.

Bryan

[Kurt K]

Or you may ask for some advice from NYC RUSS over at the TBU. I believe he is a lawyer. You will have to put up with sarcastic comments though :rolleyes: Well, maybe not.

[TbirdSC93]

hey kurt....ill be in the southeast corner of MO at the end of august if you guys have anything goin on? wont be in the SC tho

[SuperChicken89]

You will have to put up with sarcastic comments though

Thats 1/2 the fun of getting advice from Russ!

Bryan

[Kurt K]

hey kurt....ill be in the southeast corner of MO at the end of august if you guys have anything goin on? wont be in the SC thoIf you can venture up to St. Louis, we are actually already starting to plan the next TBU meet. We might be able to plan it around you (I personally know that clubs can cater to visitors :D ).

Either way, try to shoot me an email reminder around the end of July or begining of August.

[TbirdSC93]

If you can venture up to St. Louis, we are actually already starting to plan the next TBU meet. We might be able to plan it around you (I personally know that clubs can cater to visitors :D ).

Either way, try to shoot me an email reminder around the end of July or begining of August.

yea...ill see if i can...ill have to find out how far from St. louis well be....If youve got a thread for the meet started shoot me a link so I can stay up to date

[Sweet90SC]

St Louis Is in the central East area so you wont be too far away there Jeremy...Where ya goin????

[Kurt K]

yea...ill see if i can...ill have to find out how far from St. louis well be....If youve got a thread for the meet started shoot me a link so I can stay up to date
Kennett, MO is in the "Boot Heel" area and is about 210 miles from St. Louis.

Anyway, there aren't any threads started yet, but when you get ready to head this way, stop in at the Thunderbird Underground and details will be posted there for sure.

[TbirdSC93]

im goin to birchtree, MO....which is actually more torwards the central south...yahoo says 211miles and 4 hours.

[TbirdSC93]

Well I just got back from the pre-trial conference. He doesn't want to settle and I guess he thinks or has been thinking that I am suing because the warranty. Hes bring "expert witnesses" and parts for evidence...I guess none of that will matter since im suing because he didnt give me a written estimate. His defense is that I should have known the cost from the original receipt.

Also he kinda started tryin to rip on me in the conference...boy did I wanna jump that table to get to him. :mad: :mad: :mad:

Any advice?

Thanx guys,
Jeremy V

[Jake]

Sorry I don't have any advice but what do you mean starting to rip on you?

[TbirdSC93]

Sorry I don't have any advice but what do you mean starting to rip on you?
He pretty much tried to call me stupid and was being kinda condescending....was getting on my nerves'


BTW....the court date is set for september 7th

[SuperChicken89]

Sounds like you kept your cool during the meeting. Good for you! I really hope your Sept. 7th court date goes in your favor.

Bryan

[Jake]

Good luck in court tuesday JV, I hope this hurricane doesn't push the date back any further. After this is said and done are you still gonna get the Lentech?

[TbirdSC93]

thanx, I was gonna go with the Art Carr but i may go with what we discussed

[TbirdSC93]

$750+court costs is what i get

[SuperChicken89]

$750+court costs is what i get
Is that all? :eek:
Does that include your old trans returned to you? Please more info.

Bryan

[TbirdSC93]

Is that all? :eek:
Does that include your old trans returned to you? Please more info.

Bryan

thats all...no more useful info to give

[SuperChicken89]

Boy that just doesn't seem right. You can't get a tranny for $750. Man JV I feel for you right now.

Bryan

[TbirdSC93]

You can't get a tranny for $750.
Bryan
i know....not much else i can do i guess...keep an eye out for me...maybe a parts car with a 5speed

[kamakazie_1]

That sucks!! What the heck did the judge think you had a honda?? $750, what about the money you'd already paid the SOB??

RJ

[TbirdSC93]

well guys...i recieved first payment on my judgement...he gave me a check for 17.63! ~~~! what a ****ing dick. This is BS and i hope theres something i can do...ill have to check after the weekend if everything aint closed from the storm :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Gregthespy]

well guys...i recieved first payment on my judgement...he gave me a check for 17.63! ~~~! what a ****ing dick. This is BS and i hope theres something i can do...ill have to check after the weekend if everything aint closed from the storm :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
I hope this isin't the case, but when my brother-in-law's $500.00 in stereo equipment was stolen from his car and they finally caught the guy and charged him he was given a "payment plan" that he could pay back the people he took the stuff from in small payments. He was feeling the same as you when he recieved a check for under $10.00, you can't go out and buy back what was stolen with $10.00! :rolleyes:
I hope you can figure out if there is another route to getting a lump sum for the ammount in full or at least a few larger payments.
Good luck Jeremy, and I'll keep an eye out for a '93 5 speed donor car for you in the area.

[Flip]

It’s one thing to win the judgment and quite another to get paid. As long as he is making payments, I believe it’s legal for him to do even if they are very small. It really sucks…. :(

[Jake]

Sorry to hear that JV, I'm going to the junkyard to get a hood while I'm there I 'll look around for a tranny. For some reason there is always a different SC there and maybe we'll get lucky.