Transfer Case Officially Recalled

[ntenz]

ok, i replaced my transfer case a about 2 months ago. Is there any way i can get reimbursed? The damn case and labor cost well over a grand, and i'd like that back.

[surgeon83]

Where'd you get a TC for a grand? I guess it was used? If so, they will not reimburse you, but they will do whatever they're doing for everyone else for you too; that is, if they're just replacing those C rings, they'll do that for you, and if they're replacing the whole assembly, they'll do that for you, too. Then you can exchange your used TC for a bran new one.

I'm a bit worried guys, something tells me they're just going to put C rings on them. We won't notice any difference in how our cars drive

[ROD]

sean, you might know a little more about this so correct me if I'm wrong, but after talking to several mitsu dealers and searching the NHTSA website, I've come to the conclusion that no recall has made as of yet. The recall process goes like this: 1) owners submit complaint report 2) NHTSA looks over this report and if lots of them are sent in reporting the same problem, a defect trend investigation is made. 3) if trend is found, official letter of investigation gets sent to manufacturer. 4) Manufacturer conducts its own defect trend investigation. 5) if trend is found, manufacturer starts analysis of reported part and determines if recall is warranted and reports back to NHTSA . 6) If manufacturer wants to issue a recall, it sends it out through NHTSA.

Searching the NHTSA, either it is seriously outdated or I've found that our case is barely at step 3. The NHTSA opened up an investigation on 31 JAN 2002 and is now barely getting done with it. Fortunately, they did find a defect trend and have sent Mitsu a letter. I think this is what we just heard of. Based ont he timeline of other recalls, it could be months before Mitsu determines that there is a problem and even more months before they come up with a solution and build up enough stock to have available for the recall. Regardless, it is a step in the right direction.

Searching through the complaint database, I found only about 5 reports of our problem. if we want the NHTSA and Mitsu to seriously consider the recall, everyone needs to fill out the form, it takes about 5 minutes at most. If NHTSA gets hundreds of identical reports, then it will surely get their attention.

[dreamweavd]

I'm doing everything I can to learn as much as I can about our cars, but I'm a little hazy on the whole transfer case and where it resides in the whole transmission/transfer of power. I, like most people with cars at around 60K have weak syncros, the *transfer case* has nothing to do with this, that's all transmission. Correct me if I'm wrong. However, last time I had my oil changed (usually do it myself, but I was out of town) the tech said he noticed a very "small" leak down there I can't remember what he called it, but I don't think he really knew what to call it. when I said transfer case he agreed. He said it was very small and did'nt look like a big concern *yet*. So basically, the point of this whole post is to ask this: We will not see any improvement on the driveability of our vehicles from this recall, right? Just the assurance we are'nt draining our gear oil out, thus leading to our tranny exploding.

[dreadie]

ok FIRST off, to set the "steps" set that we are at....

step
1) several people have submitted compalints
2) NHTSA has contacted MANY people, and even came out to look at some vehicles, I think the gentleman handling this was Eduardo, (see the first post on this thread, and see who wrote it )
3) Letter has been sent to mitsu/chrylser
4) Any VR-4 owner in So. Cal. were able to go and get their transfer cases REPLACED as mitsubishi was conducting quality control checks on it, and paid each person 100$ + a rental car
5) Mitsu had reported back to the NHTSA, based on Eduardo's email to the person who first posted it on this board
6) once again, read first post on this thread, it is signed by Eduardo, the person conducting research, and contacting the owners including myself.

if you would just READ the first post, it pretty much sums up everything, the recall HAS been made, mitsu just needs to assign a recall # to it, and its a done deal. Use the search feature, or maybe the big STICKY thread, discussing the transfer case recall, and you MAY have a clue as to whats going on... oh yea.. dont forget the "search" button

[ROD]

well, then i guess the NHTSA site is seriously outdated because i searched it for over 45 minutes and latest step taken I found was that an investigation was opened on January 31 2002 and that a letter was sent to Mitsu. Hopefully that is the case and maybe indeed a recall has been ordered already.

[surgeon83]

Originally posted by dreamweavd
We will not see any improvement on the driveability of our vehicles from this recall, right? Just the assurance we are'nt draining our gear oil out, thus leading to our tranny exploding.

The transmission will not explode if the TC oil leaks out; the TC will lock up and cause all 4 wheels to lock up while driving, resulting in a serious accident. As to whether we'll notice any difference in driveability, it depends on what they do. If they just replace the C ring, then no, we won't notice any difference at all. If by some chance they replace the whole TC, then for people with worn out TCs, it will greatly reduce the amount of play in the drivetrain, resulting in smoother engagement of the clutch. When the TC is worn out, that is when the bearings are too worn and loose, this intruduces quite a bit of play in the drivetrain, which will be experienced as a small thud or thunk every time the clutch is let out or when you push on the gas after coasting in gear. So if they replace the whole TC, it will of course have bran new bearings, and get rid of all of that unwanted slack.

[surgeon83]

Originally posted by ROD
well, then i guess the NHTSA site is seriously outdated because i searched it for over 45 minutes and latest step taken I found was that an investigation was opened on January 31 2002 and that a letter was sent to Mitsu. Hopefully that is the case and maybe indeed a recall has been ordered already.

I guess it is a bit outdated then. Rest assured that this is not BS. I remember when they did that investigation in So Cal in late march, remember when those guys got a free new TC installed, plus a check for $100 and a rental car?? And how Mike at Pomona Mitsubishi said it was for research?? I guess the results are in...

[BlackLight]

a small thud or thunk every time the clutch is let out or when you push on the gas after coasting in gear

I have replaced the carrier bearings, motor mounts, tranny mounts, wheel hubs, the tranny was rebuilt, and tires replaced trying (or hoping) to get rid of that dam vibration and thud!!!!!!!

If the TC is the cause, will it also cause vibration under acceleration?? I am getting a pretty narley thud these days (after 3SX solid motor mounts) so I hope they do replace the whole TC and hopefully it fixes the problem, there is nothing left to replace that I can think of!!!

[ROD]

I was under the impression that it is the synchros in our transmissions that are the most common problem with our cars. So if they recall the transfer case, that will only take care of the leaky TCs and reduce the risk of a lock up at highway speed. Unless they fix our trannies too, will they have solved our problem? I'm kinda confused as to what the transfer case involves and what the transmission involves.