Gates Repair & Machine

To Whom it may concern at Revdex.com: On Sep 14, 2015 Ms. [redacted] brought her 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche in for a transfer case problem.  Upon inspection I found no fluid in transfer case and it was stuck in gear and would not shift due to lack of oil.  I advised and quoted her a used transfer case...

because of the high mileage on her vehicle.  Upon approval I replaced transfer case, filled with proper fluids and test drove.  I repaired belts and tensioners at this time.  After I checked all operations and made sure it was shifting properly I released the vehicle to Ms. [redacted]. On Oct.9, 2015 Ms. [redacted] brought the Avalanche in for a 4X4 light on.  I looked at the transfer case and found nothing out of the ordinary.  I scanned and found an Encoder Motor Code.  I tested all connections and voltages going to motor and found them to be good.  I cleared the codes and test drove checking all operations and functions.  No codes returned.  I found that the front wheel bearing was bad, advised Ms. [redacted] and replaced left front wheel bearing at that time.  Customer then pushed the fact that according to Google, the problem was a computer that needed to be reset by pulling a fuse and replacing it.  This was done per the customer’s request.  Ms. [redacted] was unhappy with the price and I told her I would go half of the price if actions did not fix the problem with the light.  I was not contacted that the light had come back on so I felt that the problem was fixed and expected full payment. On Feb 11, 2016 I received a call from Ms. [redacted] that she was at [redacted] Auto Plaza in Quincy and was having a rear U joint replaced.  Ms. [redacted] said the service manager said the transfer case was making noise.  I asked Ms [redacted] to bring Avalanche to the shop to check transfer case.  A little later Ms [redacted] called and said that a few miles down the Interstate the vehicle started shaking bad.  She headed back to [redacted]’s and they said the U joint that they had just replaced had broken due to the transfer case problem.  Ms [redacted] towed the avalanche to the shop.  I put the vehicle on the lift, inspected and found U Joint with three-snap rings and one cap missing, not broken (I have pictures).  I installed a new U joint properly, test ran on the lift and found no vibration but transfer case was noisy.  (In my opinion the original U joint was bad and [redacted] replaced and failed to install all snap rings causing it to throw cap out and causing the vibration.  There is no way a transfer case could cause this U joint problem.)  I next checked the transfer case fluid as the undercarriage was damp from oil and there was no oil in transfer case (I have pictures).  I advised Ms [redacted] that the transfer case was empty.  I asked her when the last time it was serviced and did they advise here that there was a leak.  Ms [redacted] could not remember.  I told her that if it had a leak and I had been contacted that I could have fixed it at that time.  I then reminded her that the used transfer case had a 90 day warrantee and they would not cover if it had been run without oil.  At that time I told Ms [redacted] that I could not warranty the transfer case due to lack of maintenance.  If properly maintained by anyone, I could have repaired the leak and avoided this whole ordeal.  In conclusion I feel that the three oil changes that she says she had done should have found the leak much earlier so I could have fixed the problem.  However if I am not informed there is a problem I cannot fix the problem.  I have never before had a customer that I have not been able to work out the problem with personally and hope to never have a problem like this again. Thank You