Trading Places
Most builders swapping hard parts have learned that mismatching drive components in a transverse unit will result in a host of negative consequences. The wrong ratio sprocket(s) or carrier can result in TCC and ratio codes, along with converter and unit clutch slippage. Unfortunately, optional ratios aren’t exclusive to the final drive; they can exist in the valve body as well.
The Cog in Your Customer Experience Strategy
At the shop, they were able to remove the stubborn cog in a few minutes and the service guy walked me to the register. “That will be $17.64,” he said. Hmmm, I thought. It was a bit more than I expected, but certainly worth the time and effort I saved not fighting this with a vice, torch, and other Medieval devices. “Really?” I asked him, wanting to confirm that was the correct amount. The line item in the receipt read FREEWHEEL REMOVAL – and my project was a cog removal. He confirmed. I shook my head, paid and left.
Motorists May Know Something They Don’t Know
A critical part of an accurate diagnosis by the technician relies on the initial interaction between the customer and a skilled service adviser. A good adviser knows how to get details about the problem from the customer, including valuable information that the customer might otherwise feel is insignificant or unimportant. Sometimes these details are the clues that lead us to the solution. Sometimes even the best adviser still can’t get all of the details from the customer, or at least up front.
Quick Peek at New Ford / GM 10 Speed
Approximately 10 years after Ford and General Motors joined together to develop a six-speed front-wheel-drive transmission, they have done it again, developing a 10-speed rear-wheel-drive transmission.
Preferred Transmissions Plus, Oregon, Ohio
After more than a quarter-century of rebuilding, with self-awareness that this was the time to make the move, and with strong spousal encouragement, Dean Rhodes opened Preferred Transmissions Plus in 2011 in Oregon, Ohio, near Toledo.
Millennial Marketing Can Be Awesome for Your Business
Encountering a millennial in the workplace is pretty normal for most of us now, depending on the industry. If you’re in a business that utilizes technology, then there’s a bigger chance you’re surrounded by millennials – or maybe you’re a millennial yourself. If you’re in the automotive or machining industry, it may be different. Regardless of your industry, you probably have people talking about millennials whether it’s good or bad, true or false, right or wrong, the stereotypes are out there in full force.
Programming Not Included
A customer recently brought his 2011 Ford F-150 into our facility after a general-repair shop (not a specialized transmission shop) had just installed a used transmission. His truck was a 4WD vehicle equipped with a 5.0L engine and 6R80 transmission. When the customer picked up the truck from the previous shop he was told that the transmission was installed and everything was fine, but it still needed to be programmed (the shop didn’t have the equipment to perform this important step).
7 G-Tronic Plus Generation Six – Part 1
Mercedes’ 7-speed transmission known as the 7 G-Tronic is commonly referred to as the 722.9 transmission. This 5th generation of Mercedes’ transmission lineup made its first appearance in 2003. By 2010 a revised version of this transmission was developed making it the 6th generation of transmissions calling it the 7 G-Tronic Plus.
12 Ways to Build Better Customer Relationships
Deeply connected, trust-based, and authentic customer relationships are hard to come by. When you know how to create these relationships with your customers, you’ll win their loyalty, earn referrals and enjoy repeat business for years to come.
July 2018 Issue
In This Issue
4F27E/FNR5: Slipping or No Reverse
6F50N: Bump/slip on initial takeoff
6R80: One-way clutch bias spring
6R80: Output speed sensor failure
6R140W: 1-2-3-4/3-5-R clutch housing assembly
BMW xDrive AWD: Transfer case and grinding noise
The Variable Line Pressure Solenoid
The 41TES and the 42RLE-VLPS are known to produce a “Line Pressure to High” code P0869 due to defective TCM/PCM’s immediately after a 2-3 shift. When this call comes in on our help line, we ask the tech involved to run some tests so we can be certain that a defective computer is the cause. Being a pattern failure, a repair tech can be as costly as buying a computer that doesn’t fix the problem and makes for a bad day.
TCRA: Growing an Association
At the recent Torque Converter Rebuilders Association (TCRA) seminar in Coral Gables, Fla., we sat down with the board of directors to discuss the organization, its member and its objectives. We started the conversation with the observation, “There was a time not too long ago when transmission builders would blame the converter for nearly every problem that cropped up after a rebuild.”
