Firecracker Performance / Mitchell Transmission is incompetent
Traveling across country our Jeep's AW4 transmission self destructed on I-64. Rick's Towing company took us to their shop in Grayville IL that Friday (04 October 2019) and recommend Firecracker Performance/ Mitchell Transmission,(FP/MT) outside of Evansville IN. I spoke with Jerry Hall, owner of FP/MT, on the phone and he stated he could rebuild my transmission (site unseen) for $2,000. He stated that he could have it done by the following Wednesday. We rented a car and continued on our trip. Rick's towed the jeep to FP/MT the following Monday. In subsequent telephone conversations, Jerry told me that our transmission overheated and plastic washers melted inside it. He stated that the parts were no longer available. Jerry remarked that his search for another transmission required shipping one from Florida that was rebuilt by Transtar Industries. He added that the price would increase with shipping to $2,800. Having no other options, I approved this change and was told that shipping would require another week.
With a rental to return and a trailer still in Grayville, we picked up our jeep from FP/MT in a hurry on that Wednesday (16 October 2019). On the drive back west, I noticed a harsh vibration when the the automatic down-shifted into 2nd on long climbs. The Jeep did not vibrate at higher RPM's prior to FP/MT performing their work. In addition, after the work was performed by FP/MT, the Jeep ran a little sluggish and the rear back-up lights and camera only worked sporadically.
When I returned to Sacramento, I spoke with Eddie at Transtech Transmission. After recounting my story, Eddie remarked that the AW4 was a very popular transmission and he has rebuilt several of them and has never had any problems locating parts for one.
On the 31st of October, I took the the Jeep to a mechanic that I trust at T1 Automotive, ASE certified. Hai, owner and master mechanic, ask me to leave the Jeep with him. A few hours later he asked me to come by and drive my Jeep. He simply readjusted the downshift cable and the transformation was very noticeable. He explained that the adjustment (by FP/MT) was way off. Next, with the jeep on a lift, we addressed the leaking quick-release fitting (a $10 item that should have been replaced by FP/MT) on the passengers side and the leaking electrical connection on the other side. A replacement "O" ring, that should have been installed by FP/MT, was utilized to solve this issue. Hai pointed out that my rear main-seal was leaking now as well. It was not leaking prior to work performed by FP/MT. The back-up lights and camera was solved by correcting the switch adjustment.
Hai noted that BOTH front engine mounts were broken. They were not broken prior to work performed by FP/MT. The entire drive-train (I-6 engine, transmission and transfer case) is suspended from these two mounts at the front of the engine and one mount below the transfer case at the end of the drive-train. Removing the transfer case mount to get to the transmission without adequately shoring the engine will twist the mounts and break them . Hai stated that the work performed by FP/MT was unprofessional and in California, the Bureau of Automotive Repair would make FP/MT reimburse me for T1's work. FC/MT's liability for the total of their errors and omissions would be $514.88 (exclusive of the leaking main seal). He further stated that additional work like this would force closing the shop in California. The vibration ceased after the mounts were replaced.
I called Jerry and relayed what had transpired. I ask him to reimburse me for the additional expenses to correct his work. He stated that the leaks were a result of Transtar's rebuild. This is physically impossible as the these leaking connections between my Jeep and the transmission couldn't have been been made in Florida with my Jeep at Jerry's shop. Jerry eventually hung up on me terminating our conversation. I have images and invoices to verify this information available on request. read more
