I think I just blew my transmission

[Toddasaurus]

Since you're going to bring it to the dealership, I would seriously consider even swapping back to the stock springs and wheels... If your dealer is anything like mine, they'll rat you out to corporate and they won't cover a damn thing. Some dealerships are total a**holes, and they'll screw you over at the drop of a hat.

Yeah yeah, Magnuson-Moss act blah blah. But unless you're willing to spend a ton of money on a lawyer and prepared to spend months, or even years fighting Kia to cover whatever repairs may be needed, Kia can basically do whatever the hell they want and not cover a single thing under warranty.

In my opinion, it's worth taking the extra time to bring your car back to COMPLETELY stock before even coming close to the dealership. This includes suspension AND wheels. Heck, if I lived close to you I'd be happy to help you do the work - that's how bad my dealer tried to screw me with my car.

Whatever you end up doing, good luck. I hope whatever is wrong isn't a big deal and they can get it all fixed up for you.

 

[Scott Curry]

Since you're going to bring it to the dealership, I would seriously consider even swapping back to the stock springs and wheels... If your dealer is anything like mine, they'll rat you out to corporate and they won't cover a damn thing. Some dealerships are total a**holes, and they'll screw you over at the drop of a hat.

Yeah yeah, Magnuson-Moss act blah blah. But unless you're willing to spend a ton of money on a lawyer and prepared to spend months, or even years fighting Kia to cover whatever repairs may be needed, Kia can basically do whatever the hell they want and not cover a single thing under warranty.

In my opinion, it's worth taking the extra time to bring your car back to COMPLETELY stock before even coming close to the dealership. This includes suspension AND wheels. Heck, if I lived close to you I'd be happy to help you do the work - that's how bad my dealer tried to screw me with my car.

Whatever you end up doing, good luck. I hope whatever is wrong isn't a big deal and they can get it all fixed up for you.

Yeah I know what you're saying, unfortunately I don't have the stock wheels those were blown apart when I ran something over on the freeway. With as many people out there with suspension and wheels on these days with no issues I'll probably just have to take my chances with that part everything else will be stock though.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

Well I have heard of them trying to say that the larger rotation overall diameter and sizing could cause stress on the transmission components inside. And then when you lower the car the angle of the drive shafts can cause or effect the transmission inside, its total horseshit it's just a way that I've heard of them trying to get out of warranty issues on Transmissions.

Unless you're mismatching tire diameters, it's not even remotely a factor. The rule of thumb I often see for AWD setups is to keep diameter difference of the tires within 3%-4% between front and rear to avoid the wear issue but I would shoot for closer than that. Furthermore, damage from that would be limited to the transfer case/center diff, NOT the transmission.

 

[Nuthadey]

Yeah I know what you're saying, unfortunately I don't have the stock wheels those were blown apart when I ran something over on the freeway. With as many people out there with suspension and wheels on these days with no issues I'll probably just have to take my chances with that part everything else will be stock though.

Is the Stinger the first car you've owned?

 

[Scott Curry]

Is the Stinger the first car you've owned?

Not even close..

 

[CFLGT2AWDStinger]

See the weird thing is im having what felt like trans issues as well.. running jb4 map 2. Car has 43k miles now.. took off the jb4 and explained to the dealer it was hitting the rev limiter. Boom presto new trans. Didnt take them long to just go ahead and replace it.

 

[Scott Curry]

Really? That easy? Did you have rims tires lowered anything like that else done on it?

 

[cncBilly]

See the weird thing is im having what felt like trans issues as well.. running jb4 map 2. Car has 43k miles now.. took off the jb4 and explained to the dealer it was hitting the rev limiter. Boom presto new trans. Didnt take them long to just go ahead and replace it.

Sounds like a dream visit to the dealership. We all wish we lived close.

 

[Scott Curry]

Yeah I'm going to find out how much it is to truck my car up to Canada. Geezzz

 

[me&stinger]

I'm simple but I'm also curious.

If it is a transmission issue, is there a reason to suspect the wheels/tires and lowering the car before suspecting mods that tune the car?

 

[Scott Curry]

Just because anything attached to the transmission in the way of driveline they are always suspect and looking for an out. I'm just a little worried they'll try to use that old bullshit that the car is lower and the wheels and tires are causing undo stress with angles on the transfer case/ differential and overall diameter changes therefore causing stress on the transmission. you wouldn't believe what these turds come up with some times and they just stick with it and stare at you and you have no power to change their decision.

 

[Toddasaurus]

Unless you're mismatching tire diameters, it's not even remotely a factor. The rule of thumb I often see for AWD setups is to keep diameter difference of the tires within 3%-4% between front and rear to avoid the wear issue but I would shoot for closer than that. Furthermore, damage from that would be limited to the transfer case/center diff, NOT the transmission.

I think it's safe to say that we all agree with you 100% - but, I'm telling you, *some* dealers will do anything to get out of warranty work. Many of their excuses are ridiculous and completely untrue - yet, they still can get away with it. This is why I'm saying bring everything back to stock, unless you're prepared for a legal fight.

Again, your new wheels and springs in no way have caused the problems you're experiencing; but, don't be surprised if the dealer denies any warranty work because of those things. Some dealers WILL give you that BS about like... "altering the suspension geometry causing excess stress on the drivetrain, and your aftermarket rims have a different offset which causes more stress on the spindle, and subsequently more stress on the axles, which in turn is what is causing your tranny to overheat and ultimately fail. Oh, also, the increased width and diameter and difference in weight of your rims are putting extra stress on your springs and struts, along with your tie rods, which in turn is causing everything to be slightly out of alignment when under power, which is causing damage to your axles and transmission as well, and no we can't cover it because you modified it and it's your fault it broke."

We all know that the above is total BS. But, you'd better have some strong legal backup if you want to prove them wrong.

Again, not every dealer is like this, THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY AMONG DEALERS. Many are scumbags - namely, mine is. Lol. If I had known my dealer were a bunch of a**holes, I would have done all the work myself (which I did in the end anyway) and never have brought it to them in the first place.

I'm just trying to help Scott out, in hopes that he doesn't get screwed over. He might get lucky by having a cool dealership that's willing to fix everything under warranty despite having aftermarket rims and suspension (and I sincerely hope that's the case!) But, unless he knows that for sure, I personally don't think it's worth the risk - even with something as simple as aftermarket rims and springs.


Edit: clarity, grammar, and sentence structure.

 

[Scott Curry]

Agreed unfortunately, I don't have the stock wheels and tires. I may just have to take that risk that they don't try to connect those two together as a cause for what is happening.

 

[Toddasaurus]

Agreed unfortunately, I don't have the stock wheels and tires. I may just have to take that risk that they don't try to connect those two together as a cause for what is happening.

I totally understand. Hopefully they are reasonable and see passed the wheels. I got my fingers crossed that it all goes well! I feel for you after having been in a similar situation myself. Good luck, and let us know what happens.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

Again, your new wheels and springs in no way have caused the problems you're experiencing; but, don't be surprised if the dealer denies any warranty work because of those things. Some dealers WILL give you that BS about like... "altering the suspension geometry causing excess stress on the drivetrain, and your aftermarket rims have a different offset which causes more stress on the spindle, and subsequently more stress on the axles, which in turn is what is causing your tranny to overheat and ultimately fail. Oh, also, the increased width and diameter and difference in weight of your rims are putting extra stress on your springs and struts, along with your tie rods, which in turn is causing everything to be slightly out of alignment when under power, which is causing damage to your axles and transmission as well, and no we can't cover it because you modified it and it's your fault it broke."

We all know that the above is total BS. But, you'd better have some strong legal backup if you want to prove them wrong.

it's easy enough to fight; there is a wealth of information online, and it's easy enough to get a different or independent shop involved as an expert witness. Tires can affect some things, but if they're the same diameter, what they can affect (through incorrect offsets) is increased wheel bearing wear, and then you'd be able to follow it up with punitive damages after their argument is laughed out of court. I'd leave the suspension as-is and take it to the shop.

Edit: There are exceptions to this. One example is why I walked away from a WRX STI; a dealer-backed free lifetime warranty would have come with the car, but it required the car remain bone stock, and have a licensed dealer perform all maintenance no matter how trivial. That would be subject to voiding because in that kind of case you're then dealing with contract law to accept the lifetime warranty, and Magnuson-Moss does not apply. Since I plan to do the oil changes myself, and do plan to significantly modify the suspension and brakes of whatever performance car I buy... it was a no-go. For the Forester I accept that, but for a performance car... not so much.

 

[DiabloStinger]

If a dealer tells you springs caused a transmission issue, I'd be looking at a different dealer. While I'm not a huge proponent of aftermarket springs, many many dealers lower their brand new vehicles and sell them modified. Also, I've personally seen dozens of stingers in the showroom floor with 20s.

 

[CFLGT2AWDStinger]

Really? That easy? Did you have rims tires lowered anything like that else done on it?

Nope stock 19s

 

[Toddasaurus]

it's easy enough to fight; there is a wealth of information online, and it's easy enough to get a different or independent shop involved as an expert witness. Tires can affect some things, but if they're the same diameter, what they can affect (through incorrect offsets) is increased wheel bearing wear, and then you'd be able to follow it up with punitive damages after their argument is laughed out of court. I'd leave the suspension as-is and take it to the shop.

Well, evidently you are more versed in the law than I am! Probably more patient and levelheaded, too, when it comes to stressful situations like this.

Seriously. I get so pissed off when it comes to cars and dealers. Haha. I was getting all worked up just writing my post above and just thinking about my encounter with my dealer! Haha.

For me, those things are just too stressful and frustrating to negotiate via legal action. Personally, I see it as a factor that is beyond my control. You bring up really good points which may very well work - but there is still a chance that it wouldn't hold up. So instead, I personally prefer to avoid it at all costs, as it's not worth the time, money, and frustration. Instead, I find some peace and comfort in working on cars, so it would be more worthwhile for someone like me to just undo the mods myself, rather than take a potential legal risk.

 

[G70 Owner]

I don’t think having to go to court, waiting for a judgement all the while you have to pay out of pocket hoping to get reimbursement or not having a car for a while is considered easy. No matter if you win or not, going to court is never easy

 

[me&stinger]

One thing is for sure, you won't know what's going on, if any issues, until you go down to the dealership or mechanic. I'd do that first, and then you'll know what you're facing.

I hope things go well for you and that you have a better Stinger experience in the future.