First day with the Talon and somethings up!

[bluelightning92]

I bought a 97 TSI AWD manual, and had to drive it home 450 miles. The whole trip went great, except when I got about a mile from my house. ( figures ) I was driving about 40 mph and not accelerating hard or anything, just normal driving. it started making this really loud noise. As soon as i heard it, i thought it was the engine, so i shut it off, still going 40mph. Well, as im coasting at 40mph still with the engine off, the noise did not go away. The only way I can describe it is kind of like a "GRRR" sound, but doesn't sound like things are grinding or anything, but just a loud noise. As soon as i coast to a stop, it stops. Well, i start it back up, start to drive, and everything is fine until about a block later, same noise again. It doesn't happen at a certian RPM or MPH. I am GUESSING the transfer case, since i don't think the recal has ever been done, but it doesnt feel like its locking up, grinding, or putting stress on the wheels. Anyone got an idea?

What a way to spend my first day with my new DSM :thumbdown

 

[ben90tsi]

Is the grinding coming from the front or rear?

 

[dicion]

If it's coming from the transfer case, STOP, and get it taken to a dealer...

Lifetime Recall Replacement on those TC's mmmmmmm

What happpens is, they can leak, and at worst, sieze. There's a recall out for em, and you can get it inspected/repaierd/replaced for free, and from what I understand, for the lifetime of the vehicle...

See here:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19280

If it's NOT the transfer case... check the brakes, and everything else that still moves when the car's not running, but still rolling (cv's etc)

 

[blMuskrat]

sounds like a bad CV joint, get under the car and check out the boots on the half-shafts. if their torn, you can either service the CV joint, or replace the half-shaft...

 

[Defiant]

I'm with the transfer case. Geweke Chrysler in Lodi did mine last March(?) and picked up every cent. The service manager apparently had to do a bit of talking to get the regional rep to go for it, but he got it done.

 

[bluelightning92]

Found out today it was the transfer case, plus both of the wheel hubs on the right side are shot. My father-in-law is a mechanic at a chysler center and talked to the manager. He said that it was done once already, back in '99. But from my understanding is that this can be done as many times as it needs to be done, so how to i go about pushing the subject so it gets done?

 

[dicion]

all the details are here:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19280

 

[bluelightning92]

well i checked that recall post and read the whole 4 pages twice through already. What I can't figure out is wether or not the recall is for life? i called the NHTSA and she said it only had to be done once, but other people on this site have had it done 3-4 times. Where can i find actuall proof that it is a lifetime recall?

 

[dicion]

Because of the wording of the recall, transfer cases are not automatically replaced. All the crying and bitching in the world won't change that. However, the transfer case and yoke are warrantied for the life of the car. This is because the recall is a safety recall. Future leaks will be covered under the terms of the recall notice. These terms are not within the discretion of either the dealer or the manufacturer - thus spake the NHTSA, and so mote it be. Do not be afraid to stand up for your rights on this crucial point.

Owners who do not get decent service should do the following:
phone the Mitsu/Chryco and NHTSA telephone numbers, listed on your recall notice, to report the difficulty.
Have them intervene on your behalf with the dealer. Dealers and Mitsu/Chryco do not have the power to deny you in this matter. Remember that the NHTSA does not have to guarantee you a replacement t-case!
contact Todd Hayashi regarding your bad experience - he is putting together a list of people who have had problems with the recall. Include your name, your car (year/make/model) and the name and address of the dealership with whom you had problems.
The phone number for Mitsubishi is 1-800-222-0037, for Chrysler it is 1-800-521-2777 (or perhaps 1-800-992-1997). Canadians phone Chrysler Canada at 1-800-465-2001. The NHTSA is at 1-888-327-4236. (Note: Troy Davis reports that one of these numbers may have changed to 1-800-853-1403.)

The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 98V168000

Call the NHTSA back, give them that number, and confirm that it is a 'safety' recall. If they say 'yes it is' and they should, because it is, then it is a lifetime, unlimited replacement recall.

The actual proof, is in the recall notice itself. But i'm guessing you dont have one of those. Neither do I. I'll look for a copy online..