Smokin' Tranny!

Stadler · 11-13-2009, 05:15 PM

I bought an '89 Wagoneer today. It was stuck in 4wd and the seller said it wouldn't shift out of first, so I had it towed to my house.

The tow truck driver lifted the vehicle by the rear and put it in neutral. About 1/2 mile from my house it started dripping smoking thin oil from the tranny case. The gear selector will now not move out of neutral and the Jeep will roll freely when pushed

Anybody know what happened?

semikrazy · 11-14-2009, 07:38 PM

Not good. If it was stuck in 4wd and it was towed with the front wheels on the ground and the rear wheels locked the clutchs in the t-case is fried. The tow truck driver owes you a t-case

Stadler · 11-14-2009, 08:38 PM

I've been doing some reading and keep getting a sinking feeling. I've never owned a Jeep before, so don't know the ins and outs of towing it. Shouldn't a tow truck driver know this kind of stuff?

**turtlerace** · 11-14-2009, 08:44 PM

Was going to be my usual smartass self and post a pic of a smoking transvestite, but the pictures I found scared the hell out of me. Don't google, I will sleep with the lights on tonight.

semikrazy · 11-14-2009, 09:40 PM

The tow truck driver should have known. I drove a tow truck for a few years and he should have dollied it. I would call up the tow company and let them know what happened. It is their fault and they need to stand up to it.

Stadler · 11-15-2009, 08:14 AM

It gets better. The driver dropped the Wagoneer in my driveway, hoped in the tow truck saying, "No, charge." and drove off!

semikrazy · 11-15-2009, 02:18 PM

sounds about right, he knew he messed up. Let the tow company know what happened and tell them they are resposible and they should tell you to take it to a shop and have it checked out. Play nice right now, you just want it fixed and let them make the choice of which shop to fix it. Legal you can choose which shop you take it to but you may end up with the bill untill the towing company pays. Also check with the Public Service Commission, or whoever regulates the towing companies in your state and speak with them if the tow company gives you any grief. Towing is highly regulated and they have to pay big money for a permit to tow. And in most states he can not tow for free unless his shop works on and charges you for repair work. Did he even give you the recipt? Sounds like he broke a few rules.

semikrazy · 11-15-2009, 02:23 PM

Also the shop needs to check both front and rear diffs, transmission, and t-case and are responsible to repair any one or all that has damage to it. That driver messed up big time, he should have known never tow a 4x4 like that.

Stadler · 11-15-2009, 04:04 PM

No, no receipt. He pretty much hightailed out. I'm already imagining this not being an easy process, but I'll hold out a little hope.

Semikrazy: thanks a ton to the advice. I guess by now I should expect this kind of stuff, but it still catches me off-guard. You ever listen to Junior. Brown?