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Topic: Allison Transmission Failure (Read 2249 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #25 –
I'd likely be in your camp ... 11K gets me an Allison factory unit,  gets me out of Nac, and down the road so I can enjoy life and the company of friends then that's what I'd do.  For some of us there is also the cost of can't use the coach but the bank still wants payments plus insurance, that can be a couple of coach bucks a month on top of any repair costs.

I would like having that full 3 year warranty that is good nationwide more then a limited local shop warranty.  With the right shop, right mechanic and you can get a great rebuild, but these days those are Vegas odds.  You can still get the old unit rebuilt and sell it to recoup some expenses as well.

Don't let the naysayers get to you, being cranky to others makes them happy :P Get it fixed and go burn some diesel.
Current: 09' Phenix
Previous: 04' U320

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #26 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
Sad to say, just goober mechanics being employed to be swappers, cause techs cost too much, and can't match the revenue generated by the swappers.

Sad but true.  These transmissions are not that complex.  I rebuilt a 13 speed road ranger with a broken mainshaft with parts from Chalks truck parts in Houston and a good manual.  Never had a single problem with it even after years of hard off road usage. 

If you want to see what they look like inside here is a great writeup from a guy who rebuilt his own.  Allison md3060 rebuild! - iRV2 Forums



"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
Sad but true.  These transmissions are not that complex.

But they are complex enough that I wouldn't blindly trust a shop with no intimate operation/repair knowledge of the allison to diagnose it.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #28 –
Quote from: krush –
But they are complex enough that I wouldn't blindly trust a shop with no intimate operation/repair knowledge of the allison to diagnose it.

Absolutely.  Of course if you're stuck in b.f.e., finding a qualified allison shop close enough could be tough.  It might, given a coach net tow policy, be possible to make a case that per the terms of the tow policy (nearest qualified dealer), the only qualified service would be an allison shop.  I'd sure try.  When in the shop, given the extensive diagnostic links for these units, I'd insist on knowing exactly what the issue is, not just "it's shot."
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #29 –
Continious trans heating would seem to point to a  non locking torque converter.

Not a Allison expert. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #30 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
Absolutely.  Of course if you're stuck in b.f.e., finding a qualified allison shop close enough could be tough.  It might, given a coach net tow policy, be possible to make a case that per the terms of the tow policy (nearest qualified dealer), the only qualified service would be an allison shop.

My understanding is the original poster drove his RV in under its own power.

This whole ordeal is like me going to my primary care physician and saying, "Hey, I feel dizzy sometimes when I walk up steps."
And he replies, "Sounds like you need a new heart. I'll put you on the transplant list." (primary care knows some stuff, but isn't qualified to make that call)
1998 U270 34'

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #31 –
After speaking with Bernt, I walked away feeling like he could pull new fuel lines, do an oil change, even transynd change with minimal supervision. But I would NOT trust that place to diagnose a transmission issue. Especially when qualified, Allison approved shops are plentiful. I would trust noone else to diagnose my Allison or do surgery on it beyond basic maintenance/upkeep.
95 U300SE

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #32 –
Don't be afraid of transmission shops that look on their last legs. We blew one and the only one we could limp to looked like something out of "Grapes of Wrath". Turned out to be a father & son team, shop had been there forever, parts all over the place.
They did an inspection, drove it and confirmed I was toast. O.K., now what? They said they had 30 amps, bathrooms, a bar across the street, Safeway close and their daughter took the DW to the laundry. He said they could get a re-built out of Salt Lake the next day, fine. He then looked at me, in THAT WAY, and said, "I could also build you a 'bad boy'. Hmm, junkyard city, but something was right about these people, I agreed. The next day, they'd pulled the trans and had it apart, I thought I'd stumbled into the shop from hell, parts everywhere! Took about a week, Re-installed, worked better than the original, in spades! My kind of family shop!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #33 –
Reminds me of an issue I had with my 3/4 ton GMC. I was at a reputable facility s and was told my transmission fluid was "silvery" in appearance and indicated excessive wear and should be addressed. Yes it was an Allison transmission no it was not an Allison dealer but I listened and had the thing rebuilt them replaced (long story). Turns out there was nothing serious wrong with my transmission and it seems the "silvery" stuff sorta "disappeared" and was kinda normal after some discussion AFTER the replacement. Allison dealer best to diagnose an Allison transmission issue. When I had an issue with the Allison in our coach I had the coach towed to an Allison dealer for diagnosis and repair, they rebuilt it (another long story).

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #34 –
Caflashbob may have a good point. Did you notice if the torque looked up.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #35 –
I don't know if they do it with the 3000 series allisons but the larger ones from Allison and some of their certified rebuilders are actually run on a dyno before they are shipped. That's good insurance for the buyer.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #36 –
Update:  Just completed about 1500 miles with new trans. All good. Other repair/maintenance items I had taken care of include servicing brakes, new air bags and shocks, new house batteries, new inverter/charger, replaced old style fuel separator/filter and remove, clean and reassemble radiator and new seals on fan motors. I am very pleased with the service and price (parts and labor) that I received while at World Line Motors. The mechanics are friendly, knowledgeable and hard working. Pricing very reasonable and competitive.  This was my first experience ait World Line Motors and Bernd Ramspect has earned a place on my list of prefered shops.
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #37 –
What were the findings once they tore down the transmission to inspect and repair?
1998 U270 34'

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #38 –
Quote from: krush –
What were the findings once they tore down the transmission to inspect and repair?
When you get an exchange, you don't get details about your trans.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #39 –
As far as I'm concerned, I'd appreciate, on some of these "horror stories", the mileage when the Allison went south, the reason for the breakdown, AND, without mentioning the shop: "How Much Costa?"  ???
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #40 –
Hey Bill!
 Good to hear that you are back to turning dead dinosaurs into smoke & noise!
We just gotta do Butcher Boys again..
be safe my friend..
red
'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel

Re: Allison Transmission Failure

Reply #41 –
Krush, the Allison shop in Lufkin did some analysis on the transmission. This is what I was told.
Trans oil pan was not original. Replaced prior to 2009.
Brass bushing in upper part of trans was source of particles found in trans oil.  Speculation was that it was heat related damage.
I speculate that the previous owner may have hit road debris damaging the pan and loosing fluid. Maybe towed to a shop that replaced pan, filled with fluid and sent him down the road. Maybe the bushing was damaged and it took a while for the damage to affect performance...lucky me.
At least that's what I'm thinking...not that it really matters. I'm just glad to be burning up those old dinosaurs!  And Sadlesore, I'll burn a bone or two to meet you at Butcher Boys anytime!
Mike, mileage was just under 90k.  Cause was brass bushing coming apart. Cost of Allison remanufactured trans was just under 11k. I don't recall right now the labor charge for the trans but checked two Allison shops and one independent and charge at World Line Motors was competitive.
All's well that ends well.
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4