Pinion Nut falls off

[trlblzr92404]

I recently had my rear end rebuild at a mechanic. I drove my tahoe for about 3 weeks and then went on a trip to the Bridgeport CA area which was about 500 miles from where I live.
I was coming off of hwy 108 when I was letting the compression slow me down I would hear a loud grinding noise. I pulled over and looked at it and notice that there was a leak at the pinion shaft.
I limped back to where I was camping and got some oil and checked everything and didn't notice that the pinion nut had came loose.
I continued to drive home and made it about 400 miles... While I was pulling into a mini mart to check the oil in the diff. I made a stop put it into reverse and then put it into drive and BANG... the pinion nut washer and shaft fell onto the ground Bamm wasn't going any ehre from there. Ended up towing it the last 100 miles to the shop.
I get it there and they are amazed it happened... I tell them my story and they end up only replacing the pinion bearings and seal ???
Now I have a what sounds like a few teeth that are messed up. I can hear them at slow speed making a turn ... it makes a sound like wha whaa wha kinda like a whoople.
I'm not sure what to do now.... being it feels like my mechanic isn't taking the responibilty to do the job right.
I feel that the ring and pinion where damaged on my drive home being they did not do the installation correctly...
Am I wrong for feeling this way.
Should have they replaced the ring and pinion on this ???
I think there was damage being the pinion nut feel off and resulting damage to the bearing the crush sleeve and resulting in iregular wear on the ring gear from the pinion floating...
Now I'm waiting for the weekend to end so I can take it back and see if they will fix it right...
Hopefully I won't have to go to the legal side and SUE the bastards at Pride automotive in San Bernardino... just makes me mad
Any Advice out there ????
this is the first time I have ever posted for anything on my 1998 4x4 LS Tahoe...
Thanks in advance...

 

[johnebgoode]

OK.......first of all the mechanic should accept all responsibility and liabilty involved since he just finished working on rear. From what you're explaining the ring gear and pinion are probably damaged. You should try to be present when they open up the rear to see what comes out so there's no BS as to what happened or what's needed. If any metal is noticed in gear fluid then I would insist on new bearings again. Make sure they thoroughly clean the posi or limited slip unit so their isnt any metal residue left in it. Axles should be pulled out entirely and the tubes checked for metal and cleaned accordingly.
A car rental shouldn't be an issue, (but that may be pushing it a bit). If they're a stand up outfit you shouldnt run into any bumps in the road for this screw up on their part.
Goodluck and once your finished with them stay away........!!

 

[trlblzr92404]

Thanks for the heads up and the reply...
Well They still have it... They told me that there wasn't and metal in the oil and they also checked with a magnet and nothing...
They said they wanted to drive it some more and keep it over night ??? evreything looked good ?
I'm supposed to call them tomorrow and find out till then just stuck waiting...
so far they are doing the so-called right thing but kinda get the feeling they are lieing to me time will tell...
I hate to pay for something top dollar like the detorit trutrac I had put in it had enough problems with g80 diff...
anyways thanks for the advice any more is surely welcomed.

 

[trlblzr92404]

well I'm not sure my story has ended but I did pick my vechile up this morning and they stated that nothing looked bad enough to tear it apart again... that if it needs a pinion and ring gear in the future that they will get me it... I just hope that this will be all it needs if when it does start to go... can't afford a new diff and case if it does go... what things should I look for... leaks, noises , etc ??? to hear if this does go ring gear and pinion... the fun begins...

 

[fco_gonzo]

sorry to hear what happen to your tahoe. You should hold the shop responsible for their work. Hopefully they will do the right thing. I have heard that when you do replace the ring and pionion that there is some whining that comes from the rearend. I've never expereinced my self. I live in a "small" town (35,000 pop.) and there are very few place where you can actually get stuff done correctly and honestly. It so hard to find a place you can trust now a days.

good luck with your repairs and keep us posted.

 

[strangeengine]

well I'm not sure my story has ended but I did pick my vechile up this morning and they stated that nothing looked bad enough to tear it apart again... that if it needs a pinion and ring gear in the future that they will get me it...

Get that IN WRITING!

 

[johnebgoode]

I have heard that when you do replace the ring and pionion that there is some whining that comes from the rearend. I've never expereinced my self.

The only time anyone should hear a whine is when backlash is set incorrectly....

 

[Black Dog]

The only time anyone should hear a whine is when backlash is set incorrectly....

That's right, it only happens if they don't shim it up right.