Fed Ex broke my new Tranny

I ordered a rebuilt T-14 tranny from Herm the overdrive guy a while back. I got it in late Friday night and when I opened the box on Saturday morning, this is what I found. (see link below) Apparently, one of the fed-ex guys was trying to reinact the opening scene from Ace Ventura, "the HDS delivery Man."(If anybody remembers that) Needless to say, I was not happy. They must have literally dropped it off a truck to do this. Of course, it was packed in simple cardboard box stuffed with loose paper and cardboard. I picked it up from the warehouse and Fed-Ex was closing so they were in a hurry to leave. I signed their pda thing as I was trying to pick up the box and didn't even occur to me to completelty unpack it to check for damage.

I talked to Herm and he was very professional about the whole thing. We came to an agreement and I am happy with the solution. All the gears inside looked great and he did a good job building the tranny. I would buy from his again.

Anyway, there's nothing I can do with Fed-Ex now. Let this be a word of caution to anyone ordering trannys, or T/C's or engines by mail. OPEN THE PACKAGING AND INSPECT IT COMPLETELY BEFORE YOU SIGN. Dont let them rush you or you will end up like me

Technical question ----> Has anyone ever welded a piece like this back together and it held up? If not, I am just going to gut the new one and put it back in my old case. That tab does not have a mounting bolt, but it does support the weight of the tranny and transfer case.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35486436@N06/3442463948/

 

I think it can be brazed, or maybe even stick welded, but the case is probably not worth it. For welding or brazing, you might have to gut the case anyway to preheat it - somebody here will know better.

Are you sure you are SOL with FedEx? Just because you signed for the package does not mean there cannot be hidden damage. Usually if you have the damaged merchandise and the original packaging, and you file a claim promptly, you should be ok.

 

i do believe that can be brazed without dismanteling the tranny may want to put some oil in there before hand to help keep things inside cool. question? is there enough left to make a plate and bolt to it? that may be a better option

 

There is nothing in the transmission that the heat from preheating could hurt. None of the metal parts will be hurt and you only have the front seal and heck the neoprene is made to take 200* or more, I doubt that you can get it that hot heating it with a torch (being reasonable) to preheat the ear and the area around the repair. You only need to get the case around 400*, that temp will not hurt he temper on the bearings or gears. The brass syncro's will dissipate heat quick so you won't get them that hot.

 

hey guys- i have been dealing with shippers for a long time & this is what i learned- lots of shippers are SELF INSURED- that means THEY decide what the value of your item is worth if it damaged. they will want to know if the item was NEW or USED- i had an exhaust manifold broken on a 350 cummins shipped from Louisville KY- i bought one & installed it-$250 +$40 bolt kit + 2 hrs labor & the shipper wanted to know how much it WEIGHED! WHAT THE #@$*! WELL LIKE AN IDIOT I WEIGHED IT & CALLED HIM BACK & TOLD HIM- TURNS OUT THEY VALUE PARTS BY THE POUND! I couldn't believe it! long story short they sent me $40! so before you have it shipped find out about damage claims- ups self insures to $100- anything after that is on you- when i ship my computer usps back & forth to afghanistan i buy $2000 insurance- so far in 3 trips i had good luck. buyer beware!
andy

 

I don't accept any package without inspecting it. If there is the slightest amount of damage to the outside of the package I open it and inspect it. I have had delivery drivers raise hell because I wouldn't just sign for a package. But in my experience they are all rough on packages. If there is only minor damage on outside I write "may be damaged" on the slip. If they won't let me make notes on slip I won't accept the package. I have had a similiar experience with UPS with damaged boxes that an employee of mine signed for - I fought with UPS for months over the damage - with UPS blaming it on the shipper (poor packaging) and the shipper blaming UPS. There was several thousand dollars in damage (computerized equipment) and since then I insist on signing for and inspecting all packages personally. Bottom line is you cannot trust any shipping company when it comes to damages.

 

Some of the blame belongs on the person that packaged it up in a cardboard box and newspaper...

Not the packaging expert but heavy items should be attached to a some sort of wooden protection.

In fact the idustry standard is a returnable fancy plastic crate for transmissions.

 

was it FEDEX express, ground or home delivery. I worked for ground and home delivery. these companys are contracted to any shmuck. some are good some are bad. it all depends on what they pay the package handlers.I got packages everyday that had practically no box left just a handful of crumbs. I put it in a box and advised the customer to refuse it immediately.then they did not have to pay for it.

 

oh yah I forgot ups is more expensive but they are much more respectful.

 

I really didn't want to push the issue, because someone said it right before. I know if it got down to it, FedEx would have blamed it on the packaging. I would not have packaged the tranny the way he did. Even in a cardboard box, it should not have been broken, but then again, the world is full of incompetent people. I would have put it in a light wood crate if nothing else. I got part of my deposit back, so I might just swap gears.

 

Herm has always packaged stuff well for me. And as to UPS being better that's a load of bull. I've had so many things damaged by UPS I swear they chuck them off the truck. I don't use them anymore. Always check the package! And yes the drivers are always in a hurry and complain. That really sucks on the tranny.

 

Yea agree, that is a tough one, not only that but on the box there is a circle that states what it can handle if the contents weigh more than the box can handle that can be bad as well..... ups and fed ex are both not the best on packages, Used to load air freight on planes,,,,,,, what a rush on getting it out on time ( still took care in my packages)

noting possible internal damage can help the claim, but you still may be able to claim......

hope all turns out well.....

 

I bought my sm420 from Herm and it was packaged very professionally.

It was a cardboard box but very thick double layers with those big staples,strong.
Also had shot in foam.
Was very pleased

 

Also, ups has a weight limit. They would not take a tranny.

I have had a couple customers go out of business due to shipping issues. I think if I were to ship a tranny (I do ship heavy stuff on occasion) I would charge 20 bucks and build a quick shipping crate based on a cut down pallet. A box on top would fine.

I assume shippers are the devil and will tear up stuff just for fun.

 

I remember from working with a master welder that cast iron can be welded by first preheating it (red hot) and using a special welding rod. I think it was a high carbon rod. He used to weld broken manhole covers. While welding the cast iron I helped with the torch keeping the iron red hot.
Also check this link: http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/articles/content/castironpreheat.asp

 

Thanks flyingyoki

On the packaging note: When I picked it up to open the box on Saturday the tranny had shifted to where it rested only on the outside layer of the box. I didn't really notice it when I picked it up. I am sure when it left Herm's place, there were multiple layers around case, but it didn't end up that way. I guess Juggling a box can do that.

Also, I am not sure who all handled it because it had UPS tape on it, some DHL paperwork, and a FedEx tracking number

 

I just shipped a t-90 to Texas via UPS.