4044m NIGHTMARE!

[bigweights]

No bridges burned at all with dealer. I called 5 months ago when my rear axles started leaking. They said they will make an appointment in service. So then a month goes by not hearing anything so i call. they say they need a special tool to do rear axle seals, it should be here in a few days. Another month same thing, month after month. Its very frustrating on my end.

 

[ruffdog]

Well, good luck then....

 

[bigweights]

I just contacted GreenPartStore.com They said the tool is JDG17020 Oil seal driver for rear axle wont be available till Jan of 2021!!!

 

[JethroB]

I just contacted GreenPartStore.com They said the tool is JDG17020 Oil seal driver for rear axle wont be available till Jan of 2021!!!

Could your dealer borrow the tool from another dealer that has it? I understand that choice is not in your hands, but I might suggest it and offer to pay FedEx shipping. Sorry for your troubles.

 

[bigweights]

Now they are saying no dealer has the tool because they never had this issue

 

[Industrial Toys]

I hate to say it, but you can't "EVER" wait for a promised call. Nowadays, you have to be pro-active even if that means becoming a pain in the azz.

AND, another reason, I like dealing with small outfits and people. Heck, I have a friend, young guy, that makes tools and dies for doing stuff and fixing stuff all the time. But JD with their BILLIONS in resources has no facility to make a simply seal driver. SAD! Very SAD!

 

[Tx Jim]

Unless JD has drastically changed they've contract their special tools manufactured. 2 tool companies that come to mind are OTC & Nuday. There are probably other tool companies I'm unaware of.

 

[workinonit]

big, have your dealer check specifically with Sparrow and Kennedy in SC. They are a very large dealer with 12 to 15 branches and probably sell as many of this size tractor as any other dealer. I would say if they don't have something to drive the seal in, nobody does. Just as has been said, there are fab shops that can make a tool like that in a jiffy. Heck, might be able to make it yourself. I can't tell you how many pullers and drivers I've had to fab over the years.

 

[Tx Jim]

Ditto what workinonit stated. A seal driver should not be that difficult to fabricate especially if fabricated by a machine shop.

 

[Hilbilly]

If you do work on the tractor you will likely void the warranty, although it doesn't seem to be worth anything anyways. IMO the options are: 1) tell your dealer to get the special tool made and charge it back to JD, then do the work, 2) have the tool made and do the work yourself (possible loss of warranty though) or 3) get a lawyer involved.

I would get a lawyer involved, if you still have significant warranty left.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Then, the only one that wins is the Lawyer, as usual. I had a boss that sued people he thought had wronged him, constantly. He had it all figured out and mostly didn't use a lawyer. Just knew how to file the claims. Sometimes though, it only takes a letter from a lawyer to scare your adversary. Especiallly, if they know they are wrong.

 

[Hilbilly]

Then, the only one that wins is the Lawyer, as usual. I had a boss that sued people he thought had wronged him, constantly. He had it all figured out and mostly didn't use a lawyer. Just knew how to file the claims. Sometimes though, it only takes a letter from a lawyer to scare your adversary. Especiallly, if they know they are wrong.

Agreed, if you go to court! However a letter from a lawyers office to all the right places (as someone previously pointed out) could make all the difference in the world. That should not cost much and let them know you are serious.

Good luck.

 

[JethroB]

Posting the issue here on TBN might get someones attention. Bad press. It only takes one email within a large company to start being passed around, with CCs and CYAs, and someone gets on the ball. And things can then happen really fast. Heres hoping.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Actually, getting a "cheaply" sent threatening from a lawyer, probably only works if you already have an established lawyer.

 

[Citydude]

This waiting on a tool is absurd. The dealer needs to find a mechanic, get rid of the parts changers that he thinks are mechanics and quit following the corporate "job master" guide. I'd be embarrassed to be affiated with that outfit. What a joke.

 

[Industrial Toys]

This is only going to get worse. The little guys (that are actually capable) will simply not be able to function in the Big Corporate, broad-strokes for all, world.

 

[rademamj1]

Well the special tools used in this video to change rear axle seals on a L4300 Kubota tractor, are available at any NAPA store. This guy did his rear axle seal replacement in just 3 hours work. So why any John Deere dealer cannot do a rear axle seal replacement in over 5 months time is a big joke. I would like the OP to specifically name his dealer, so we can avoid in the future.

KUBOTA L4300 REAR AXLE SEAL REPLACEMENT - YouTube

 

[beenthere]

I would like the OP to specifically name his dealer, so we can avoid in the future.

Ha! You probably would avoid this one anyway.. being a non-Deere owner..

 

[bigweights]

Well today they came and got the 4044m. Dealership called this afternoon and said the tool was next day air shipped from some big dealer in the midwest. Said they will start working on it monday. Now we will see how long it takes to repair it. This will be my only deere i ever buy again!

 

[beowulf]

So sorry to hear of your situation - I would be equally furious.

First read the warranty documentation thoroughly - assuming their is no "gotcha" in there, then I would document what has happened so far - the fact that they cannot repair a tractor under warranty, the time you have not been able to use it, your losses, all of your contacts and their responses. I know you have written to them - so assuming this has been included. In that letter (and also in an email as that proves you sent it) you need to ask them for a loaner tractor until they can repair your tractor as a way to mitigate your losses and their damages, and point out the losses you will continue to have going forward. You can mention that if they will not provide a loaner you will have to rent a replacement tractor at $ XXX per month. I would also point out that it was your expectation that a tractor under warranty could be repaired by a dealer within a reasonable time period and that had you known such was not the case you would not have purchased the tractor.

Be matter of fact, thorough, but blunt enough to get their attention. Letter to dealer, copy to Deere. I would also ask if it is the policy of JD to sell products they cannot repair and if so, you will make that fact public in myriad ways. Demand that they reply within 5-10 days with their plan to remedy their problem. Be relentless. Document every response they make to you - whether on the phone or in person.

UPDATE: I see our posts crossed - guess I was typing when you responded with recent development. Good Luck.