wrong gearing from factory?

[drvon]

So I don't have the equipment to do a wheel spin check. (no jack stands, etc...) Feelinfroggy mentioned that there would be a rpm difference between the two ratio's, so how about this...

With a stock 4wd ranger / b4000 with a 5 speed manual trans, and 225/70R16 OWL tires @ 60 km/h approx 40 mi/h on a flat road, no incline in third I was at 2000 rpm, in forth @ 60 km/h approx 40 mi/h on a flat road, no incline I was at 1500 rpm.

Would this be more inclined with 4.10 gears or 3.73 gears?

I don't know if anyone can tell by this info just thought I would try. Thanks again for all the help. I'm thinking I might contact Mazda Canada as well, because part of me feels like the dealer was trying to brush me off...

 

[4x4junkie]

Your truck did not come with the jack that's standard equipment?

 

[drvon]

O yeah... So I just need to jack one tire off the ground and then rotate it. Where's the best place for the jack?

 

[pontiacfieroguy]

O yeah... So I just need to jack one tire off the ground and then rotate it. Where's the best place for the jack?

put the jack under the pumpkin on the rear end and jack both up

 

[adsm08]

That engine speed doesn't match either gear set, but it's closer to 3.73s.

With your conditions 3.73s should produce about 1800 RPM, and 4.10s should be just under 2000 RPM.

 

[4x4junkie]

No, jack up ONE side (put the jack under the axle tube between the spring bolts. IIRC where the manual says to).

Carefully mark the driveshaft and the nose of the axle with a Sharpie pen or similar, and then turn the wheel exactly TWO full rotations while counting how many turns the driveshaft makes (two turns is needed because of the differential rolling on the spider gears). 3¾ driveshaft turns is 3.73 gears and so on.

 

[drvon]

You guys rock! Unfortunately Mazda does not. Jacked up one side turned it 2 full rotations and only 3.75 rotations on the axle. What pisses me off the most was that the service manager tried to brush me aside, saying that he would have to take the diff cover off and count the teath and that he was not prepared to due so.

So what's my next move? Should I email the service manager and give him one more shot to correct it or go straight to Mazda Canada?

 

[adsm08]

I'd go back, but don't talk to the service manager. Talk to the SALES manager. Tell him what you told us. I'd be darn specific about what his salesman told you.

The thing here is this: The service manager doesn't really have much authority to do much about it. On top of that, he is somewhat conditioned, both by Ford's warranty division, and the general state of the industry, to defend himself and his techs at almost every turn. It's because they are getting attacked and accused at every turn.

The sales manager might have the authority to say "well, my guy told you it had this, so we'll make it right".

If they give you more trouble, get the shop foreman involved. He will know how to check to ratio without actually opening the diff.

 

[Shran]

What you need to do depends on how much you care... I would be pretty pissed. Not at the service techs though...they're not to blame. I'd go straight to the salesman who you worked with and politely demand an answer or compensation. He likely won't care, because he already has your money, so go above him if that's the case. I am really curious why your axle doesn't have a tag on it... I mean it's a 2010 for christs sake... I can't imagine why it would have been removed already.

 

[drvon]

So I'm giving the service manager one more shot, I have sent this email...

Hello Marc,

I have done some more research into this situation and I have just finished doing a test to confirm what gearing is in my rear axle. Here is what I did...

I jacked up the rear passenger tire, I then marked the tire and the drive shaft with some tape. I rotated the tire two full rotations (Two turns is needed because of the differential rolling on the spider gears). I then counted how many turns the drive shaft turned. It only turned roughly 3.75 times. It did not turn more than four times.

I now think there is more than a coding issue, as it seems that the wrong axle was installed. I know this is not your problem directly because you did not build the truck, but you are my avenue to Mazda Canada. Let me know what you think and I look forward to your response on this matter.

Sincerely,

Ryan Carlson


It's not only what the sales man said but it's all over there sales documents and on there website clear as day. I really like my truck, but I don't like being screwed especially when I have spent a lot of money in my mind. I'm only going to converse with the sales manager over email so that I have a written record. I would just like what I paid for that is all. Maybe I'm opening up a huge problem for Mazda Canada. Can you say a recall maybe coming in there future...

Thanks again for all your help, and I will keep you all posted.

 

[adsm08]

I doubt there will be a recall. If there is enough hoot and holler from enough people a class M FSA (customer satisfaction recall) but I doubt it.

 

[drvon]

Another question. Can the dealer just change the gearing in the rear end or do they have to replace the hole axle? As well the truck is four wheel drive, so does the front gearing change as well? I'm new to owning a truck, sorry for all the questions. I'm learning a lot though

 

[adsm08]

As long as you are learning. We all gotta start somewhere.

The gears can be changed without a total axle swap. Being that it is a 4x4, the front will need to match. If they don't stuff starts breaking.

 

[drvon]

Update

So a little update...

Talked to the service manager, and he seemed pretty annoyed that I didn't drop the issue. I explained that I had emailed and he replied with "I didn't get a email" I explained to him what I did and that I was going to push the issue still. He said that he would have to remove the axle cover and count the teeth to confirm the gearing. He also said that he never heard of rotating the wheel twice and counting the rotations of the drive shaft, and that the only way to confirm is by counting the teeth, so he "can prove it to me"

I have an appointment this friday so he can count away, as he doesn't seem to believe me at all.

So I looked online and I found that the ring / pinion tooth count is 41-11 for 3.73 gearing, and 41-10 for 4.10 gearing. Is this correct? I would like to know the numbers of teeth before I take my truck in, just in case he tries to bull shit me.

 

[pjtoledo]

just curious, is this a used, or new truck? if new, what does the window sticker say?