The CJ3A Page CJ3B.info

Author Topic: Defective rear seals  (Read 2404 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline jamesr

  • Willys Guru
  • ****
  • Posts: 343
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • If it's not broke, it's not used.
    • View Profile
Defective rear seals
« on: March 01, 2011, 10:08:52 AM »
Has anyone on this site, or on the 2A or G site ever had success at filing a labor claim against Victor/FelPro or Fed. Mogul for the defective rear seals problem?  Know of anyone?  Jim
Home of the 4-wheel drive chicken coup.

Offline Carls_jeep

  • Flatfender Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1746
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • ...
    • View Profile
Re: Defective rear seals
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2011, 12:04:02 PM »
That's a good question but I think since there is such a variation in the dimensions of the recess in the blocks and the diameter of the crank seal area they can claim no fault of theirs. I think they would claim it's the users responsibility to determine usability.  

Offline mud pie

  • Flatfender Enthusiast
  • ***
  • Posts: 143
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Once a Marine....
    • View Profile
Re: Defective rear seals
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2011, 03:44:11 PM »
I agree, it would be an uphill battle. It's not like these engines are a couple years old; they'd have a billion defenses...variations in old engine castings, qualifications of the installer, how it was installed, etc.. I'd bet the first thing they'd respond with would be, "we used original specs".

I know you didn't ask what we thought, just if someone filed....
1953 CJ-3A

Offline Doug

  • Flatfender Enthusiast
  • ***
  • Posts: 106
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Defective rear seals
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2011, 10:38:26 AM »
Hate to throw cold water on the idea of pursuing them, but in addition to the things that the other folks mentioned like difficulty of proof, variables in installation etc,.    Even if you were somehow to succeed, their is probably fine print in their warranty that states that even if they are liable, their damages are limited to the cost of the parts sold.  They almost assuredly limit their liability for labor, incidental and consequential damages.  

By the way, as a side note, the last couple gasket kits I bought from felpro contained only the rope seal.   I had to buy the rubber from a separate supplier.  So apparently, felpro is being proactive to avoid further future claims  by getting out of supplying the seals.  

If I were you, I would forget about the suing idea, and would instead call fel pro and see if they would work something out with you.   You never know sometimes a company will help you out.    Especially if they recognize they had a problem (why else would they quit selling the seals).    Good Luck.  Doug

Offline jamesr

  • Willys Guru
  • ****
  • Posts: 343
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • If it's not broke, it's not used.
    • View Profile
Re: Defective rear seals
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2011, 07:41:37 PM »
I did call the factory and they want me to obtain a "request for analisis" form from the supplier, fill it out, send it with the parts and let their engineerss analize them for a determination of fault, and a claim for labor.  Yea, and I can hear that conversation in the engineers lunchroom.  Prior to sending them in (and never seeing them again) I am having them analized independently.  I was told that they pulled the seals in late 90's, but that they were put back in kits in the last couple of years.  My new gasket kit did not have neoprene seals, only rope seals.  I am just glad that the Willys is purring like a kitten again (for the last 2 tanks of gas), and I'm confident enough in it to 4 wheel the washes, and desert again. Thanks for the comments, I appreciate them all, and I will keep you posted if anything new develops.  Jim
Home of the 4-wheel drive chicken coup.