Any guesses to what DAS auto shippers wrecked before I have a good look?

[brads70]

Hi All,
I just got my 70 Challenger from CA. I made the mistake of using DAS auto shippers!
They took 5 weeks to deliver it. Kept phoning upping the price after they picked up my car! When it got to Michigan the e-mailed and told me it was inoperable!!! But wouldn't say what! Just wanted an extra $260. Like what am I going to do say no???
So I pick up the car at a customs bond shed and what do ya know the right rear is covered in rubber chunks and the drive shaft is hanging ! Keep in mind this is a 440 shipped with open headers. Engine has less than 5000 miles on it tranny (727) about 150 miles on it the seller said. The car drove just fine when they picked it up!

So I trailer it home. After sitting for 12 hours I push it out of the garage to try and start it for the first time. Seems they ran it completely out of Gas as well It had 1/4 tank when picked up! And they left the key in the on position and drained the battery too. Thanks!
That's when I notice a 12" puddle of tranny fluid under it! Engine runs fine started right up when I added some fuel. Tranny  fluid is all foamy on the dip stick! I'm so pissed off I just push it back in the garage! Today I bought a few quarts of tranny fluid and a new u-joint, just thought for fun I'd let you guess on the carnage before I jack it up and look!

I'm sure a company as reputable as DAS wouldn't have an employee that jumped in a 440 mopar muscle car and did a few burn outs before he had to put in on the trailer? Nah couldn't be you say!! Nah!! I'm sure it used 1/4 tank of gas just getting it on a trailer? Oh sure that could happen!
I'm sure they wouldn't wreck someones car abusing it, break it then have the balls to nail you for another $260 because they broke it? Nah couldn't be! Not DAS auto shippers Nah couldn't, be not them after all E-bay recommends them!! Nah must be just me!!
Then I notice a nice freshly damaged front lower valance. NAH again I'm sure DAS wouldn't have done that???Nah!!
I'm sure a reputable company such as DAS would have the honour and integrity to come good for it?? We'll see , stay tuned sports fans they sent me a claim form with lots of fine print!! I have my doubts after the screwing they have put to me this far......
Any guess to what the tranny leak is???

[73Chally]

Does the seller have pics before it was picked up?  If it was driven on to the trailer when it was picked up, and you received it in a non operable condition, then you have a very strong case.  You need to give them a call with all the details, and start talking about a lawsuit.  Also, since it is across borders, there might be more involved that you can nail them on.  I wouldn't even think about it.  You need to jump all over this, because the longer you wait, the weaker your case will be.

[brads70]

Does the seller have pics before it was picked up?  If it was driven on to the trailer when it was picked up, and you received it in a non operable condition, then you have a very strong case.  You need to give them a call with all the details, and start talking about a lawsuit.  Also, since it is across borders, there might be more involved that you can nail them on.  I wouldn't even think about it.  You need to jump all over this, because the longer you wait, the weaker your case will be.

I have a inspection report from when they picked up the car in Ca this was not mentioned! They (DAS) record every scratch, chip, even rust on the lug nuts! The seller is really pissed at DAS as well, he said if he could help to call him!
Yes It was driven on the carrier in CA.  They even screwed with the B&M shifter as it won't go into park, seller says it was working perfect when it left, Proof is they did drive it on!
 I'm new to this ,what do you mean about "since it is across borders..." I'm no lawyer.LOL I don't have much use/faith in lawyers, I'm guessing it would be cheaper to just lump it?
They want me to get estimate on the damage? How do I do that? I can't drive the car? Even if I could ,how does one give an estimate with out tearing things apart? Maybe the rear end is damaged maybe it's just a u-joint? Tranny? I bought a new u-joint today so I'll change it and see I guess? I'll post anything new!

[72hemi]

I would call a couple body shops and mechanics and see if they could send somebody out, but you will probably have to tow it to the shops to get estimates. That really sucks that they did that to your car.

[ntstlgl1970]

If I had to guess, since the driveshaft was "hanging" and rubber was on the fender. Someone between CA and where you are took it off the trailer (or it was on the trailer, who knows??) decided to burn the tires off and broke the diff or u-joint. Biggest issue besides what you already noted is that if the u-joint broke "during" the burn out contest, it could damage the trans internally (search for low roller clutch or one way roller clutch damage on here or moparts.com). Only way to know for sure is to remove the trans and tear it down. The low roller clutch is the first thing to go in the case and the last thing to come out.
I'll leave the law part to someone else. I'd be really concerned about the trans on top of what you have seen already.

[boydsdodge]

I am really sorry to here about your problems, from my searching for a shipper in the past I heard a lot of bad things about DAS, I would get on that claim as soon as possible.
As for what to claim, Tires, front vallance repair or replace, driveshaft, the shipping fees, etc...
Take lots of pics before you do anything, did you take pics in Michigan?
Get as much info in writing from the seller make copies of everything even the original ad that you bought the car from.

[wally426ci]

It would have to be a nuetral drop to destroy a U joint, wouldnt it?? this sucks. 

[73Chally]

As far as what I said about across the border, it is kind of a stab in the dark, but I know in the states that when crimes occur and you cross state lines, it can become a federal thing versus local.  The fact that it's obvious they tore it up could be construed as a criminal act.  I would have it towed to a local shop and have them do up an estimate based on all the problems.  It sounds like for sure it will need a trans rebuild.  Do not do any work on it yourself until a shop documents all the damage.  Do you have the pickup sheet where they noted the condition from the seller?  If so, that is your holy grail.  Have you spoke with DAS, yet?  When it was delivered, were you there to physically inspect it and to cross-check it with the pickup sheet.  My brother-in-law shipped his Charger to me with DAS, and when I picked it up at their local depot, they walked around the car with me and verified every scratch and nick that was documented when they picked it up.  Unfortunately you might have gotten stuck with a subcontractor since it was shipped to Canada.  Regardless, you should have them by the short hairs, and track every expense you incur, including a tow and the extra charge after pickup for the car being non drivable.

[fantum]

I would check the driveshaft.  I lost a u-joint once, and when the driveshaft hit the ground it knocked it out of balance.  An out-of-balance driveshaft can do a lot of damage to your drivetrain (please don't ask how I learned that lesson at the ripe old age of 19   ).

[resq302]

As everyone else here said, document, document, and DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!!!!!  I can't stress that enough.  Pictures galore.  Have it towed to a trans shop and let them look at it.  Have them go through everything even if it is internally.  Be sure to have the drive shaft checked also, they could have slightly twisted it or bent it even that your eye can not see.

Also, as against lawyers as I am, I would strongly check into one.  If you need a good automotive claim lawyer, send me a PM, I have a friend of mine in PA specializes in auto fraud with collector cars.  Things such as claiming a hemi is original to the car when it has been swapped or VIN fraud and such.

Oh and as for my guess..... cracked tranny case possibly?

[BIGSHCLUNK]

What a bunch of crap! I really hope you can get some satisfaction from all this, but I'd bet the games are just begining.  I had a 18 wheeler back into me once years ago without any witnesses - the bull$#it meter was pegged in the red zone!!

[4Cruizn]

WOW sad story . . . I would be really pissed.   

[tactransman]

If the driveshaft is ripped out of it and the transmission is leaking (bad enough to where it won't move now) I would say they cracked the case or extension housing when the shaft came apart. Like ntstlgl1970 said,might have rolled over the roller clutch (sprag) as well. If it does not move in "D" or "2" but does in manual low,they ripped the sprag out.


Here is a thread with some info on the sprag.

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=27252.0

[tactransman]

More info:
http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/drivetrain/mopp_0901_transmission_drivetrain_breakage/index.html

[73EStroker]

"DAS recommended by EBay" I hate EBay, Paypal and any other entity associated with them. I will not deal with them. Also - remember (especially out of US buyers, in particular Canadians) a plane fare is cheap insurance to go to the US and look and watch your car being loaded. Personally, if I had to drive to Texas and put a car on a hauler and haul it myself I would. This is just the right thing to do especially with cars that one cannot get parts easily for.

Sorry to hear about your plight - but others please take heed.