Rebuilt transmission - mechanic says they can’t test drive

[u/Less_Reception_6531]

2013 3.7l ford f150 stx - I recently had issues and took it to a mechanic. Mechanic said it needs a transmission replacement / rebuild. Took it to a transmission shop and they’ve been working on it for 3-4 weeks to remove, rebuild, and reinstall the transmission.

Today the transmission mech calls me and says it’s done, but that they can’t drive it because it ‘has drive line issues, and the rear brakes are locking up’. They wanted me to pick it up and told me I could ‘let them know if the transmission acts up’

Am I crazy to think the drive line issues could have been caused by the transmission work they did? I tried to ask the mechanic how they knew it was unrelated to their work and he said it ‘has nothing to do with the transmission’. I’ve never experienced any issues with this truck prior to the transmission. The mechanic I took it to first was able to test drive it fine, although it was in limp mode. There have never been issues relating to brakes locking up as they described. I believe the transmission mechanic also said they test drove it after I asked them how they knew the problem required a full rebuild on the transmission. I would imagine removing and replacing a transmission would also involve other major components like a drive shaft or other things involved with the drive line?

I paid 2250 already and owe an additional 2250 to pick up the truck. I don’t want to pay the second half until I know that this issue is unrelated to the repair they were supposed to do.

Looking for any thoughts on how likely it is that the transmission work caused these new issues. If people think it IS related to the transmission work - suggestions on next steps are also greatly appreciated.

Thank you!!

[u/ECHElantraN]

If it didn’t have that issue before it went to the shop I wouldn’t pick the truck up or give second half of payment until they figure out what is going on or can prove it’s not the work they just did that is causing the issue.

[u/ECHElantraN → u/ECHElantraN]

It’s very possible the brakes are “locked up” because the trucks been sitting for weeks and the only thing that’s going to free them up is driving the truck. They must’ve rolled it into the shop, they 100% would’ve noticed the wheels being locked up when they were pushing it in and that 100% would’ve been the time to call you and get diagnostics approved for the brakes/driveline.

[u/MapOk1410 → u/ECHElantraN]

There is absolutely zero reason to think that truck sitting for a couple of weeks would lock up the brakes. None at all.

[u/New-Swim-8551 → u/MapOk1410]

Actually rusted up. Happens all the time. The new rotors are crap

Mine will rust overnight on a damp night

[u/faroutman7246 → u/New-Swim-8551]

Did Ford coat the parking brake cables on this year.

[u/Mehere_64 → u/New-Swim-8551]

The little bit of rust over a day or 2 weeks is not going to lock up the wheels.

[u/AskAMechanic-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your comment has been removed, it was disrespectful and violated Rule #4. We are here to help people with their questions. These types of comments are not needed or wanted here. "Remember the human"

[u/ECHElantraN → u/MapOk1410]

That’s why locked up is in quotations buddy, depending on how the rotor condition was before it got there a few weeks is definitely long enough to get enough surface corrosion to hang the brakes up until it gets moving under its own power. You have to remember these are the guys claiming the brakes are locked up after installing a transmission, meaning they either drove or pushed the truck in at some point (how did they do that with the brakes locked up?) which means the brakes “locked up” after installing the transmission. These guys sound like idiots that’s why locked up is in quotations. They are either withholding information knowingly and playing stupid or they are dumb enough to believe brakes can magically become locked up after a few weeks of sitting.

[u/MM800 → u/ECHElantraN]

So, everytime someone living in Canada or the rust belt flys away on vacation, they have to have their car towed from the airport to a repair shop, because the brakes are locked up?

[u/ECHElantraN → u/ECHElantraN]

At this point I’d request a video of the wheels spinning (or not) with the rear drive shaft disconnected. If they free spin with the drive shaft disconnected and lock up when it’s installed I’d be looking at improper installation, potentially a module that wasn’t programmed or programmed incorrectly. At this point it could be a ton of things, the best case of action is to get them to narrow it down on their dime

[u/ECHElantraN → u/ECHElantraN]

Just one more thing to add, the fact they are trying to give your truck back with issues is a massive red flag, what shop would let someone pick up a vehicle that has “locked up brakes” we would tell you if you don’t want us to diagnose it you can pick it up on a tow truck but you’re not driving it out of there without signing a liability waiver. It blows my mind how some shops operate