Word back on the Admiral

[Rock Doctor]

Well, my buddy piled up another Admiral Trans in another brand new HDI. It was backed off the trailer and spun around to head to the shop...............CLUNK, there she sits. It took me longer to type the first 2 sentences of this post than they got out of that machine.

Some of you might remember, back when we started having issues with the Admiral, I made the comment that it was the Splined Male part of the output shafts that were getting the Splines ripped off. So we've heard that this was an Alignment problem, and has been fixed............ It apears as though the fix was to harden the splines on the Male Output shaft (Are you as confused as I am at this point?)
Anyway, now it looks like the hardened Splines on the Male part of the output shaft are tearing the Splines out of the Female part of the output shaft. This requires a complete teardown of the trans to replace these shafts.

Now, something is bugging me with this explanation, something is not ringing true and I can't put my finger on it at the moment. Maybe it wasn't explained to me right, or I misunderstood.
I'm hoping that I will have a better understanding once I look through the Tech Data and Parts diagrams (IF I am permitted to look through this info)

Hope I got this right, and am not just talking out my "Bungholio". I will post up if/when I hear more.

RD

[mightymaxIV]

Your making me nervous RD.

[pcmark]

I think that the Admiral transmission is a remarkable design, and kudos to ODG for investing so much R&D into it. Anyone who's worked in manufacturing new product launches -- or even consumers who rush out to buy first-generation technology releases -- know that despite the best testing and quality-control efforts, "bugs" often don't appear till the product is in real-world use (this is why exceptionally quality-based companies use wide-spread field beta testing prior to launches). It rarely means a new product is intrinsically flawed, but that there's a learning curve still in process of perfecting its design or manufacturing process.

When debating ordering my 2011 Argo, it was a tough call for me -- the latest-greatest 650 with the Admiral, or the 580 with the long-proven "standard" transmission? Ultimately, I opted for the 580 for what I deem as just good ol' proven technology that will certainly meet my needs. Admittedly, I wasn't comfortable being an early adopter of the newer transmission that would offer greater technology, but possibly with risks (which, again, isn't unusual in many product classes). With that said, I'd bet that most Admirals are running flawlessly, as we typically only hear horror stories of products (people rarely speak up when all is good).

Dan, with your machine working so seemingly well, I wouldn't worry at all -- most FTQs (first-time quality failures), occur pretty quickly, so the fact that your machine hasn't had an issue statistically shows that your almost certainly in the clear. ...I trust ODG is working on these issues, and soon will have a bullet-proof product, as they've been known for.

[Slimpickin]

I'm going to keep my Conquests till further notice.

Slim

[mightymaxIV]

PCMark-Those are comforting words and they make perfect sense, if my transmission hasn't failed after the workout I've given it, it's probably not going to fail.

[lamonte Halleran]

Hi there do you know if odg have any plans on fixing the problem with the admiral or just up grading it.i am planing on getting a 2011 750hdi and it is going to be over 30k for what i want,and the last thing i want is to get broke down in the middle of the country after spending all that cash.after all odg are supposed to be the experts in trannys.

[Rock Doctor]

I have NO doubt that they will fix the problem, and fix it well. They just need time to wrap their heads around the problem. I believe that what they need is "feedback" from customers................THEY ARE GETTING IT.


RD

[Tomo]

hi,
As far as i am aware ODG specialize in making gears etc and related NOT a specialized gear box maker .
I suspect they make gears for gear box manufacturers and similar industries .
Its a bit of a mystery really as even if they donot have the experience with mass produced boxes there surely is somebody that knows there .After all they have been in the industry for many years .
To still have issues with there 6x6 boxes is a bit pathetic .
This is one of the main reasons i did not purchase an argo together with the borderline over heating issues they tend to have in the local climate .
Remember that ODG may not make all ther g/box parts also eg gbox casings etc . When a g/box is made by more than 1 or 2 factories some times issues can appear .
Just thought i would post some ideas some may or may not apply

tomo

[Castro]

I don't think building things at 2 locations means squwat. We build aerospace bernings, and components. When we build a component we then ship it out to another facility to be assembled with other pieces made else where. We heat treat parts for china and Europe.... This is how manurfacturing is done in the world today. And as far as I know ODG has been involved with building and designing gear boxs for a number of manufactures. Don't know where you are getting your I formation from...