ZF IRM301 failed - fix seems crazy...

steveadil

Member
Aug 2, 2014
34
Mystic, CT
Boat Info
1990 420 Sundancer
Engines
Caterpillar 3208TA
So last fall I contracted with a marine gear specialist to solve my failed trans problem - IRM301 P1 - and the specialist suggested a new trans. He said rebuilding the old 301 would cost just as much and I wouldn't have a warranty. I agreed.

The new trans is a ZF IRM301C. First issue - I had to pay an additional $1,000 to have the gear ratio changed to 1.1:1. And $300 for shipping. On top of $6,500 for the trans. But so far so good.

Over the winter the specialist tried to make the trans work with my Cat 3208. He and ZF went back and forth, parts were sent and returned. Now I'm told the only way to make it work is to move the engine forward. I'm looking at probably twice the quoted price for installation when we finally get done.

I would have thought that ZF would have made this process much easier and less expensive. They had the serial number of my old trans. Or is it SeaRay's fault for putting this rig together in a way that ZF had no information on? Or did the gear specialist not know the deal?

I've only been doing this a couple of years so it may be standard practice, just wanted a reality check.
 
Sorry for your problems....This does seem crazy. If they had your serial #, he should have confirmed with ZF that this transmission matched in dimensions, angle of shaft, gear ratio, etc. prior to ordering. He quoted a price and was grossly wrong stating that rebuilding was the same price as a new one. He needs to own it. I would tell him it's not an acceptable solution moving the motor and you want to proceed with rebuilding the old one. There is no fault on your part here. Just my 2 cents.
 
Cod - thanks for the response. I'm getting back "they haven't made those transmissions for many years" response back a lot.

Bt Doctur: thanks for the links! Good to know there are a few out there. The one thing about mine though is it has a keyed input shaft - not pressed on. No one I've spoken to has ever seen one.
 

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