Step 1: Checking the Ride Height & Leveling Valve

As soon as we inspected the truck, we noticed a quick red flag: the leveling valve linkage had been rigged up using zip ties.

Why does this matter? If the ride height is incorrect, it can cause driveline misalignment, leading to vibrations, noises, and wear.

The owner mentioned that if the issue extended beyond the leveling valve, he’d rather send the truck back to auction than pay for major repairs. With that in mind, we took the truck on a road test to see what was really going on.

Step 2: Pinpointing the Transmission Problem

During the test drive, the grinding and growling noise consistently occurred in every even-numbered gear. That pattern pointed directly to internal transmission damage—not just a ride height issue.

This was potentially a serious (and expensive) repair. But before giving the owner bad news, we took one extra step: checking the factory warranty.

Step 3: The Warranty Check That Saved Thousands

Here’s where things took a turn for the better.

Since the truck was only four years old with about 400,000 miles, we reached out to Eaton Corporation—the transmission manufacturer—to see if it was still under warranty.

Good news! The Eaton transmission was covered for 5 years or 750,000 miles.

This meant there was a possibility the entire transmission replacement would be covered.

To process the warranty claim, we:

✔ Drained the transmission oil
✔ Removed the PTO cover
✔ Documented gear damage with photos
✔ Sent everything to Eaton for verification

Once approved, Eaton shipped a brand-new transmission and explained the would cover the labor as well.

Step 4: Delivering the News & Getting the Truck Back on the Road

When we called the customer, we had both bad news and good news:

Bad news: The transmission was failing and needed replacement.

Good news:  The repair was completely covered under warranty—saving thousands of dollars!

The owner was thrilled and kept the truck instead of sending it back to auction. Now, with a brand-new transmission, his 2021 International LT625 is back on the road.

What Truck Owners Can Learn From This

If you’re a truck owner, this case highlights some key takeaways:

• Always check your factory warranty – Even high-mileage trucks may still have coverage. A single phone call can save you thousands.
• Strange noises shouldn’t be ignored – Grinding, growling, or vibrations can signal serious transmission or driveline problems.
• Leveling valves matter – A poorly adjusted ride height can throw off your driveline angles and cause premature wear.
• Find a shop that knows truck warranties – Working with a shop that understands how to check and process claims can make all the difference.

Need Truck Diagnostics or Repairs? Meyer Trucks Has You Covered!

If you’re experiencing odd noises, shifting issues, or other heavy truck problems, let Meyer International Trucks help! We provide real-world insights, expert repair advice, and industry tips to keep your rig on the road.  "Going the Extra Mile, So You Can Too."

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