Car Forum / Dodge / Dodge Trucks / October 2006
Complaint about car mechanics?
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Ignoramus4299 - 05 Oct 2006 14:48 GMT So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff.
After that, a speed sensor on the rear diff failed on the same day.
They are now telling me that it is a purely random coincidence that it failed on the sale day as they did work there. Asking me $156 to fix it (it is a $30 part and a 5 minute job).
They do not agree to just fix it for me for free. So, I would like to know if there is anything I can do to make their life a little more difficult, such as bringing some complaint somewhere that they would have to answer to etc.
I could sue in small claims court, and probably will win, but that means taking time off work.
i
DonStaples - 05 Oct 2006 15:35 GMT You could probably make their lives a living hell, but why? For $156? And it probably really was a conincidence,speed sensor on my truck has gone out a couple of times in 8 years and nobody touched them. Small claims court isn't free,filing fees, time off from work, but you have to decide what is worthwhile to you.
> So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > i Ignoramus4299 - 05 Oct 2006 15:45 GMT > You could probably make their lives a living hell, but why? For $156? And it > probably really was a conincidence,speed sensor on my truck has gone out a > couple of times in 8 years and nobody touched them. Small claims court isn't > free,filing fees, time off from work, but you have to decide what is > worthwhile to you. I would get the filing fee back if I prevail.
i
>> So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. >> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >> >> i Roy - 05 Oct 2006 15:40 GMT > So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > i If they won't make good on it see the service manager or owner. If no joy, well you learned something about the dealer for short money Anyway you are dumping it for a chevy anyway so trade it and move on.
Roy
Ignoramus4299 - 05 Oct 2006 15:44 GMT >> So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. >> [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > well you learned something about the dealer for short money > Anyway you are dumping it for a chevy anyway so trade it and move on. I did talk to the manager already. As for what I learned about them, that's not that valuable, I have yet to find an honest mechanic anyway.
I will just fix it up with another speed sensor, but I would like to write somewhere about them.
i
Jon - 05 Oct 2006 16:55 GMT You know, I hate to be the devil's advocate, but with an attitude like that I bet there's nothing they can do to make you happy short of making service free. Having been on both sides of the counter, it's real freaking simple and reasonable: you have to accept the fact that electrical components often do fail without warning and at odd times, and they have to accept that if there is any sign of damage to the wiring or the sensor resulting from the work done, then you need to get a far better deal than list price + book hours....if not on the house.
If you're talking about a dealer's service shop, and they've failed exonerate themselves, then perhaps you need to lodge a complaint with your local BBB. In my opinion, that shows you're far more serious than a small claims suit where you've got a 50/50 shot with the judge.
> >> So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. > >> [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > i Ignoramus4299 - 05 Oct 2006 16:58 GMT > You know, I hate to be the devil's advocate, but with an attitude like > that I bet there's nothing they can do to make you happy short of > making service free. Well, if they did the work and fixed the problem, I would be happy.
As it stands, they did the work (replaced all bearings and, according to them, made proper adjustments) and the noise did not go away. Well, okay, sometimes it happens that they fix one thing and it does not help.
Now when they do this work, and also break the speed sensor (come on, what are the chances of it failing randomly on the same day), and say it is not their fault, it goes a little too far.
> Having been on both sides of the counter, it's real freaking simple > and reasonable: you have to accept the fact that electrical [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > your local BBB. In my opinion, that shows you're far more serious than > a small claims suit where you've got a 50/50 shot with the judge. OK. I will do just that. Seems easy enough.
i
Larry Crites - 05 Oct 2006 20:19 GMT What proof do you have that they made the sensor fail? No proof? You won't win in court. You pay. As far as the noise not going away, did they say that what they would do would solve that problem, or did they do what you told them to do?
Larry Behold Beware Believe
>> You know, I hate to be the devil's advocate, but with an attitude like >> that I bet there's nothing they can do to make you happy short of [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > i
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Ignoramus4299 - 05 Oct 2006 20:24 GMT > What proof do you have that they made the sensor fail? No proof? You won't > win in court. You pay. As far as the noise not going away, did they say that > what they would do would solve that problem, or did they do what you told > them to do? My complaint is not about noise that did not go away, it is about the failed speed sensor.
As for proof, I will check the sensor to see if it bears any signs of damage. Winning in civil court requires preponderance of evidence.
i
> Larry > Behold Beware Believe [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] >> >> i DonStaples - 05 Oct 2006 21:42 GMT Even if the sensor shows visible damage that doesn't mean the damage caused it to fail, nor does it mean the service person caused the damage. There is no way after the fact you will be able to prove any damage you may possibly find was caused by the service person. This is NOT CSI and this isn't a murder case. But if it will make you feel better to take them to court, by all means go for it, that is your right. I'll look forward to your postings about that adventure.
>> What proof do you have that they made the sensor fail? No proof? You >> won't [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] >>> >>> i Ignoramus4299 - 05 Oct 2006 21:47 GMT > Even if the sensor shows visible damage that doesn't mean the damage caused > it to fail, nor does it mean the service person caused the damage. There is [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > all means go for it, that is your right. I'll look forward to your postings > about that adventure. I want to see what happened to the speed sensor, by removing it. If there is any visible damage, I will take photographs of it.
If it is visibly damaged, then it is one story. Mechanics would see it when they removed the carrier gears, which means that they would let me know if they saw it. They did not tell me that. So, then, they damaged it due to reinstallation.
If that so, I will take pictures of it.
If the speed sensor does not work, but shows no signs of damage, then, I think, it is likely still due to what they did, but harder to prove.
i
>>> What proof do you have that they made the sensor fail? No proof? You >>> won't [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] >>>> >>>> i aarcuda69062 - 06 Oct 2006 04:52 GMT > I want to see what happened to the speed sensor, by removing it. If > there is any visible damage, I will take photographs of it. And once you remove it, you've tampered with it. How is the dealership, the judge, the jury or the executioner supposed to know you didn't damage it when you removed it?
> If it is visibly damaged, then it is one story. Mechanics would see it > when they removed the carrier gears, which means that they would let [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > If the speed sensor does not work, but shows no signs of damage, then, > I think, it is likely still due to what they did, but harder to prove. Suppose there is no physical damage apparent, then you check it with an ohm meter, the resistance measures above or below spec. (open or shorted) Explain to me how the mechanic could have caused that?
mac davis - 06 Oct 2006 17:42 GMT >> Even if the sensor shows visible damage that doesn't mean the damage caused >> it to fail, nor does it mean the service person caused the damage. There is [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > >i I do NOT want to play lawyer here, but logic would indicate that a picture taken after the truck was back in your 'possession" would seem useless as "evidence"... I'm not saying that you would do this, but the damage could have been done to it after it got home for the purpose of furthering the "cause"..
When I was a kid, I was riding with a friend that bumped a car at a stop sign... just a little bumper damage... the guy put in a claim for several hundred dollars (lots of money for rep[airs in the 60's) and showed pictures of his trunk and fender all bashed in...
The guy ended up on trial for insurance fraud.. lol
Mac
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aarcuda69062 - 06 Oct 2006 04:54 GMT > Now when they do this work, and also break the speed sensor (come on, > what are the chances of it failing randomly on the same day), I think the chances of failure that day are/were the same as any other day since the truck left the factory.
mac davis - 05 Oct 2006 17:38 GMT >So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >i I'd try for compromise first... like maybe you buying the part and the labor being free...
Don't know what state you're in, but in Calif., writing to the State consumer affairs, Automotive Division is very effective... make sure that you document charges, payments made, etc...
A few years ago, they kicked Pep Boys a.s for me.... Mac
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Ignoramus4299 - 05 Oct 2006 17:41 GMT >>So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. >> [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > affairs, Automotive Division is very effective... make sure that you document > charges, payments made, etc... I am in Illinois. Mine is a very simple story actually. I will definitely research if the state AG office has a department like that.
i
> A few years ago, they kicked Pep Boys a.s for me.... > Mac > > https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis > https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm beekeep - 05 Oct 2006 21:35 GMT >So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >i It's a part that fails all the time. I have to replace mine about every two years. 'Usually buy two at time so I have a spare on hand.
beekeep
Ignoramus4299 - 05 Oct 2006 21:39 GMT >>So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. >> [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > It's a part that fails all the time. I have to replace mine about every two > years. 'Usually buy two at time so I have a spare on hand. Well, sure, mine failed also, two years ago, but how likely is it that it failed due to their repair, on the day of their repair, vs. failing due to random bad luck, on the day of repair?
I think that they hit it when they were reinstalling gears. If I recall correctly from my previous replacement, it sticks into the inside of the gear case.
What worries me more is whether pieces from it could damage the gears.
I will remove and inspect the speed sensor ASAP to see if pieces from it are missing.
Anyway, I did file a complaint with the better business bureau, that was easy.
i
.boB - 06 Oct 2006 23:29 GMT > So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > i It's a $30 part and a 5 minute job. Go to Autozone and buy the part. Crawl under there and do the repair. If you can't do that, pay the money and move on. Often times we don't pay people for what they do, we pay them for what they know.
 Signature .boB Arrived: 2006 FXDI, Red. 1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged Stolen 11/26/05 in Denver 1HD1GEL10VY3200010 CO License J5822Z 2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92 1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver 1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.
Ignoramus7272 - 07 Oct 2006 01:22 GMT >> So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. >> [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > times we don't pay people for what they do, we pay them for what > they know. yep. Bought the part foor $27 today and will do it, it is more like a 15 minute job, I did it once before.
i
Peter Grey - 07 Oct 2006 23:47 GMT > So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. > > After that, a speed sensor on the rear diff failed on the same day. So did it work when you brought the truck to them and not work when you left, or did it fail later the same day? If it's the former you might have a logical leg to stand on, if the latter, I don't see how you can prove it was the mechanic's fault, nor do I think you'll do well in court. Assuming the scenario where the sensor failed later in the day, and given the fact that these things fail with regularity, I don't see how you can say with any certainty that your mechanic caused the problem.
If it's thirty bucks and five minutes, just fix the thing and get on with your life. Why waste time on something as trivial as this? If you're uncomfortable with these folks, just don't use them again.
Peter
Ignoramus23806 - 09 Oct 2006 05:37 GMT Looks like the speed sensor I have, does not match what Autozone says it should be. Mine has an "ear" for a bolt to hold it, and a gasket around the body that goes into the hole. Autozone part has thread and no "ear" for the bolt.
Anyone has a good suggestion for a reputable website selling those replacement rear speed sensors? Perhaps one that would take my VIN number?
I took mine out briefly yesterday, and to my further upset, saw relatively large (1-2mm) metal shavings stuck on it.
i
>> So, a mechanic did some work on my Dodge rear diff. >> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Peter Chris Thompson - 09 Oct 2006 06:52 GMT > Looks like the speed sensor I have, does not match what Autozone says > it should be. Mine has an "ear" for a bolt to hold it, and a gasket [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > I took mine out briefly yesterday, and to my further upset, saw > relatively large (1-2mm) metal shavings stuck on it. they gave you the output speed senor in the trans. your looking for the rear axle speed sensor.
 Signature ---------------------------- -Chris 05 CTD 06 Liberty CRD
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Ignoramus24560 - 09 Oct 2006 14:49 GMT >> Looks like the speed sensor I have, does not match what Autozone says >> it should be. Mine has an "ear" for a bolt to hold it, and a gasket [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > they gave you the output speed senor in the trans. your looking for the rear > axle speed sensor. Autozone does not have them, but I called a Dodge dealer, they have them for $45 apiece. I will pick on tonight, hopefully.
i
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