Worst experience with a mechanic ever
I started to hear and feel a strange clunk while turning, only in slow-speed maneuvering, some time ago. Not being mechanically inclined, as of yet, though I hope to learn as I can, I took in the old GC to the shop I always go to. They diagnosed and concluded I needed new swaybar links. Then they said I needed new front shocks. Seeing as I was going on a trip to Washington state, and this is in December, and seeing that I live in Texas, I didn't have time to research and find a better deal on parts. So I agreed. They replaced everything mentioned at a cost of $391 in parts and labor. On the road I went to Washington, and the problem remained. Sure, the swaybar actually working as intended made a huge difference, it was like night and day, and new front shocks were nice, but there was still that strange symptom with the steering.
So when I went to get my oil changed, now a couple months ago, I had them check into it again. At a diagnostic cost of $40, they charge for that there and never did before, they concluded it was the steering box. So they wanted $330 to get it from a local parts store. I found it at Autozone for $167 shipped. Rebuilt, but with a 1 year warranty. When I received it and had them put it on, the problem remained. So they said it was probably a bad gearbox. I called Autozone, and they shipped another out while the first was still on my Jeep. I received it, the shop installed it, and the problem remained. So...what's up? They said it was a tie rod. So they ordered one as I just wasn't up to fighting this anymore and wanted it over with. $90, I think it was. But the following Monday when it arrived and they pulled the old, supposedly bad one, from my GC, they discovered the one they'd gotten in was the wrong one. So they replaced my original tie rod.
Later they received the correct one, installed it, and the problem remained. So what did the mechanic who'd been on this job since the $40 diagnostic tell me? It must be the weld where the tube between the frame is for the bolt to go through that holds the gearbox. Which bolt, he didn't know. And they don't have a welder at that shop. So I would have to talk to his older brother that runs their other shop across town. I forgot to mention that I had to confront them rather upset about all this and convince them to look into the problem further. That's why the mechanic came in on a Saturday to try and figure it out. That was his conclusion.
Monday, I went to the shop and found out he'd talked to his brother, but I'd have to call and talk directly with him about it. I did so, and the guy said he'd talk with the welder over there to see when they could get me in. Friday, I called back. He'd forgotten about it and would have to fit me in next week. So by the next Tuesday I was finally able to get in. I wasn't able to on that Monday because I have a job and responsibilities and can't always conform to these peoples' schedule!
When I went in that shop across town from the one where this all started, the guy who was supposed to weld it had no idea about it yet. So the mechanic from the first shop's brother talked to him. He then checked out under my hood after talking to the original mechanic at the shop over the phone. He said their welder couldn't handle it... I went back to the first shop and the mechanic there said it was likely the welder who really didn't do that a lot over at the other place probably didn't want to mess with it. I think it was the 'welder' that suggested I try some other places in town to get it welded. But at this point he told me it wasn't a problem that would likely ever really need resolved as it wouldn't affect my driving or safety. It'd just make the darn noise that sounds like something is majorly wrong. So now my GC sounds like it's got something wrong but supposedly doesn't.
Did I forget to mention the overall cost of this last debacle? With the gearbox, tie rod, 'shop supplies', and labor it came to around $600. So $1,000 out of pocket and I could've replaced all these parts with higher quality ones included a lift. If only I'd known how this would all go all that time ago. I live in Dalhart, Texas, and the shop I went to is Hart Motors. I want to spread that name around. They tried, but I honestly don't think they are very good at this. How can you screw up a repair so bad and cost someone so much to never actually solve the initial problem? Then just tell the customer, oh well, it's not going to hurt anything. You might as well just live with it.
o.O;;
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Worst experience with a mechanic ever
04-17-2009, 09:58 PM
