URGENT: Are Holden doing me sideways with a fish fork?

[s_ikari2015]

Oh don't worry... I'll be going through every single item they're charging me for and expecting to see the replaced part.

 

[minux]

:rofl: these threads make me laugh. First people want to try and do things backyard dodge style, then screw something up then expect people to not rip them when they take it in looking like a knob.

Sorry, but you bought this upon yourself

If you think they will take 1/2 payment, think again, most places will keep your car until you can make payment in full, unless prior arrangements have been made.

 

[Trewman]

I have 3 mates who work at holden. I wouldnt take my car there lol

 

[s_ikari2015]

Sorry Minux.... but you've got me all wrong. You might not know as much as you think.

If I dodged the job why did Holden say the problem wasn't the brakes even after I told them straight up I had replaced them myself on the weekend? I replaced the front wheel hubs as well as all 4 disc rotors and pads. I might not be a professional mechanic but I'm smart enough to know when I need one. There was something fundamentally wrong which came to light after I completed the usually simple brake pad/disc change. I'm also smart enough to understand when someone might be trying to pull the wool over my eyes.

Also, I drove my car away today without paying a cent. They trust that I will return the car tomorrow for continued work, which I'm going to.

They showed me the BENT LINK PIN. yes... the pin was actually bent. The tech was convinced the car had a front end collision with something and if it did I wasn't driving and they managed to repair all the other damage before I drove it next.

The technician also believes that the front left strut bearing is worn and may be accounting for slight movement in the strut. They're not sure if the movement they're feeling in the strut is caused by vibrations from the caliper going up the strut, or if the caliper vibrations are being caused by the strut movement.

They do know, however, that the bushes in the lower control arm, sway bar and link pin were cracked and could use replacing. When they removed the link pin they found it was bent. They also know there is pressure coming through the strut tower even when the left front caliper is "bypassed" as the service consultant said.

Strut bearing problems common much in VT's?

They want me to bring the old un-slotted disc rotors in tomorrow to be measured to see if they can be safely used to test out the strut theory... trying to eliminate a faulty piston in the caliper.

Also, if the piston is faulty then what difference is me doing the work myself going to make?

 

[Umai Naa!!]

For what it's worth, it doesn't take much to bend a swaybar end link. The word 'collision' can be used to describe any kind of impact, from pot-hole to power pole.

I agree with Minux, these threads do bring a bit of entertainment, when someone diagnoses faults, then brings it to a dealer who says it is something else.

Seriously, if people have such a chip on their shoulder about dealerships, why go there? In regards to the mechanicals of Commodores, it really makes no difference whether you go to a dealership or a garage. Undernieth, the cars haven't changed much since 1979, so just about every mechanice has dealt with one at some point, somehow. There's nothing complicated about them.

 

[Doctor Bob]

:rofl: these threads make me laugh. First people want to try and do things backyard dodge style, then screw something up then expect people to not rip them when they take it in looking like a knob.

Sorry, but you bought this upon yourself

If you think they will take 1/2 payment, think again, most places will keep your car until you can make payment in full, unless prior arrangements have been made.

i was just thinking that...
i just love getting cars in that customers have tried to fix themselves & then sook about how much its going to cost to fix.

 

[minux]

Sorry Minux.... but you've got me all wrong. You might not know as much as you think.

If I dodged the job why did Holden say the problem wasn't the brakes even after I told them straight up I had replaced them myself on the weekend? I replaced the front wheel hubs as well as all 4 disc rotors and pads. I might not be a professional mechanic but I'm smart enough to know when I need one. There was something fundamentally wrong which came to light after I completed the usually simple brake pad/disc change. I'm also smart enough to understand when someone might be trying to pull the wool over my eyes.

Also, I drove my car away today without paying a cent. They trust that I will return the car tomorrow for continued work, which I'm going to.

They showed me the BENT LINK PIN. yes... the pin was actually bent. The tech was convinced the car had a front end collision with something and if it did I wasn't driving and they managed to repair all the other damage before I drove it next.

The technician also believes that the front left strut bearing is worn and may be accounting for slight movement in the strut. They're not sure if the movement they're feeling in the strut is caused by vibrations from the caliper going up the strut, or if the caliper vibrations are being caused by the strut movement.

They do know, however, that the bushes in the lower control arm, sway bar and link pin were cracked and could use replacing. When they removed the link pin they found it was bent. They also know there is pressure coming through the strut tower even when the left front caliper is "bypassed" as the service consultant said.

Strut bearing problems common much in VT's?

They want me to bring the old un-slotted disc rotors in tomorrow to be measured to see if they can be safely used to test out the strut theory... trying to eliminate a faulty piston in the caliper.

Also, if the piston is faulty then what difference is me doing the work myself going to make?

fact is it was fine before you started but had problems afterwards...perhaps had you just done it by a professional in the first place the issue may not have occurred.

Which brings me to my off topic argument that all Suspension, brake, axle etc repairs should have to be completed by a recognised qualified mechanic. I know i would feel much safer on the road were this the case.

 

[s_ikari2015]

My beef isn't with whether I stuffed up, it's the fact that Holden have come back and said it was something completely unrelated to the work I did on the car.

Like you said, it wasn't there before I did the job, but it was afterwards. How the hell is it unrelated?

If I had taken it to a mechanic first time would they have still wanted to change the suspension bushes and bent link pin?

The car has underlying problems with the front end suspension, everything from deteriorated bushes to bent link pins and to worn strut bearings. I'm sure as hell not paying them to change the strut bearings, particularly when the struts themselves are old and worn. When I have the money I will get a suspension specialist to lower the car and replace the struts and shocks in the process, also have them apply a camber kit as is strongly recommended when lowering a VT.

I'm not totally clueless. Surely the knocking was brake related, not suspension. I'd just wish they were straight forward about it and said "The brake installation was dodged and there was excessive movement of the caliper which was making the clunking sound. This, however, has highlighted a serious issue with the suspension bushes, we strongly recommend these are changed. We can do this for you today for $X."
Instead they tried to shift the entire blame of the knocking onto the suspension. I went to this dealership because they've been honest with me before and they've never done me wrong. Previously when the service rep didn't know what he was talking about he asked the mechanic to run me through it. That hasn't happened this time and I think there has been some misinformation floating around. *sighs*

Well, I'll be getting the car back today and I'll be finished with them. If there is more work to be done (like the struts) I'll get that done when I can afford them, at somewhere that doesn't charge like wounded bulls.

Brakes on a VT are not a hard job, and I have changed them without incident before so this time it seemed like just another walk in the park. Unfortunately I think I got mugged.

 

[Holdens Rule]

Some of these threads make me laugh too. I was under the impression that this forum is for anyone wanting some advice but it seems if you not a know it all and you ask the wrong question you get knocked for it. You don't learn anything if you don't give it a try youself and people giving you advice is alot more helpful that people having a go at you.

 

[dazza33]

First people want to try and do things backyard dodge style, then screw something up then expect people to not rip them when they take it in looking like a knob.

What sort of a comment is this, so what do you wonder around just waiting for people to rip you off do you? "Holdens Rule" is spot on, he's done some work on his car, taken it to a mechanic/dealer and is just seeking some advice. It's that simple!

And this! I'll be rushing my car straight over to you.

i was just thinking that...
i just love getting cars in that customers have tried to fix themselves & then sook about how much its going to cost to fix.

Give it a rest!