Question for car mechanics

[gmc]

Originally Posted by Odie

its not unsafe..the breaks work fine....it was me who insisted on no brake pads.

If they work fine why are you taking it back? Look it's up to you. If you trust the mechanic why didn't you take his advice? Don't know about you but my time is worth more than a mechanics and taking a car back again costs me money.

I've been ripped off by garages so often I'm not really in a position to give anyone advice. I've had garages tell me I can't change gear properly after they've fitted a clutch the mechanic telling me it was because the choke was out and that what the problem was-in a diesel car. I've put a car in specifically to have the rear brake shoes changed only to go back and them tell me I need new brake shoes and I'd have to bring it back and present me with a bill for the mechanics time. I like main dealerships because if you have the nerve to stand in the showroom and make a scene when they do something wrong or try and rip you off they back down pretty quickly. That last one was a classic that had the service manager hiding in his office rather than come out to see me and refusing to give me the car unless I paid but unfortunately for him the MD happened to be there, while perhaps not being disposed to intervene he recognised me and knew one of my relatives was a lawyer and that this was not going to go away quietly. I got my car back but needless to say changed garages. I've had garages charge for servicing but actually not do anything there was another that changed the tyre pressures to the wrong pressures and the first roundabout I came to the car went straight on instead of turning and I almost crashed it's the closest I've come to thumping a service manager when he told me it wouldn't make that much difference. I trust the one I deal with now but only up to a point.

[Odie]

Originally Posted by gmc

If they work fine why are you taking it back? Look it's up to you. If you trust the mechanic why didn't you take his advice? Don't know about you but my time is worth more than a mechanics and taking a car back again costs me money.

I've been ripped off by garages so often I'm not really in a position to give anyone advice. I've had garages tell me I can't change gear properly after they've fitted a clutch the mechanic telling me it was because the choke was out and that what the problem was-in a diesel car. I've put a car in specifically to have the rear brake shoes changed only to go back and them tell me I need new brake shoes and I'd have to bring it back and present me with a bill for the mechanics time. I like main dealerships because if you have the nerve to stand in the showroom and make a scene when they do something wrong or try and rip you off they back down pretty quickly. That last one was a classic that had the service manager hiding in his office rather than come out to see me and refusing to give me the car unless I paid but unfortunately for him the MD happened to be there, while perhaps not being disposed to intervene he recognised me and knew one of my relatives was a lawyer and that this was not going to go away quietly. I got my car back but needless to say changed garages. I've had garages charge for servicing but actually not do anything there was another that changed the tyre pressures to the wrong pressures and the first roundabout I came to the car went straight on instead of turning and I almost crashed it's the closest I've come to thumping a service manager when he told me it wouldn't make that much difference. I trust the one I deal with now but only up to a point.

The place I went to, I have been before for lots of things.

They're a huge chain across Canada and the US, their specialty is brake repairs.


It's not just a mechanic who works in divey shops.


The brakes are squishy as explained, they need to be bled, and needless to say I am going to question him why this wasn't done.


He changed the rotors only, but as Carla said, they should have been bled.....

no, I am not happy, but going back there is better than going elsewhere and starting all over again,.


oh and I hate dealerships, worked for one for 15 years, the service advisers talk you into things you don't need as they are on a bonus system.


and at 96.00 an hour.....no thanks.......

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by Odie

okay smart one, here's one for you:

I had my rotors replaced.......yes, just the rotors....the pads are fine, very thick.

my brakes feel really squishy now and I brake very easily because of it.....

-I phoned and asked the guy why the rotors would make the brakes squishy....as I have to put them to the ground and its very scary.

he said they may have to be bled, which I understand and know about...

but why would he charge me 10.00 to do that?

it has to do with after they changed the rotors.

If he changed the disks without changing the pads then it will take a while for the pair to bed in together.

If they need bleeding then that's his problem - he should not be charging you extra to do a proper job. Putting in new disks should have raised the level of fluid in the reservoir (because the new disks are thicker) so if you felt the need to add more then it is possible that he let the callipers work their way too far our of the cylinder and let fluid leak out and air in - his fault and his to fix.

Make sure you wash any spilt fluid off as it is corrosive (as well as being a very good paint stripper) and also rots rubber on contact.

[Odie]

Originally Posted by Bryn Mawr

If he changed the disks without changing the pads then it will take a while for the pair to bed in together.

If they need bleeding then that's his problem - he should not be charging you extra to do a proper job. Putting in new disks should have raised the level of fluid in the reservoir (because the new disks are thicker) so if you felt the need to add more then it is possible that he let the callipers work their way too far our of the cylinder and let fluid leak out and air in - his fault and his to fix.

Make sure you wash any spilt fluid off as it is corrosive (as well as being a very good paint stripper) and also rots rubber on contact.

Thanks Bryn, see he never mentioned the disks....

The brake fluid was fine, as my X checks it weekly, I just topped it up and I did wash off the overflow as Carla said to do.


I will be asking him...trust me, why they never bled the breaks.


and why I'm paying for this.

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by Odie

Thanks Bryn, see he never mentioned the disks....

The brake fluid was fine, as my X checks it weekly, I just topped it up and I did wash off the overflow as Carla said to do.


I will be asking him...trust me, why they never bled the breaks.


and why I'm paying for this.

I'm assuming that disks = rotors

[Odie]

Originally Posted by Bryn Mawr

I'm assuming that disks = rotors

aren't they different?

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by Odie

aren't they different?

Then what do you mean by rotors? It does not translate.

[gmc]

Originally Posted by Bryn Mawr

Then what do you mean by rotors? It does not translate.

I think It's american terminology that's creeping in -the part on my last bill is listed as brake rotor, it's a brake disc by another name. Wonder what they call a rotor arm and do they know it's under the bonnet?

[Bill Sikes]

Including points already made, with extras:

Brake fluid can remove car paintwork. Wash spills off ASAP.

Brake fluid ought to be changed every few years - it's hygroscopic (takes up water from the air, leading to a couple of possible problems).

Changing the discs should not necessitate bleeding the brakes.

If the brakes are "spongy", there's air in the system (or a leak!) and the system needs "bleeding". When you push down the brake pedal, it should come to a hard stop (so should the car; try the brakes when not going along!).

Changing the discs without changing the pads (and changing the pads without changing the discs) can lead to reduced braking efficiency until the components have "bedded in". This is normal, and should't be very noticable.

Systems with antilock braking may have other issues.

What on earth have you got that needs $200-worth of brake pads, or does the fitter wear a lounge suit?

[Carolly]

Originally Posted by Bill Sikes

Including points already made, with extras:

Brake fluid can remove car paintwork. Wash spills off ASAP.

Brake fluid ought to be changed every few years - it's hygroscopic (takes up water from the air, leading to a couple of possible problems).

Changing the discs should not necessitate bleeding the brakes.

If the brakes are "spongy", there's air in the system (or a leak!) and the system needs "bleeding". When you push down the brake pedal, it should come to a hard stop (so should the car; try the brakes when not going along!).

Changing the discs without changing the pads (and changing the pads without changing the discs) can lead to reduced braking efficiency until the components have "bedded in". This is normal, and should't be very noticable.

Systems with antilock braking may have other issues.

What on earth have you got that needs $200-worth of brake pads, or does the fitter wear a lounge suit?

Just thought Id mention what I was quoted from a Ford Garage here in England for Labour Charges £80 an hour plus VAT which takes it to £92 an hour....check out what that is in $.I truely believe the worlds gone mad with these type of charges although thats cheap I guess compared to some other business's here that charge by the hour.