Re: Why did I take my car to the dealer?

[Shaun Folkerts <fiatlancia@earthlink.net>]

Craig - thanks for the reply. Here's the story, and the reason I asked my
question in the first place.

I've had a consistent vibration since I bought my car. The tires were old, so I
replaced them and it helped a bit. I went for an alignment to get the most out
of the new tires, mileage-wise. The tire shop's alignment shop put my car up on
the rack, hooked up the sensors, and then the horrors began.

They said the adjusters were frozen. I said do what you can. They took a BFH to
them.

Then they came back and said the adjusters were frozen and they had to use a
torch. Extra $15 just to fire it up. They had my car hostage and I was late, so
I just told them to get it overwith and proceeded to watch the sparks fly.

They came back and said the adjusters were frozen. By this point, I was very
late and more than a little P.O.ed. They took the car off the rack and asked for
my credit card. I was called into the office to sign it. They charged the full
price of the alignment, pushed the slip my way, and said "sign here." No way, I
said. We had a rousing, um, 'discussion' on the matter, and each of us claimed
we were about to call a cop. Eventually I just had to laugh at these poor
lameass halfwit monkeylads and I signed. I know, dumb, huh? I then got my keys
back and stormed out of the driveway, raising a New York salute in the process.



"Craig D. Niederst" wrote:

> Shaun,
> My regular mechanic did not charge me for their attempt at an alignment. The
> severe front end shake is unrelated to the alignment. I've had the front
> struts, strut mounts, strut bearings, all bushes and a tie rod end replaced
> by my normal mechanic to attempt to stop the shake (although the struts,
> mounts and bearings were done just as regular wear type items). The shake
> occurs with both my summer and winter wheels, so its not tire / wheel
> related. I have no idea what else it could be. They did find a ripped CV
> boot this time, but they assure me that the actual CV joint was OK and just
> needed a new boot and grease. Well, I guess I will just have to live with
> it.
>
> Craig
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Shaun Folkerts <fiatlancia@earthlink.net>
> To: Craig D. Niederst <niederst@telerama.com>
> Sent: Monday, November 22, 1999 11:24 PM
> Subject: Re: Why did I take my car to the dealer?
>
> > Might I ask: what did your "regular" alignment shop charge you when they
> > realized the parts were frozen and could not complete the alignment?
> > The dealer did free the adjusters and align the car (although not solve
> the
> > shimmy issue)?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Shaun Folkerts
> >
> >
> >
> > "Craig D. Niederst" wrote:
> >
> > > Went to pick my '92 100S up from the dealer this evening (Day Audi in
> > > Pittsburgh). I took the car in for state inspection / emissions, an
> > > alignment (since my regular shop said the adjusters were frozen and they
> > > couldn't do it) and to diagnose three lingering problems that I had: (1)
> > > Severe shake from front end at highway speeds, (2) Coolant coming out
> from
> > > coolant cap even though the car does not overheat and (3) Tranny leak.
> Car
> > > passed inspection / emissions. But their answers to my other problems
> were a
> > > joke. They claimed they could not find a shake from the front end at
> highway
> > > speeds. But they did say I had a torn CV boot, and possibly a bad CV.
> They
> > > quoted me $208 to fix it, but as I found out when I picked it up the
> $208
> > > was to replace the ripped boot (they claim the CV was OK)! They pressure
> > > tested my coolant system, checked the fans, etc and found nothing wrong.
> I
> > > posted the conclusion about the tranny leak before, which they said was
> a
> > > leak through the casting. They claim it is nothing to worry about. I
> > > disagree, because enough fluid is leaking for it to drip onto my
> passenger
> > > side cat and cause a smell every time I drive the car for more than a
> short
> > > run. So on my ride home on the PA turnpike, within 5 minutes of leaving
> the
> > > dealer I have my severe high speed shake. Get off at my exit and when I
> stop
> > > to pay the toll, there's the burning tranny fluid smell. And to boot,
> when I
> > > go top get change from the ashtray to pay the toll, all of my change is
> gone
> > > (there was at least $10 in quarters in there when I dropped the car off
> last
> > > week). I hate to go into the garage right now fearing there will be
> coolant
> > > all over the floor. I figured I'd give another dealer a chance with my
> car
> > > (already had a bad experience with another dealer before). Big mistake.
> So I
> > > paid $358 for a state inspection, emissions, alignment and a CV boot
> > > (actually $368 if you count my stolen change). Can you say monkey lads
> with
> > > a capital M? Of course I'll call to complain tomorrow when the service
> > > manager and monkey lad mechanic are there, but I doubt I'll get any
> > > satisfaction. Rant mode off.
> > >
> > > Craig
> > > '92 100S (86k)
> >