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#1
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Issue with local auto shop
A few weeks ago I took my 96 Suzuki Sidekick to a local shop to replace the left front wheel bearing. I knew it required a special tool to remove the axle nut and the bearing would have to be removed/installed with a press which I don't have. I got a call from the shop a few hours later telling me that the spindle was badly worn, a new spindle was $900 but they could sand down the spindle and put the new bearing in there but it would not last very long. I suggested a used spindle and he said we would look for one. He called me back about an hour later saying he couldn't find one. So I said put it back together with the new bearing, old spindle, and I would look for a used spindle.
After driving it a few days, I noticed a rattle and jacked the car up to check the wheel. There was a 1/2" play in the bearing measured at the top and bottom of the wheel. I called the shop, told them, they said bring it back in and they would check it. Since I had a used spindle on the way from Ebay, I decided to wait until I got it and just parked the car. Today I decided to get into it myself. Once I took off the hubs and lock ring I found the axle nut loose. I tightened it 3/4 of a turn with my fingers. It had to have been installed by the shop this way since the lock ring was in place. The nut should have between 123-180 ft lbs of torque on it. It can only be tightened with a special tool ($70). Once I removed the caliper and hub I found the spindle in fine condition with no evidence of damage at all. So what was going on? My hypothesis is that the shop did not know the vehicle required a special wrench and once they got into it, they didn't want to buy one. They knew the bearing would fail in short order if it wasn't torqued, but instead of telling me this, they invented the cock and bull story of a bad spindle so they couldn't be held accountable when the bearing failed in a few thousand miles. I called the shop today and told them the axle nut was loose when I disassembled it. They insisted they had tightened it with an impact wrench. Opinions?
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#2
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Ask them if you can borrow their special tool, then tighten the nut yourself with a torque wrench. If not, suck it up and buy the special tool.
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#3
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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar. 83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles 08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles 88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress. |
#4
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I did, that's why I was willing to disassemble it today. I'm pretty sure they don't have the tool, that's why it was loose. I'm pissed because I bought a used hub assembly for the spindle because they told me the spindle was bad and because they knew the bearing would fail since it was not tightened.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#5
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yup.
What did they say when you told them an impact wrench couldn't have tightened it?
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1984 300TD |
#6
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The tool can be used with an impact wrench, so it's theoretically possible. (It's a large 'socket' with 4 hardened pins which fit into holes in the perimeter of the axle nut.) Although failure to use a torque wrench when the torque is really specific is poor workmanship.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#7
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Then I would definitely ask to borrow it. When they say no because they don't really have it, ask them if you can look at it so you know what to buy.
Got any pictures of what it looks like?
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1984 300TD |
#8
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I do my own work, even if it requires an expendature for a special tool. After years of hearing and reading cases such as yours I am confident in my choice. I would have bought the tool or borrowed or rented it, or maybe fabricated one. |
#9
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#10
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In retrospect it confirms the principles. When in doubt, buy the tool.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#11
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I like to do my own work too, but when it comes to pressing out bearings and tools you'll only use once, it becomes a cost/benefit issue.
That tool doesn't look too hard to make. I take it that's the nut in the pics, kerry? How much is the nut?
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1984 300TD |
#12
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Yes, that's the nut. Don't know how much it costs. I used the existing nut. It's not a complicated tool but it was made on a lathe or something like that which I don't have. The walls of the socket are so thick that I don't think a standard impact socket could have holes drilled in it and pins added.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#13
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The only possibility is to drag another mechanic into court with you............a very unlikely scenario. Another example of the auto repair industry getting away with financial murder because there is no possibility of any recourse. |
#14
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Quote:
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1984 300TD |
#15
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Bargain!
Opinion? That special tool at $70 sounds like quite a bargain now! Sorry to hear how this is working out. I'd buy the tool, get the bearing pressed in/on and get things back together correctly, check the bearing on the other side, resell the tool, and chalk it up as a learning experience. Be happy that the wheel didn't come off at speed and kill you or some innocent person!
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