W124 Rotor Retaining Screw Broken - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gjones8131 · #1 11-21-2018, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Would you have paid extra at the time for him to fix the screw?

Stud mount wheels generally don't have retaining screws and work just fine.

There are a couple of other reasons why bolt attached wheels have a retaining screw.

1 It keeps index of the rotor holes and hub holes when the wheel is off.

2 A flake of rust "could" fall between the hub and rotor causing a braking vibration but , again , stud mount wheels survive just fine. ( Brake vibration is caused by a thickness variation more than it is caused by a wobbly rotor. )

Wheels corrode to the hub index and not to the face of the hub so the rotor coming off with the wheel won't be an issue. The caliper will prevent losing the rotor during a wheel change.

I'd argue he broke it so it's his fault and responsibility but point taken

I have swapped that wheel out many times since that last brake change and never had any issues with the rotor. I am thinking of redoing the suspension in the summer so while I have it jacked up, I will re-tap it

97 SL320 · #2 11-21-2018, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjones8131

I'd argue he broke it so it's his fault and responsibility but point taken

You are being somewhat reasonable about this, ( thanks ) but there is more to the story.

What specifically did the tech do wrong to break the bolt and what could they have done to not break the ( non critical ) bolt? In rust belt areas, bolts constantly seize and or break during removal. If a shop was liable for every stuck bolt, they would be out of business.

Think of this, labor time guides are based on new cars without rust. An older rusty car can easily add 30% more time to the job. Should the shop be liable for the extra labor?

Some MB dealers won't work on a car that is over 10 years old, rust bolts are one reason.

gjones8131 · #3 11-21-2018, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

You are being somewhat reasonable about this, ( thanks ) but there is more to the story.

What specifically did the tech do wrong to break the bolt and what could they have done to not break the ( non critical ) bolt? In rust belt areas, bolts constantly seize and or break during removal. If a shop was liable for every stuck bolt, they would be out of business.

Think of this, labor time guides are based on new cars without rust. An older rusty car can easily add 30% more time to the job. Should the shop be liable for the extra labor?

Some MB dealers won't work on a car that is over 10 years old, rust bolts are one reason.

Those are some very excellent points I did not consider. In that context I would agree with it not being his problem.

I suppose it would be asking a lot for the tech to check before he started and use a bit of PB blaster or something of the sort...That would really add up for him since the guy usually does old euro cars.

I will say though I think it was kinda unprofessional to not atleast tell me it happened and sweep it under the rug...or under the rotor as it may be in this case

Rrrockhound · #4 11-21-2018, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjones8131

Those are some very excellent points I did not consider. In that context I would agree with it not being his problem.

I suppose it would be asking a lot for the tech to check before he started and use a bit of PB blaster or something of the sort...That would really add up for him since the guy usually does old euro cars.

I will say though I think it was kinda unprofessional to not atleast tell me it happened and sweep it under the rug...or under the rotor as it may be in this case

Could be worse...A tech splashed brake fluid on one of my 911's Fuchs wheels, ruining the paint.

97 SL320 · #5 11-21-2018, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjones8131

I suppose it would be asking a lot for the tech to check before he started and use a bit of PB blaster or something of the sort...That would really add up for him since the guy usually does old euro cars.

Had this been a critical bolt, I'd agree that it should have been repaired but at customer cost. If a tech damages non repair related parts, yes they should fix it. ( the brake fluid on wheel example )

If an exhaust system needs to be removed for a repair and the exhaust breaks apart during removal, should the shop be liable for replacing it?

How about this. The next time you have a car repaired, state in detail your expectations up front. Use the broken brake rotor bolt as an example and that you expect any bolts / parts that break during removal to be repaired at no extra charge. If they agree, great for you.

For more context, I've been around the auto repair / industrial machinery / construction equipment business 40+ years and have seen lots of broken rusted stuff. PB blaster and other penetrating oil won't help every badly rusted bolt or one that was stripped in during a prior repair / or from the factory.