Sad repair story, don't let this happen to you - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jbach36 · #1 04-20-2007, 10:51 PM

Ooooh my God.

I try to take pretty good care of my car, I hop on most any problem right away. No sense letting it just get worse.

I had some weird, VERY low vibration sound. It was so low, it was sort of painful. Does it when you're just inching along in bumper to bumper traffic and are just barely accelerating.

I took it to a German auto specialist. They called me, said it was the flex disc, it was starting to dryrot, could come out in chunks, could happen at any time, and it's $350 to fix it. I was like, $350??? So I called a parts place, they said the part was $92, and it was "easy to put in". I declined to have the repair done, they charged me $42 for the diagnosis.

After picking the part, I posted the question as to how hard to replace, and has some good and bad responses. The thought of jacking the car up and having it completely over me wasn't attractive. Ultimately, I took it to another, lower cost mechanic who I trust, he helped me on a previous bad problem. I was stupid enough to take the part to him and ask him to replace it, he offered to do it for $125. I should have told him what the problem was, and let him diagnose it. At any rate, I'm now out $42 + $92 + $125 = $259.

When I went to pick up my car the next day, there were 2 new scratches on it. I'm assuming one of his employees did it. The mechanic did replace the part, and gave me the old one. It wasn't dryrotted AT ALL. The holes where the screws go through were a little loose on 2 of the 6 holes. I drive the car, same low vibration. The original diagnosis was wrong, and the disc was not dryrotted. I'm out $259 plus the time and effort, am left with the same problem and 2 new scratches.

If I go back to the original place, they'll come up with some excuse as to why they were right, or try to push blame on the other guy, or say the disc was part of the problem. It's a battle I'll never win.

What a ripoff. Try to keep your car up, and this is what you get. I can't continue to do that.

Jeff 1991 300d, 105k

Cervan · #2 04-20-2007, 11:00 PM

this is the reason i never take it to any place to get it serviced.

#3 04-20-2007, 11:15 PM

this is why i became my own mechanic

crashone · #4 04-21-2007, 12:13 AM

What about the other flex disc?

pawoSD · #5 04-21-2007, 01:41 AM

Engine mounts? Tranny mount?

I can't see how you'd get a low vibration sound from a flex disc...makes no sense....if you're creeping along in traffic the driveshaft is turning maybe 10-15rpm?

Has to be a mount for something else.....

t walgamuth · #6 04-21-2007, 07:23 AM

[QUOTE=jbach36;1486218]Ooooh my God.

I try to take pretty good care of my car, I hop on most any problem right away. No sense letting it just get worse.

I had some weird, VERY low vibration sound. It was so low, it was sort of painful. Does it when you're just inching along in bumper to bumper traffic and are just barely accelerating.

I took it to a German auto specialist. They called me, said it was the flex disc, it was starting to dryrot, could come out in chunks, could happen at any time, and it's $350 to fix it. I was like, $350??? So I called a parts place, they said the part was $92, and it was "easy to put in". I declined to have the repair done, they charged me $42 for the diagnosis.

After picking the part, I posted the question as to how hard to replace, and has some good and bad responses. The thought of jacking the car up and having it completely over me wasn't attractive. Ultimately, I took it to another, lower cost mechanic who I trust, he helped me on a previous bad problem. I was stupid enough to take the part to him and ask him to replace it, he offered to do it for $125. I should have told him what the problem was, and let him diagnose it. At any rate, I'm now out $42 + $92 + $125 = $259.

When I went to pick up my car the next day, there were 2 new scratches on it. I'm assuming one of his employees did it. The mechanic did replace the part, and gave me the old one. It wasn't dryrotted AT ALL. The holes where the screws go through were a little loose on 2 of the 6 holes. I drive the car, same low vibration. The original diagnosis was wrong, and the disc was not dryrotted. I'm out $259 plus the time and effort, am left with the same problem and 2 new scratches.

If I go back to the original place, they'll come up with some excuse as to why they were right, or try to push blame on the other guy, or say the disc was part of the problem. It's a battle I'll never win.

you'll have that. don't beat yourself up over it.

tom w
............

deerefanatic · #7 04-21-2007, 07:53 AM

yah man, it happens..... Though I can't rightly sympathize because I do all my own work.....

but, My dad and I just finished putting our Ford 4000 utility tractor's engine back together..... Full engine rebuild. Tried to start it yesterday....... I won't start and number three cylinder has 60 psi versus 120 & 135 for the other two.... You want to talk about disgusting, that's it!

Think on the bright side, you don't have to worry about the flex disc any time soon......

MayorDJQ · #8 04-21-2007, 09:36 AM

Have the wheel bearings been checked?

kerry · #9 04-21-2007, 10:01 AM

Yes, it happens. Sorry.

I don't remember you posting the exact symptoms back on the flex disc thread. If you post the symptoms you can get people's opinions on the validity of the diagnosis. I think a lot of people here would have been sceptical of the diagnosis, given the symptoms.

JackG · #10 04-21-2007, 01:44 PM

I have learned some of these lessons myself. Last year I had what was best described as a knock in the 6 cyl. engine of my Wrangler. After going to 6 mechanics fofr estimates, 2 said it was a timing chain 2 said it was a lifter(one wanted to rip the motor apart to make sure before giving me a price) 1 said it was a main bearing and the whole engine needed to be rebuilt, one guy said it could be either a lifter or chain.......he couldn't tell for sure.I called a family member up north who has always been a great "backyard" grease monkey.He gave me steps to check the timing chain, it was streached......BAD. I replaced it myself in less than 4 hrs.

Moral of the story(true)
A wise man takes counsel, but checks for himself.

There is enough info available to you for a self diagnoses. If you don't want to do the work yourself that's fine, but educate yourself before going anywhere to have it done

bgkast · #11 04-21-2007, 02:03 PM

Take a look at the other flex disk...I bet they replaced the wrong one.

dieseldiehard · #12 04-21-2007, 08:40 PM

May as well replace the driveshaft support (p/n 123 410 10 81) while your having the OTHER flex disc replaced, often its the rubber worn in it and that allows the driveshaft bearing to wander around, this usually makes the car feel like its shaking and an odd sound at take off.

Then there's the driveshaft bearing, but why not shotgun the me$$ and be done with it!
Do Not put it off any longer just because you got a bad diagnosis or something!
There are people that had a flex joint fail and the drive shaft suddenly tears free and comes up thru the floor of the car and there is substantial damage when the drive shaft has to be replaced!

THAT WILL BE A TRULY SAD STORY!

PS. I see a new flex disc is only $51 here at the SHopforum. I get them for much less but that's another story NOT for publication

jbach36 · #13 04-21-2007, 10:41 PM

A few of you asked about me diagnosing it myself and asking questions on the forum. Rather than reply to each person, I'll just post here.

I did ask about the vibration, I don't think anyone replied back. As far as me diagnosing it myself, that'd be hard to do. The sound comes on a slow crawl forward. I can't diagnose when driving.

As far as if they got the right disc, they told me it was the front one. The front and rear discs are different. The mechanic who ultimately put the disc in put in to the right area.

Thanks,

Jeff

bgkast · #14 04-22-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbach36

As far as if they got the right disc, they told me it was the front one. The front and rear discs are different. The mechanic who ultimately put the disc in put in to the right area.

Oops....thought you had an older 300D

Hatterasguy · #15 04-22-2007, 06:45 PM

As the engine and trans mounts age, its normal to get some vibrations because everything works its way out of alighnment. I'd start by replacing those, then move on to the drive shaft center bearing and support.