I took the 82 240D formerly known as Pancakes to a local repair and alignment shop to cure the pulling. (not my normal indy, but this shop has an alignment rack and in the past has been good at that). As I suspected it showed a bent trailing arm. I took over the part and they installed it, taking 2 weeks which I thought a bit excessive. I went to pick up the car and as I headed home I noticed a tap tap tapping which it had not had before and it still was pulling to the right. I went back and he said it needed the tires rotated and it would drive straight. So I asked him to see what was tapping and rotate the tires so I could verify it was tracking. First visit cost about $400. I felt this was just a little high maybe $40 or so but paid without complaining.

So it took them another 2 weeks in spite of the fact that they seem to not be doing much business these days. So I picked it up today and he said it would be another $100. I said what for? He said to get rid of the tapping they had to switch the sway bar link and in doing so broke a bolt and had to drill and tap it. I said I'd been working on these old Mercedes for 30 years and in all that time had broken maybe 2 bolts. He said nevertheless they broke in spite of them being careful. He charged me $15 to rotate the tires.

I was not feeling good about this now. So I asked for a test drive to verify the repairs. He said no, pay me and you can test it all you want.

So I paid him and came home but I am still a little peeved.

Am I being unfair to him?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.