HELP; Advice needed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DavidWeis · #1 01-14-2004, 01:28 PM

HI,
I need some advice. I just purchased a 98 sl500 which I then brought to Estate Moters MB Dealer in Westchester.

I had them do a level b service, and asked them to check out the car for problems. After they charged me a bunch, they said all was well (they did fix a hose and 2 lights), including saying I had 30% left on the front brakes.

Since the car needed new tires, I brought it to another mechanic who currently has the car. He called me about 2 hours ago and said he couldn't get the front tires off, since the bolts were on too tight (using a torc wrench). I told him to go ahead and try to take a few off using force. He just called back and said the first one broke, and he doesn't want to do any more until he can get the 'part' in his hand to replace these broken bolts.

So, the MB Dealer put bolts back on the car to tight, and now they've broken..what can I do?

D

mark cummins · #2 01-14-2004, 01:36 PM

I Would Call The Service manager at the MB dealer and tell them whats Up! And Ask to have the car brought back to the dealer
SO The Service Manager can Inspect this with the Shop Foreman.
Then The Tech will get his Butt Chewed out !And MAYBE turn the air down on the 1/2 inch impact..Snap on sells a Very nice Torque socket ..just for this!..Might want to ask to see IF they use it..and ask IF he knows what a TORQUE wrench is :p

That is Why I have a Torque wrench in my car with the correct socket..I get the dirty looks from the techs...BUT I can get the wheels off!

DavidWeis · #3 01-14-2004, 01:39 PM

I just spoke with the MB service rep. He said that the tech did not take the wheels off to check the breaks, that they did it from under the car? In other words, he told me 'not my shop'.

What do I do?

HELP>..

mark cummins · #4 01-14-2004, 01:59 PM

I Would Read The Service Manual In The Owners handbook ... on the B service(Major) The 129 SL
gets a tire rotation....NO? Then he (The Dealer) is Busted
for work NOT done....
The 129s had the same size wheel / tire combo so the tire rotation is done...Unless its a AMG / Sport 129 sl

IF its in the Book... .....I Would have the Tire Shop do the Repairs and SAVE all the old lug bolts...Then Go back to the dealer and have a chat with the GENERAL Manager..re this Matter...
If That does Not work ..Small claims court May be of help?

DavidWeis · #5 01-14-2004, 02:33 PM

Thanks..That is very comforting that the MB Dealer missed something; HOWEVER: I'm still confused about how I get out of this situation without droping another grand or two.

The shop will not do anything today, I'm assuming, since they don't want to tie up their shop, so is car still is drivable with one lugnut off the front wheel?

Also, what do I have to do to get these tires off, and the whole problem fixed..I'm miles from home, and have to drive that thing tonight.

Comments?

D

dmorrison · #6 01-14-2004, 02:42 PM

Talk to the area service rep.
Before a Mercedes dealer sells a car they do a 120 or so point inspection of the car.
1 this should have had the wheels checked.
2. they sold it to you and the first time the wheels are removed you have a problem.
Not a very good check of the car. Not a very ggod reputation for there dealer. The over torquing of the lig bolts can warp the rotors and is incorrect.

Again call the dealer and ask for the area Mercedes reps number. explain the situation and see if he can help. Then if nothing happens call Mercedes Benz USA and *****. 1800 FOR MERCEDES

Dave

DavidWeis · #7 01-14-2004, 02:50 PM

Thanks.I have to say though, the Estate did not sell me the car. I bought the car through a used dealer, and brought it to Estate to have it checked out. They went through the car, and then suggested a Service B. The total costs came out to around $1100. They said there were no problems to the car that they did not take care of.

I'm suprised they did not take the tires off for this check, and distrubed if they did. I can't verify either way.

I will say the fronts have lost of wear; while the backs are relativly new.

Sigh.

afmcorp · #8 01-14-2004, 04:03 PM

hello

well you have caught the dealer admitting something. first he claims they did not take the tires off to check the pad wear. on the other hand you were billed for and paid for the B service which it sounds as if the standard is to remove and rotate the tires. so.... what is it mr. dealer are you lying to me or screwing me?

IMHO....as for the lugs having one broke, i go back in time to the early 70's when chevy first came out with the full time fwd. they use to snap lug bolts on the front quite frequently and we drove on them without a problem. i would chance it but just don't go indy 500 and you should make it just fine.

someone help me here... but did he go in the right direction. again long time ago mopar used right hand lugs on the left and left hand lugs on the right. theory being that the lugs would be self tighting rotating in that direction. mbz practice of over kill may have them doing the same thing. just guessing here i've never even looked at taking a tire off yet.

DavidWeis · #9 01-25-2004, 09:03 PM

Tis finally over. I had the bolts removed ; 2 broke.

Cost me 6 hours in labor. Sound right?

Also had to get myself 10 new bolts..at 5.50 a pop. Could have been worse, I could have $8 a pop. Did you know Mercedes changed the design?

SUCKS!