Shop ruined my gf's alignment, need some advice

[bigrobwoot]

So what you're saying is, I just need to eat the $90, because using Cory won't hold up as proof that they fucked it up, and no other shop will put their name behind that? Or I'm a dick for asking Cory to do so? Both maybe? Haha. I'm not trying to use it as evidence in court, just to show them that, according to a professional, they fucked her alignment. If that is out of line, I'm sorry Cory.

[bigrobwoot]

Dean, what is BCT?

[100_Percent_Juice]

Black Cory Tuning

Sorry Rob. I didn't think it was possible to do that while replacing a clutch.

[bigrobwoot]

Haha me neither. I don't blame you, but I do blame myself for not listening to my gut. Either way, even after an alignment, I think it's still gonna be cheaper than a clutch install anywhere else. I just gotta try and find that $100 bill I keep in my ass for emergencies...

[sperry]

How about putting the car on some jackstands, getting some string, a pair of open ended wrenches, and fixing the toe in your driveway for free?

Here are some tips:

http://www.seccs.org/forums/showthread.php?t=808

[Dean]

Turn the wheel all the way to lock each way. If they don't match, then they likely did what I said earlier, misaligned the wheel to the rack.

If you have access to the shop manual, or a web howto, you could also see if it requires the sub frame to be dropped, or the rack unhooked...

[100_Percent_Juice]

...wow

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

Turn the wheel all the way to lock each way. If they don't match, then they likely did what I said earlier, misaligned the wheel to the rack.

If you have access to the shop manual, or a web howto, you could also see if it requires the sub frame to be dropped, or the rack unhooked...

The thing is... the rack, subframe, tie-rods, etc don't need to be touched at all to do the clutch. I'd look for something bent... like crashed into a curb bent.

[Dean]

OK. Not knowing what is required for clutch on a Jetta, I was guessing it is transversely mounted, and might require getting stuff out of the way.

[100_Percent_Juice]

Ah. Possible joy ride. Rob, how long did they have the car?

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

OK. Not knowing what is required for clutch on a Jetta, I was guessing it is transversely mounted, and might require getting stuff out of the way.

Wait... I forgot we were talking about a Jetta. I don't know shit about that... for all I know, the fuel tank has to come out to do the clutch.

[bigrobwoot]

According to Pat at Big O, the subframe does have to
one off to do the clutch. He said that's probably what they put back wrong, because it's really hard to line it back up straight. But what dean is saying about the steering rack might be it also, because the steering wheel turns a little farther right than left. Also, the wheels aren't damaged and the weights are still on them, so I don't think they crashed into a curb.

Originally Posted by sperry

The thing is... the rack, subframe, tie-rods, etc don't need to be touched at all to do the clutch. I'd look for something bent... like crashed into a curb bent.

Joel, I kinda doubt they had a joy ride in a ~100 chp car... But they had it from thursday night to Friday afternoon. And now that you mention it, of course I forgot to write down the mileage when I dropped it off

[MPREZIV]

Originally Posted by bigrobwoot

... When she comes in, should she just ask to talk to Cory? ...

No, she should ask for Steve. That's the way to get ahold of me...

BTW, if the steering wheel/linkage was put back misaligned, the toe on the front tires would still be even, just the steering wheel would be off while the car was driving straight. The subframe being off, or a tie rod being improperly installed is a more likely culprit.

Aaron's correct, in that I was simply offering a professional eye to help find the problem. If you go back over there and say "my friend's a mechanic and he said the problem is (x) and you guys have to fix it" they're gonna laugh in your face. That's what I do when people come in and tell be about their "friend the mechanic".

[bigrobwoot]

Oh. Well shit. I'll say I threw it up on a lift and took a look then lol. I told her to be there at noon. Just let her know what the problem is, and either you or her can call me if need be. Thanks Cory.

[cody]

Wait, you have a GF?

[bigrobwoot]

That's the only reason my gay jokes are funny. If I were single, I'd be just as homophobic as the next guy lol

[sperry]

Originally Posted by bigrobwoot

That's the only reason my gay jokes are funny. If I were single, I'd be just as homophobic as the next guy lol

Who's this "next guy"? Your boyfriend?

[MPREZIV]

Hooray for not putting the lower ball joint together correctly!!!!

VW uses a ball joint with a plate on it, having three holes, that bolt to the LCA. One of those bolts was installed correctly... needless to say, it's fixed now.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

Hooray for not putting the lower ball joint together correctly!!!!

VW uses a ball joint with a plate on it, having three holes, that bolt to the LCA. One of those bolts was installed correctly... needless to say, it's fixed now.

Send a bill to the other shop.

[bigrobwoot]

Thank you so much Cory! I can officially say that Cory saved my girlfriend's and my life! Haha. Not to mention, $90 for an alignment

[Dean]

All the original shop had to do was offer to put it up on their rack and look.

Not sure if Nissan/Cory did paperwork/charged you anything, but no matter what, I'd be tempted to go back to the other shop and tell them what they did, and what they should have done. Only to talk to the manager. The liability alone of not connecting a ball joint correctly is huge...

I'd mention the BBB and their insurance company if needed. I'd also mention that this issue is already posted on local automotive forums and many people are waiting to see how it is resolved...

Any remotely intelligent manager will realize he is not just losing 1 customer, but potentially hundreds and make it right...

[bigrobwoot]

That's the part that made me most upset, is that they wouldn't even look at it. The thing is, "shop" may be a bit exaggerated when referring to this place. It's a plywood shed with a bunch of mexicans and jackstands. Going in to a shop with that low of a quote for a cluth, I didn't expect much less, but I do think they could have just looked at it real quick.

I was planning on going over there today after work and letting them know how easily it was fixed. And no, Cory didn't charge, and he did it on his lunch break. I offered him lunch, but apparently he doesn't like wendy's haha. All in all, I'd say that the lesson I learned is: you get what you pay for. I'm just tired of learning this lesson the hard way... I'll grow up someday, and start doing things correctly

[sperry]

Boy, sounds like a great place.

Not only would I not bother going back to them about the ball-joint. I'd worry about whether or not the clutch was done correctly and would think about getting it inspected.

[cody]

Originally Posted by sperry

Boy, sounds like a great place.

Not only would I not bother going back to them about the ball-joint. I'd worry about whether or not the clutch was done correctly and would think about getting it inspected.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by cody

Why?

Would you trust anyone that can't figure out how to install a bolt and uses jackstands and a plywood shack to run their automotive repair business to swap a clutch, regardless of their race?

How about quoting Rob instead of me... he's the one pointing out race.