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So I just had my frame replaced on my '09 base 4x4 tacoma at a local dealership.
They mentioned they'll assemble a list of other things they could do either for no labor (part of reassembly of frame), reduced labor, or full labor.
Several things on the list were utter bullshit -- they wanted $400 (apparently parts only) to replace my engine belt. Politely reminded them I could buy this same belt at Napa for $20, guy gets super defensive, claims it's at least $120, showed him receipt as I had actually bought one several weeks prior in anticipation of needing to replace it (squealing, at 90,000 miles anyway).
I told them after that questionable quote, I was highly skeptical of any additional work they had quoted me and would either do it myself, or bring to my trusted mechanic.
The only other notable piece they quoted was my front struts. Figured I've got the tools to handle this job myself, and figured I'd give it a go...
Everything was proceeding smoothly, except I cannot get the three upper mount nuts off for the life of me (what holds the strut into the frame). I broke two 3/8 ratchets (all that could fit up there, lifetime guarantees at that), and am left wondering if they might have significantly over-tightened.
So 2 questions...
1. Is it possible the dealership over-tightened? Should I go to them first? Would they actually do something like this?
2. It should be torqued to about 60 ft. lbs... this would be no problem with a breaker bar but is the fact that I can only fit a 3/8 ratchet down there the real issue?
I may not believe in marriage, but I do believe in best men. | |
Have you tried a air ratchet and impact? I know you said space was tight but is that a possibility? Did they have any reason to mess with those?
Ezekiel 25:17 | |
Posted by jeepdave
Have you tried a air ratchet and impact? I know you said space was tight but is that a possibility? Did they have any reason to mess with those?
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I've got a cheapo electric ratchet (20v cordless), which did fit in there, but nowhere near enough torque... impact wrench won't fit without moving panels & what not.
I wound up bringing it to my neighbor who happens to be a mechanic, he's doing both struts for $150 (already had the parts)... he thinks that when they were reassembling the frame, they took off the wheel well and tightened the old strut back on with an impact wrench.
Guess I'll figure out what the deal is when I get home... lol
I may not believe in marriage, but I do believe in best men. | |
60 ft lbs shouldn't be much of a task for a regular 3/8" ratchet. Sounds like they got blasted in with an impact gun.
hi i like cars | |
400 bucks for a serpentine belt??
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Posted by Agent Skelly
400 bucks for a serpentine belt??
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lol... a friend of mine's mom has a 2015 Buick Encore, the little crossover, same thing mechanically as a Chevy Trax. Anyhoo, the dealership where she bought it just tried to soak her $500 for a transmission and differential service. Never mind the car is three years old with less than 40,000 miles on it. Never mind the service schedule in the manual doesn't even call for a service until 100,000 miles+. Never mind she just lost her husband of 35 years... the dealer basically tried to fuck over this woman because they figured she didn't know any better. Luckily, her daughter called me first.
some dealers are just fucking evil shit. Christopher Chevrolet-Buick in Ticonderoga is one of those shit dealers.
[last edit 6/7/2018 7:05 AM by Samurai - edited 1 times]
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Posted by Agent Skelly
400 bucks for a serpentine belt??
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hey, last week needed a ball joint on the Kia, my mechanic called his supplier... table was dealer only, called KIA 435$, called hyundai 600$. he said to order from rock and he would install, order a Moog from rock, 210$... it arrives... brand new... KIA/Hyundai OEM part!!! in a moog box
Montreal Expos 1969-2004 Forever Proud Lets Keep The Dream Alive | |
Posted by bandi
60 ft lbs shouldn't be much of a task for a regular 3/8" ratchet. Sounds like they got blasted in with an impact gun.
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Oh it definitely did. I brought it back to the dealership with a friend who is a mechanic, demanded they attempt to pull it off with a ratchet. They could not.
They refused to admit they were lazy and just used an impact wrench. I screamed at their customer service manager and got Toyota corporate on the line, who is supposed to contact me in the coming weeks. Lol.
Posted by Agent Skelly
400 bucks for a serpentine belt??
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Yep. I also took off the belt right in front of them, showed them it was perfectly fine, no cracks, etc. etc. Turns out the previous owner had actually replaced it at like about 65,000 miles (looked in the manual for maintenance records, maybe should have done that earlier...). Announced to everyone in the dealership that I had received exceptionally bullshit service and I would advise they bring their business elsewhere.
I refused to leave the store until I spoke with a customer service manager (see above), otherwise I would need to be escorted out by the police.
Posted by Samurai
lol... a friend of mine's mom has a 2015 Buick Encore, the little crossover, same thing mechanically as a Chevy Trax. Anyhoo, the dealership where she bought it just tried to soak her $500 for a transmission and differential service. Never mind the car is three years old with less than 40,000 miles on it. Never mind the service schedule in the manual doesn't even call for a service until 100,000 miles+. Never mind she just lost her husband of 35 years... the dealer basically tried to fuck over this woman because they figured she didn't know any better. Luckily, her daughter called me first.
some dealers are just fucking evil shit. Christopher Chevrolet-Buick in Ticonderoga is one of those shit dealers.
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Yeah, I've never had good things to say about dealerships, but this really took the cake for me.
I work in digital marketing and have made it my mission to make this dealership's life an absolute nightmare on the internet for reputation management. So far so good!
I may not believe in marriage, but I do believe in best men. |
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