pete280z Posted November 28, 2006 Share Posted November 28, 2006 WARNING: full on rant follows So yesterday morning I took my struts and stub axles by a shop that advertised as having a "full service machine shop" to have the wheel bearings replaced. I brought all the bearings and oil seals required. All of my parts had recently been cleaned and painted and all the fasteners had been replaced. Then I left my phone number in case they had any problems or questions. So I pick them up today. The first thing I noticed is that I'm going to be stripping and painting again. Second, the oil seals are totally fubared. Then the dimwit that installed them said that since he didn't know what kind of grease I wanted he installed everything dry and I could grease through the zerk. The bill for this handiwork was $100. When I asked them to make it right I got a little bit of a runaround, but pretty quickly they agreed to correct it. At one point they said "we really prefer to get parts exactly how they came off the car so we know how they go back together." How they thought it was better to guess than to call is a little beyond me. When I offered to photocopy the FSM so they could know exactly what to do they got offended. That press at Northern Tool does not look so expensive any more. Lesson learned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big-phil Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 I'll have to remember not to go there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sumo Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 What's the name of the shop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete280z Posted November 29, 2006 Author Share Posted November 29, 2006 The name is Brown's Automotive in Grapevine. Now that I've had a beer, I'm willing to let them make it right. The last thing I want to do is badmouth a whole shop because of one idiot employee. I'm stopping by first thing in the morning to explain exactly what I want done. Do you guys have any shops to recommend for next time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrel Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Don't forget about the letter stamp on the distance pieces and strut housings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete280z Posted November 29, 2006 Author Share Posted November 29, 2006 Fortunately I'm 90% sure I've got two B's. The new grease seals were there this morning, and were Nissan parts. Much nicer than the ones I got from AZC. If I don't get a good feeling when they're done today it's all coming apart when it gets back home anyway. A side question: Are there any cars you guys know of that it is appropriate install new wheel bearings dry? Seems odd to me, but I haven't done this too many times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sumo Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Isn't it the rule of thumb to always pack the wheel bearings with first? Unless it's some kinda sealed bearing, i've never heard of it going in dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete280z Posted November 30, 2006 Author Share Posted November 30, 2006 Well it looks like they got it right this time. Looks like they went overboard on the grease situation. There is green grease everywhere! Certainly better than the original execution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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