Double Check Your Nuts

LeePTI

TJ Enthusiast
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Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2017
Messages
354
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Evidently the mechanic who replaced my steering damper shock recently, did not tighten the base end mounting bolt, nor did he use a cotter pin on this nut like he did on the other one. Easy mistake. (Double check!)

Result: The shock came loose and jammed the tie rod. When made a U- Turn, the power steering was powerful enough to bend the tie rod. Great guys at Big-O in Denver got me back on the road in 2 hours. (Almost $600).

Could have been a lot more serious.
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Id be so pissed! Did you have a shop install that damper shock, or was it a 'guy working out of his home garage'?


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Dude you should take your receipt to the original shop and demand that they pay it. That's inexcusable.

People make mistakes - we all do - but you shouldn't have to pay for it!


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Update: 4 Wheel Parts did the work. There locations in Denver were already closed. I called my guy in Vegas. He was very apologetic, not defensive at all. Said I could go to 4WP on Monday and they'd fix it for free or I could go to Big-O, Goodyear, Sears, etc now. Bring him the receipt when I get back home and 4WP would refund the cost of repairs.

One mechanic was rushed and slipped up. 4WP immediately to responsibility and are paying for the mistake. I can't ask for more.

What impressed me at Big-O was their senior mechanic rechecked my mechanic's work before releasing the vehicle. That's a great policy!

Big-O, Golden CO. Chris is the manager. Honest shop. I'd recommend them.
 
Wow, that's scary! At least they are taking care of it. Thanks for sharing this!
 
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Sad to say that I've heard too many stories like this about 4WParts, and avoid them like the plague, as they say, as an install shop.
 
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Mistakes happen. It comes down to how they handle it. Sounds like they are doing the right thing:emoji_thumbsup:
 
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Having worked for 4Wheel Parts parent company years ago and spending much time in a half-dozen of their store shops, I have to say I'm no fan either. Senior shop management (above the store shop level) is more interested in fast installations than they are making sure all jobs are properly installed and completed. I got in more than one argument over doing things the right way rather than the cheapest/fastest way.

One 4WP area shop manager even refused to believe what the proper drivetrain angles were supposed to believe after installing a CV driveshaft, he just wasn't technically astute on such things. One of the new trucks I had them install a suspension lifts on had a major drivetrain vibration and I tried to explain how to get rid of the vibration but he was not going to have any salesman (me) explaining anything like drivetrain geometry to him. It went from me trying to carefully/quietly explain the fix to him to a shouting match in the shop. I finally figured out he wasn't about to back down due to his mechanics being able to hear it.
 
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4WP shop in CLE is always busy and I'm always afraid they make this type of mistakes due the rush. Personally have them just do my tires install. Pretty sure they will equally accept their responsability if anything like this happen, what is good.
Have a Senior or other mechanic check the work is very good policy and save many headaches to the customer and business.
Glad you was able to resolve the issue.
 
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Least they took responsibility. That's well enough. And good to read it all worked out.




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I feel positive but it won't be settled until I get back to Vegas next week, show them bill, and they pay for 100% (or credit). I will update the thread. For now, its handling well.

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Final Update: I went into my 4 Wheel Parts today. My salesman was expecting me. He was very apologetic, took full responsibly, and had a full $580 refund ready to cover my expenses. There was not one word of excuses or dodging. IMO- They did the right thing. I will continue doing business with them.
[emoji5]

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Final Update: I went into my 4 Wheel Parts today. My salesman was expecting me. He was very apologetic, took full responsibly, and had a full $580 refund ready to cover my expenses. There was not one word of excuses or dodging. IMO- They did the right thing. I will continue doing business with them.
[emoji5]

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Good for them, that's what I like to hear!

Customer service these days is paramount.
 
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