Why I Don't Let Nobody Touch my Car - They're Trying to Kill Me !!

Swanicyouth

Swanicyouth

New member
So, I know I've posted before about the automotive repair business and mechanics doing sloppy & rushed work. This isn't just me looking from the outside in, but I worked as a flat rate tech for 7 years - so I've seen it first hand.

While I don't let nobody do nothing to my cars if I can help it, unfortunately I don't have the facilities or the equipment to do things like alignments,body work, state inspection, emissions, tire mounting/balancing - etc...

So, in August I went to a "new to me" local BMW shop that was recommended to me by several on M3 Forums for inspection, emissions, & 4 wheel alignment. I'm not going to name the shop (non-dealer BMW specialist shop).

But, today, for an unrelated issue - I pulled my wheels off. As always I look around... Look what I found:

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Now for those not familiar - they never tightened up the pinch nut for the outer tie rod. Loosening this is 100% required to do an alignment (adjust front toe) - and front toe is adjusted during every alignment (always a little out of whack - I've done hundreds / thousands? of alignments).

This nut not being tight means it's just a matter of time before the inner and outer tie rods separate - causing you loose STEERING CONTROL of the affected wheel (right) and for the wheel to flop completely in / out while your driving on the steering axis. Not to mention the alignments angles are out (toe) and my $1000 worth of tires are scrubbing down the road cock-eyed.

This can result in a crash....accident....death...doom.

Please. Buyer beware. Be very careful who you let touch your car. While I will have these people re-align the vehicle, I will inspect it after and never return. The only reason I went to this shop is because they were supposed to be "BMW alignment specialists", installing coil overs and all that nonsense.

I guess I'm going back to the dealer for this type of work I can't do at home - never seen anything like this come out of my dealer Otto's BMW in West Chester PA. Should have stuck with them.


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Yeah, that's pretty terrible. Otto's is great. Mind PM'ing me the shop in question so I never end up there?
 
Well that sucks! Im going to have to check mine now..........I just had an alignment and they had to replace the whole rack and pinion because of a seal leak. Good thing I got that extended warranty!

I always check my wheels and have found loose lug nuts after being worked on at shops!:blink:
 
After having an oil change done at the dealership (I got 3 year free oil changes is the only reason I let them do it) I went to refill the washer fluid and found my oil filler cap gone and oil all over the engine. I made them tow it into their shop so they couldn't blame me for any damage that might have occurred due to the missing cap/low oil level. Needless to say that was the last time they touched my car.
 
It never ceases to amaze me the lack of quality work that is served out even by the very best shops. I am not as handy as you, and I rely on shops to do a lot of the work. After leaving dealer service in favor of good indy shops (less $), I am back to dealers as I find they are overall better. That said, I find more times than not, they fix one thing a mess up another!
 
That is shameful, the pride in workmanship seems to go down every year. More and more employees just want to do enough not to get fired so they can get paid and go home. That is an extremely dangerous part to leave unfinished and warrants triple checking by the tech. I prefer doing my own work for them same reason cant trust others but as you said some things require tools and equipment I cant justify buying for my self. Then you are stuck crossing your fingers and hoping you go one of their god techs.
 
Been a while since I've been under one but most vehicles with rack and pinion steering using a jam (pinch) nut. I did a quick parts look up and tie rod end sleeves didn't pop up for the Prius. What year is yours?

Edit: the pictures I'm seeing show a jam not on the Prius.

Look at your new Rack and Pinion. Follow it out towards the wheel. You should see the inner tie rod end thread into the outer tie rod end. There should be a jam not on the inner tie rod end that butts up against the outer tie rod end.
 
GearHead_1 said:
Been a while since I've been under one but most vehicles with rack and pinion steering using a jam (pinch) nut. I did a quick parts look up and tie rod end sleeves didn't pop up for the Prius. What year is yours?

Edit: the pictures I'm seeing show a jam not on the Prius.

Look at your new Rack and Pinion. Follow it out towards the wheel. You should see the inner tie rod end thread into the outer tie rod end. There should be a jam not on the inner tie rod end that butts up against the outer tie rod end.
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yeah my Prius :lol2: There is just one nut.

I will take a pic if I can .Its such a tight squeeze to get under my "Prius"LOL

Thanks for you Help GH!:bigups
 
Don said:
After having an oil change done at the dealership (I got 3 year free oil changes is the only reason I let them do it) I went to refill the washer fluid and found my oil filler cap gone and oil all over the engine. I made them tow it into their shop so they couldn't blame me for any damage that might have occurred due to the missing cap/low oil level. Needless to say that was the last time they touched my car.
Click to expand...

Thats really bad!:wow:What was their response?More free oil changes:redface:?
 
So both your Sienna and your Prius have jam nuts? ;)

I checked out for a bit. I was thinking you really did have one. You've messed with my head too many times by bringing the Prius up. Just insert Sienna where I typed Prius, information is the same.
 
GearHead_1 said:
So both your Sienna and your Prius have jam nuts? ;)

I checked out for a bit. I was thinking you really did have one. You've messed with my head too many times by bringing the Prius up. Just insert Sienna where I typed Prius, information is the same.
Click to expand...
:gotcha:

One of these days I will have a Prius ! When they make a mini van!
 
So I have an appointment with the shop on Wed to get the car re-aligned. Obviously, I tightened the jamb nut so I don't die driving to this place. Sent the shop own the pics I posted. I didn't attack them like an a-hole in my email - I just said I noticed this issue and need to get it fixed.

The funny thing is performance type BMW mod dudes stroke this shop to no end. Maybe this is just an isolated screw up? Maybe you gotta get a super charger with an Alpha-n tune / catless headers and a Brembo BBK for them to get it all right.
 
Scary. This is why I do all that I can myself to my MB. Oil changes, filter changes, brake fluid flushes, and brake jobs. For one it saves big time money (MB, BMW have crazy hourly rates), second I enjoy working on my own cars, and three peace of mind knowing it's done right.
 
I`m an apprentice mechanic, how ever have done around ten years of work on my own cars, i am better than most qualified guys....That is foul, i would be getting pretty agro at them!!
 
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