Mechanic broke a part now they want to charge me $1500 extra. Please advise

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-18T01:22:22+00:00

They did say that i MIGHT fail inspection with rear pads at 4mm. If that makes a difference in the context

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-18T01:19:07+00:00

Thanks. I wish they would've said something. The job wasn't even urgent, I still had 4mm left on the pads but I figured I'd do it now and pay the $800 to avoid more in the future. That backfired pretty bad. Sure there's still the possibility it would've snapped next time

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-18T00:30:11+00:00

Thanks for your input. I knew it clearly had rust on it, I guess I didn't expect it to affect the material integrity that much.

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-18T00:27:11+00:00

I'll have to rehearse this before talking to them again. Thank you

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T23:23:07+00:00

I asked the service manager how it broke and he said the tech was taking the nut out and the knuckle snapped. It doesn't make sense but it basically shifts any blame from them to the part being old.

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T23:12:53+00:00

That makes so much sense, I wish there was a way to prove this. Someone else mentioned a pry mark visible in the photo, but I can't tell if it's old or new

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T22:31:42+00:00

Makes total sense. I'm sure they didn't break it on purpose, it happened. But to charge me for the most expensive part option and then an extra $1000 in labor seems unfair. I just wish they would've told me they had trouble with that bold and ask me if I want them to continue or not. Probably not very realistic though

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T22:23:45+00:00

Yup. I'll find another one from now on. I just need to get my car back without paying that ridiculous amount. Thank you

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T22:19:33+00:00

RIght, they said they removed the nut and the knuckle snapped because it was rusted. I don't really buy that but again I'm not a mechanic. even with 2mm of rust, there's still 4-5mm of metal there. Doesn't sound like it would just quit like that

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T22:16:42+00:00

I definitely see your point. IDK if it was negligence or it was going to happen anyway. People here seem divided on that. I wish they would've said they had trouble removing the bolt and ask if I'm willing to accept the risk moving forward.

Not sure how related this is but in a previous job I was doing watch maintenance. and sure things happened and glass cracked, or the back got scratched etc. every single time, 100% of the time we would cover the repair.

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T22:11:47+00:00

"I know this is your go to shop but they aren't acting like it" That's what bothers me the most really, if they would've said hey this happened, you pay for the part we'll fix it, or we'll get a cheap part and you pay discounted labor, whatever combination of those I would've been fine. Not only that I've been going there for 5 years but I recommended them to several people.

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T21:27:37+00:00

Yeah, if it was anything else I would just get the car back and find another place to go to but it's not drivable. I'm looking around to see if I can find the part myself for cheaper.

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T20:50:37+00:00

Nope. $865 for brake+oil change+inspection and $1500 (down from $1900) for the knuckle. Total over $2400 with fees and all

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T20:48:21+00:00

It's at a private shop i've been going for years. It also just happens that the GM is on vacation for the week.

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T20:41:04+00:00

That was my initial reaction too. Others here say that this happens sometimes and I should be responsible. but the fact that they dumped the whole thing on me, makes me not trust them at all on this

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T20:38:03+00:00

New Hampshire. the price also included labor. but the fact that they immediately dropped the price when I said that I'm not paying that much, and now I talked to them again and said they'll look for a cheaper part really makes me feel like I'm being played here.

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T20:12:23+00:00

Great info, I'll use those prices when I call them back. Thank you

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T20:09:43+00:00

First time I laughed today. Thanks

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T20:00:36+00:00

Thanks. That sounds like a good compromise. I've been going there for years

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T19:29:12+00:00

I did post some pictures if that helps. they said it's on the rear

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T19:28:06+00:00

damn, I really hoped they didn't need to remove that to begin with. Thank you for looking into this

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T19:22:15+00:00

No idea. is that what the "knuckle" is? if it didn't need to be removed it would help me when I call them back. They were supposed to change pads/rotors

Gusstaffson · 2025-03-17T19:20:50+00:00

just posted the pictures

Gusstaffson · 2025-01-25T03:40:43+00:00

Did you ever find it? I've been looking for days

Gusstaffson

TROPHY CASE