Problems w/ Dealership

[aaronearles]

Okay guys, here's my story..

I bought my 03 LS V8 in October of 2006, upon pickup, the sales rep informed me that although the car was claimed to be certified pre-owned, the day they ran the tests there was a problem with the emissions machine. So they were running some final tests to make the car certified. Upon inspection the service dept. said the front brakes would also need replacement.

Okay - cool, free brake job. But they had to "measure the back brakes because it's within milimeters of certifiable" of course they didnt do them.

So now I need back brakes, stealership wants way too much and it's too cold out without a garage to just do it myself, so I take it to pepboys. the guy there tells me that I need front and rear pads and rotors because "somebody" put new pads on the front and did not turn the rotors. Also, my back brakes, there is nearly nothing left of the rotors.

So I get just the back done because they NEED it, and decide to take the fronts and complain to the dealer about not machining the rotors and I want them to do both for free of course.

The service manager said they dont always machine them because it's not always necessary, and then went on about how I shouldnt take my car to pepboys for service. He also said there's no way he can do anything about the rear brakes because they were replaced by pepboys without them seeing them.. okay I can understand that - I didnt expect them to anyway, but the front is what concerns me.

If the dealership isnt willing to work with me on some cheap brakes, why should I continue to bring them my business for twice as much money as anywhere else?

What do you guys think, do I have a legitimate bitch, or should I just go pay for the front brakes?

 

[ToddG]

2003 LS cars have the brakes covered under warranty. Of course, that depends on your car's "in-service" date and mileage. Are you within the 4-year, 50K mile warranty?

 

[Quik LS]

IMHO - It is not an automatic to turn the rotors everytime - only if they need it.

BTW - I agree with him on the 'shouldnt take my car to pepboys for service' but to each his own....

 

[NateRW21]

okay... here's the deal. Any warenties aside...

Brake rotors, or even drums DO NOT need to be machined just because you are replacing pads or shoes. Yes, they are a wear-out type item, but there is no corilation between the replacement for pads and replacement for rotors. However, the inverse is in fact true. Replace rotors and you must replace the pads. The reason is very smple; if your rotors need to be replaced, usually you'll have grooves and things of that nature on the rotor; the pad will wear in a fashion that's like a ververse of the rotors. If you put those pads onto new rotors, the highpoints will excellerate wear at the point they contact the rotor; creating groves in those new rotors.

Now, if your rotors do not have grooves, are not warn past spec (thickness) and are within run-out spec (warpage) then it's fine to replace just the pads. Do you Follow?

Is it possible the dealership put new pads on when you needed new pads AND rotors? Yes, but that seems like a pretty remote chance. Rotors that are due for replacement will have charictorists when braking that tell you there is a problem. Either pulsing in the brake pedel, a sharp pull to one side when you apply the brake, or a loud grinding and or squeaking noise.


Moral to all of this: When you took your car somewhere else to have this service done before going to the dealership which you had coverage from, you gave up your entitlement to that coverage. If you needed new back brakes and you didn't trust the dealership to give it to you straight and honest, you should have taken it in and had an inspection done on it at a brake shop so you knew what you were looking at, then taken it to the dealership. As for your front brakes, that's a tough one; I'd have to see the condition of the rotors and make measurements with a mircrometer and gauge. If it's bad enough then it shouldn't be hard to say "I bought this car from you 3 months ago and these rotors look like some kind of moderin art metal work, what gives?" Brakes that pass inspection, in theory (unless you race, tow, drive like an idiot, or are a two foot driver) should still be good 3 months from the date of inspection. You MAY have a case on the fronts... But you are 100% out of luck on the rear after having them serviced else where.

On a side note... you own a Lincoln... newer one at that... Not to talk down about pepboys, but they don't usually install the highest quality parts. You might want to think about going to the dealership, or a very reputiable locally owned third party shop. Ask around, check the better business bereu, ask to see ASE and state certifications for any technitions that will be working on your vehicle.

Hope you have better luck next time...