Why I Don'tLet Nobody Touch my Car - They're Trying to Kill Me

[swanicyouth]

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:

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/28/bef0d1b1276f8300b44ab7d085fad479.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/28/fe8f8b917e6e0ee1d5d661c778eba463.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/28/ab47f74a555f784f1dd386ef1e22bded.jpg

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[runrun411]

Glad things didn't turn out to be worse. Lesson learned. On a lighter note I'm sure the guys at the shop said to themselves "damn that's the cleanest Bimmer we've seen in a while".

[campngolf]

Inexcusable. I hope you plan on pointing this out to the shop that didn't do their job. Even though it sounds like this shop came with high recommendations, management should know they may have a "bad seed" who is increasing their liability and putting lives at risk.

[Mizzoutiger]

I always report stuff like this to the manager. You never know who else that mechanic put at risk. Last guy I reported was fired, but at least he didn't kill anyone.

[Docpeanut]

I thought you were talking about the missing tire at first. Definitely frightening man

[asalesagent912]

wow i thought it was just me.lol i hate when i have to get work done on my cars. my brother in law owns a radiator shop but when i need simple things done i take it to his shop and some of the guys there can change oil and brakes and stuff like that. my brother in law jokes with me calling me the pain in the ass customer because i have my head right in there watching what there doin.lol I just feel like they some mechanics are just careless. i once had my oil changed from my cousins shop and they forgot to put the oil fill cover back on. when i got home i had oil all over my driveway. this is why i try watch what they do. I also have a lugnut missing because when i got my tires rotated they forgot to put one back

[sjb89]

My relative took their Toyota to the local Toyota dealer for a Airbag Recall. After waiting 9 hours for the scheduled repair, she proceeded out of the parking lot and turned on to the highway. Only to have the steering wheel fall off and land in her lap. She had to leave the car , walk back to the dealer, confront the service dept. which told her, "It was her fault for rushing them. Glad it wasn't me !!

[JHL88]

My relative took their Toyota to the local Toyota dealer for a Airbag Recall. After waiting 9 hours for the scheduled repair, she proceeded out of the parking lot and turned on to the highway. Only to have the steering wheel fall off and land in her lap. She had to leave the car , walk back to the dealer, confront the service dept. which told her, "It was her fault for rushing them. Glad it wasn't me !!

wow. I would've probably head-butted him right in the schnoz.

Anyway, I remember taking my old 98 LS1 Camaro in for a differential fluid change at Midas. The guy that I knew and trusted that had done some custom work for me wasn't there so there was this other guy that began to work on my car.

I got home and noticed a leak so I went back and told the manager. I was told by the manager shortly after that he fired that mechanic. Apparently he must've been a screw up. You never know about people.

[BillE]

That is just plain inexcusable!

Bill