Getting your vehicle fixed

[Run the ball]

So my toyota 4Runner is making some noise out of my rear passenger wheel. It's a cyclical grinding which could be anything from a brake pad, a fucked calliper or a wheel bearing. I called the garage this morning and booked an appointment and dropped my truck off at 1000 this morning. They told me they'd have it ready by 4 or so but would call me before doing anything to it so I could confirm the repairs and cost. So I called them around 230 to see "where they were" in the process, the guy of course says "oh we just got it on the hoist and I should have answer for you soon enough". It's 6pm and I'm still waiting .... Does this happen to you guys too? I'm kinda pissed, but it's not as if I went to a Toyota dealership :shrug:


Would you guys give the guy the "grinds" a little?

 

[Sunbiz1]

I just fired my mechanic for that crap, along with doing poor repairs.

The best means of finding solid garages is the old-fashioned way, word of mouth...I asked around town and found a much better place.

 

[Run the ball]

I just fired my mechanic for that crap, along with doing poor repairs.

The best means of finding solid garages is the old-fashioned way, word of mouth...I asked around town and found a much better place.

These guys are pretty good plus you can't best their prices, but I hate the lying. If it's not going to be done tonight, then call me and tell me. No biggie.

 

[Warrior Spirit]

Rick Grimes would shoot them. Maybe that's not a bad idea.

 

[Run the ball]

Grimes isn't available, but I told them to hurry the **** up or I was going to vaccinate their asses!

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Whatever you do... don't use Google to find a mechanic.

 

[Crystallas]

Shoulda DIY

 

[Run the ball]

Shoulda DIY

I took the tire off on Saturday and had a look, but it was cold out and my garage is full of shit so I didn't want to go too far with nothing open on Sunday if needed.

 

[Crystallas]

I took the tire off on Saturday and had a look, but it was cold out and my garage is full of shit so I didn't want to go too far with nothing open on Sunday if needed.

Then clean your garage so it's not a problem next time.

 

[Run the ball]

Then clean your garage so it's not a problem next time.

Yea no, I never park in the garage. Plus I'm pretty sure it's a bearing so that's not something I can do myself.

 

[Crystallas]

Yea no, I never park in the garage. Plus I'm pretty sure it's a bearing so that's not something I can do myself.

Bearings are easy too. Even pressed bearings.

 

[Run the ball]

Bearings are easy too. Even pressed bearings.

I've never done it myself, plus it needs to be pressed. Hopefully it was just the pad that twist though on the back side, I guess I'll find out in the morning.

 

[Unannounced Fart]

This reminds me of the story of a vacationing penguin driving his car through Arizona when he notices that the oil pressure light is on. He gets out to look and sees oil dripping out of the motor. He drives to the nearest town and stops at the first gas station.

After dropping the car off, the penguin goes for a walk around town. He sees an ice cream shop and, being a penguin in Arizona, decides that something cold would really hit the spot. He gets a big dish of ice cream and sits down to eat. Having no hands, he makes a real mess trying to eat with his flippers. After finishing his ice cream, he goes back to the gas station and asks the mechanic if he's found the problem. The mechanic looks up and says "It looks like you blew a seal."

"No, no," the penguin replies, "it's just vanilla ice cream."

 

[botfly10]

Personally, if I can't figure out what is wrong with my car, I take it to a mechanic and have them diagnose the problem. Then I take it home and fix it myself.

 

[Run the ball]

Personally, if I can't figure out what is wrong with my car, I take it to a mechanic and have them diagnose the problem. Then I take it home and fix it myself.

That's actually pretty crafty, I was at a consignment store today and they had a diagnostic computer for like 90$.

 

[Urblock]

One of my good friends owns the most high tech garage in town. If I can't fix it they can. Good luck.

 

[Unannounced Fart]

Personally, if I can't figure out what is wrong with my car, I take it to a mechanic and have them diagnose the problem. Then I take it home and fix it myself.

You sneaky bastard. So how many times did the mechanic intentionally misdiagnose the problem with the hope of scamming you out of $$$?

 

[Crystallas]

It's amazing to me how humans rely so much on certain things, yet take such little interest in learning how to maintain and repair them.

 

[Scoot26]

It's amazing to me how humans rely so much on certain things, yet take such little interest in learning how to maintain and repair them.

No time/afraid of screwing it up further.

 

[Bergz22]

It's amazing to me how humans rely so much on certain things, yet take such little interest in learning how to maintain and repair them.

This is very very true. I try to be as honest and up front about repairs and maintenance with all of my customers. I don't hard sell or try to scare people into buying services, rather try to inform people of their vehicles condition. I always try to prioritize repairs and maintenance, safety issues first, then recommended repairs, than maintenance last. I build multiple estimates, things that are needed now, and things that can wait. I also always try to understand the customers plans with the vehicle, if they plan on keeping it for a long time or are going to sell, trade in soon.

It is much, much cheaper in the long run to maintain your car regularly with fluid changes than to wait for problems to happen. It is really scary to think of how many cars are buzzing down the freeway with no brake pads left, loose wheel bearings, tie rods about to come apart and tires with absolutely zero tread.