Alignment & Bearings Shop Trouble
12-02-2010, 06:26 PM
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02 c230k coupe
Alignment & Bearings Shop Trouble
So i went to pep boys today to do an alignment because the stealership wanted 130 dollars for it.
So pep boys called me 30 minutes after i dropped off the car, they said that they found "clay" in my bearings and they werent goign to be able to do the alignment.
I went back to the site, they said they would have to order the bearings and its 180 dollars for each side to do bearings plus 69 for alignment.
I never noticed any noise as i speed up or anything different in my car, so i do not really think something is wrong with my bearings. I am goign to get my friend to check it out tommorow.
What do you guys think ??
btw, they charged me 20 bucks. Is this fair ? They didn't do anything to my car but still charged me a 20 dollars labor fee ? What do you guys think
So pep boys called me 30 minutes after i dropped off the car, they said that they found "clay" in my bearings and they werent goign to be able to do the alignment.
I went back to the site, they said they would have to order the bearings and its 180 dollars for each side to do bearings plus 69 for alignment.
I never noticed any noise as i speed up or anything different in my car, so i do not really think something is wrong with my bearings. I am goign to get my friend to check it out tommorow.
What do you guys think ??
btw, they charged me 20 bucks. Is this fair ? They didn't do anything to my car but still charged me a 20 dollars labor fee ? What do you guys think
12-02-2010, 06:49 PM
#2
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Assuming they indeed spent some time on your car (putting it on the alignment rack) and inspecting, I think it's fair that they charge the customer for the time (technician as well as the alignment rack)... eventhough they didn't complete the work you've asked them to do it.
About the wheel bearings - I would think you'd notice while driving if the wheel bearing is bad.
Lift one of the front wheels with a jack and spin the wheel and see if the bearing is smooth.
About the wheel bearings - I would think you'd notice while driving if the wheel bearing is bad.
Lift one of the front wheels with a jack and spin the wheel and see if the bearing is smooth.
12-02-2010, 11:13 PM
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wait...
They said they could not complete my alignment due to my bearings.
Did i just get ****ed over for 20 dollars ??
What do the bearings have to do with my alignment ?
They said they could not complete my alignment due to my bearings.
Did i just get ****ed over for 20 dollars ??
What do the bearings have to do with my alignment ?
12-03-2010, 07:33 AM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
If the wheel bearing is so bad that it is impacting the alignment, you should feel that while driving.
I also had the same question, what does 'having clay in the wheel bearing" have anything to do with the alignment... but I was giving the benefit of the doubt that the bearing is really bad and it is affecting the alignment... If it is indeed that bad and impacing the alignment, you should feel it.
I also had the same question, what does 'having clay in the wheel bearing" have anything to do with the alignment... but I was giving the benefit of the doubt that the bearing is really bad and it is affecting the alignment... If it is indeed that bad and impacing the alignment, you should feel it.
12-03-2010, 08:49 AM
#5
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I would not take my car to Pepboys for an alignment unless the shop is capable of full 4 wheel alignment including fitting the fluted bolts to correct camber & castor. Most Pepboys rigs can set toe only.
That said - I would expect an alignment shop to stop & call me if something had too much play to set things correctly & their charge is reasonable if this was the case.
Go & see the car & tell them to show you the play. Something smells here because I find it hard to believe that you did not realise you had play in your wheelbearings. But go and check & never leave your car at an alignment shop. Go & watch what they are doing.
If they genuinely found play in your bearings they probably pulled the dust caps to tighten things up & might have found the grease contaminated. Go & check.
The most common reason for alignment shops not being able to set things on a W203 is worn Castor bushes but they would only pick that up on a decent full alignment rig.
That said - I would expect an alignment shop to stop & call me if something had too much play to set things correctly & their charge is reasonable if this was the case.
Go & see the car & tell them to show you the play. Something smells here because I find it hard to believe that you did not realise you had play in your wheelbearings. But go and check & never leave your car at an alignment shop. Go & watch what they are doing.
If they genuinely found play in your bearings they probably pulled the dust caps to tighten things up & might have found the grease contaminated. Go & check.
The most common reason for alignment shops not being able to set things on a W203 is worn Castor bushes but they would only pick that up on a decent full alignment rig.
12-03-2010, 08:55 AM
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yeah, i do not feel anything when i drive. It is real smooth and there is no noise.
So, i have no idea what they were talking about. I am going to need to find another shop.
So, i have no idea what they were talking about. I am going to need to find another shop.
