jason1906

I have a 2007 S-550 and I am getting the Electonic-hydralic control unit replaced (valvle body - partNo. 220-27-29-06) and the dealer was going to charge me $2k to do it but then they came back and said a bolt is broken inside the housing (pictures enclosed) and want to charge $4500 to take transmission out so they can remove the bolt. Will it affect anything if I just have them put the broken bolt back in the same place and put the new control unit in? Any help is much appreciated.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwmfwYVukibJTEtJNXF5YUdOV2M/edit?usp=sharing[/URL]
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwmfwYVukibJMkl2bXV0YWdtMUE/edit?usp=sharing[/URL]

Jason B

They probably broke the bolt The bolt breaking isn't your fault. They need to meet you halfway or should honor the original quote. Talk to service manager.

I'd say it would probably be ok, but I'm willing to bet they won't do the install without putting a "new bolt" in.

jason1906

I was thinking the same thing. I asked them did they brake the bolt and they gave me this long spill about wear and tear

Mike5215

They're asking for $1500 additional to R&I the tranny and tap the remnant of the broken bolt shank out of the housing? I'd ask the shop manager what the flat rate time for the R&I operation is, add .5 hrs to tap out the bolt. You also need to know the shop's labor rate. I'd want a discount on the labor of some kind since they broke the bolt. (Look at the face of the break...if it's perfectly clean and fresh they broke it. If it's oxidized and dirty it may have been pre-existing).

I think the remnant has to come out or they're not going to warranty that valve body.

jason1906

The Service rep told me the Rate is $150hr and the job all together ( they included the valve body work in ) a 19hr job. They also added seals and fluid and other misc. bolts that need to replace because he said MB requires them to replace all bolts with new ones. The job actually went up $2500 not $1500

1bad540

sounds like they broke the bolt and are charging you for there mistake. If your in Ny I have a certified benz tech that can help you out.

kamilclk430

Def they broke the bolt, sorry but wear and tear does not brake bolts. Especially in 2007s

Mike5215

^^True. A bolt isn't exactly a "wear" item.

jason1906

I just had the most awkward encounter with the MB Service rep and the mechanic. So they took me back to show the parts of the vehicle and what had to be fixed and I asked the Mechanic how long will it take to take Transmission out and remove bolt and he kind of looked at me and then looked at the service rep like, I don't know what you put on the paper so I don't wont to mess up your deal. and the sales rep kind of piped in to tell me about 2 or 3 days. The mechanic looked kind of puzzled and thought for awhile and he said about 18 hours. I remember on the quote the service rep put a bunch of seals and fluid and parts but the mechanic pretty much said everything can be reused except the bolts. At this time the service rep was getting a little fidgety and nervous. The dealers try to squeeze every little penny out the deal. I bet if we just talked with the mechanic a whole lot of money would have been saved from unnecessary parts and hours

C-DiZzY

I'd call corporate! They tried to do that to me about my "drains" I was getting water in my cabin filter due to a clogged drain.. Long story short they wanted over $2300 for the repair I told the service manager to kick rocks!!! I called corporate and they pulled all my service records and it showed every time I was at the dealer.. Last time before incident was a month before the incident It got detailed and the check list was checked all drains clear.. BS! I ended up paying $225 for a diagnostic fee. Always go over their heads if not its probably gonna cost u! And see if u can in the service records that the car was frequently serviced/maintained at MB. They don't have a leg to stand on!!!

Mike5215

After some thought, the issue here is that the tech damaged the car in the process of making the repair. While it's unfortunate that the damage he caused will be expensive and labor intensive to repair, that's the shop's problem.

At $150 an hour, the tech should be competent enough to be aware of how much torque he normally needs to apply to those bolts, and stop before he shears one off. Rather than pushing his luck, the tech should have stopped, notified the writer who in turn could have called you and let you know that a bolt appears to be frozen and there's a risk of it shearing off if they proceed. Then you could have made an informed decision.

Service centers carry what's called "Garagekeeper's Liability Insurance" to protect them when they accidentally damage a vehicle in their care. I'd suggest that you advise them that you'll pay for the incidentals related to the transmission service (fluids and filters), and the original repair, but they need to eat the rest internally or open a claim.

1bad540

I've never heard of such bs, tell them to pound sand. They f"Ed up the car let them remove the bolt and fix it. There are plenty of devices on the market to remove broken bolts. I make sure to tell the dealer I am very familiar w how to turn a wrench and work on cars, if they think your retarded u get hit w retarded **** like this. While my car was at the dealer having the lower rad hose changed they asked if I wanted to also do a rad flush, I asked the guy if he knew what happened when they remove the lower rad hose? I said serious?

Sick07S600

Was your transmission slipping after driving for awhile? Or what was it doing before u took it in to get fixed? My car is slipping and im wondering if its the same problem, thanks