Anyone swapped out front belts?

[DukeCanBuildit]

Latest update. Called my friend in Folsom, asked him for the specific steps they took so that I could better explain it to the service techs. Then, called Sunnyvale Ford (since for some reason the dealer you bought the car from is somehow special according to just about everyone I spoke to, odd) and talked to a guy, explained the process and asked him if he thought he could do that if I came down. he said he did. Got there, he was at lunch, just my luck. Talked to another guy, explained the situation, he started pushing back a bit but I kept giving him more and more info. After a bit, I seemed to pique his curiosity. He tried a few thing, left for a long time, came back, tried a few other things. I asked him to try just typing in 2561203 for the part number instead of 2161203 as the part number to see what happened. It came up, said "Seat Belt Buckle" and that it was covered. This really seemed to get him interested so he left again, for even longer. Finally came back and said "I have the number we need to use.' Curious, I asked and he said 2161202. I texted that to my friend and he said "that's the passenger side". So I brought that up. He made a couple of odd comments one "well I guess they care about the passenger more than the driver" and "that other part is just the trim part." I brought up a picture of that 2161203 and showed him that it's in fact not a trim part but the actual part.

At some point he was able to get the system to accept it. I think he used 2161202 to get into the Repair Order and then, I hope, he put the right numbers in. I did ask him three things, 1) "You are ordering the drivers side right?" He said "yes". 2) "When will it be here?" He said "Monday". 3) "Even though it says $265 on this work order, you aren't charging me right?" He said "I'm not charging you. I have to put in the inspection and. I can't put in a zero amount."

So, Monday, we will see. I will have the part from my friend who is bringing it down tomorrow so at some point on Monday, I should have the part replaced. If things work out, it will be free and then I'll just have to figure out how to get the other one back to my friend for a refund.

This is exhausting.

Aren’t you glad it’s self-guided automotive warranty repair and not dental work?

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[fjwlobo]

Aren’t you glad it’s self-guided automotive warranty repair and not dental work?

I think I'd rather have a root canal ? ?

I don't think it would be as painful ???‍?

 

[pboggini]

To finish this up. On Monday, I pulled into Sunnyvale Ford at 7:50. A tech came out and I told him who I was working with. He came out, said they had the part, took my keys and said he'd get the truck into a tech. He said I could go to the desk and get an Uber home if I wanted. Since I knew it was a 30 minute fix modulo the other cars being worked on I just waited. After 90 minutes, I had my keys back and was on my way.

While waiting I asked around and found who the service manager was. I sat with him and thanked him for the work this tech was doing. He said that having to do this isn't that uncommon and said "yea, we even had two last week, one was a seat belt buckle". I chuckled and said "yea, that's mine." Turns out he was the one who my tech was talking to when he left those three times. He did say that it often takes a "seasoned" tech who knows how to work the system like this. He said sometimes they have to use a "body shop" number or other tricks to make sure they can get parts covered as they should be.

So, for me, I think the best approach might be to talk to the most senior service tech or manager one can find.

 

[got3fords]

To finish this up. On Monday, I pulled into Sunnyvale Ford at 7:50. A tech came out and I told him who I was working with. He came out, said they had the part, took my keys and said he'd get the truck into a tech. He said I could go to the desk and get an Uber home if I wanted. Since I knew it was a 30 minute fix modulo the other cars being worked on I just waited. After 90 minutes, I had my keys back and was on my way.

While waiting I asked around and found who the service manager was. I sat with him and thanked him for the work this tech was doing. He said that having to do this isn't that uncommon and said "yea, we even had two last week, one was a seat belt buckle". I chuckled and said "yea, that's mine." Turns out he was the one who my tech was talking to when he left those three times. He did say that it often takes a "seasoned" tech who knows how to work the system like this. He said sometimes they have to use a "body shop" number or other tricks to make sure they can get parts covered as they should be.

So, for me, I think the best approach might be to talk to the most senior service tech or manager one can find.

Glad you finally got it fixed!

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