Bad Service - what would you do?

[TJMarchand]

Funny coincidence, I started noticing a terrible rattle when going over bumps. I blamed my aftermarket exhaust until I looked under the truck. My dealership snapped the head off one of the skid plate bolts and left the broken bolt in the hole. Now I'll have to get a new bolt and get the old one out. They never said anything about it to me.

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[AzScorpion]

Funny coincidence, I started noticing a terrible rattle when going over bumps. I blamed my aftermarket exhaust until I looked under the truck. My dealership snapped the head off one of the skid plate bolts and left the broken bolt in the hole. Now I'll have to get a new bolt and get the old one out. They never said anything about it to me.

Sadly most younger people can't tell time unless it's on a digital clock. How can you expect them to read a torque wrench

 

[Cyclereckr]

Sad they can't even do a simple oil change! If it were me I would just call there (talk to the manager) and let them know what happened and leave it at that. Then I would try and find a reputable local small shop to get the basics done there like oil changes, brakes and alignments. I try to only use the dealers for major repairs or warranty work.

I oil change guy is the least experienced at the stealership !

Sad they can't even do a simple oil change! If it were me I would just call there (talk to the manager) and let them know what happened and leave it at that. Then I would try and find a reputable local small shop to get the basics done there like oil changes, brakes and alignments. I try to only use the dealers for major repairs or warranty work.

 

[Ranger@]

Hi All - So went to get 2nd oil change today at approx 2 years ownership and 12K miles. Got home to check underneath for oil to clean so it didn't drip on driveway etc. Anyways they stripped one of the skid plate bolt holes in the frame and just left the bolt and washer hanging 1 inch off tight and crooked and said nothing. Everything else appears OK. 99% sure it was them not the first oil change a year ago. Don't really want to bring it back to either dealers (why bring it to a dealer if they cross thread anyways?). Only had 2 oil changes so far at 2 different dealers. What would you do next here?
Thanks!

ive been an auto tech.I would politely take it back to the shop.Show them the problem ask to repair it.Then after they do the job ream their ass out with a #10 drill bit.And start doing it on you own..https://youtu.be/zrGdDEoPN1A?si=yMXwFTc97IvCyt8o

 

[Blue Streak]

Hi All - So went to get 2nd oil change today at approx 2 years ownership and 12K miles. Got home to check underneath for oil to clean so it didn't drip on driveway etc. Anyways they stripped one of the skid plate bolt holes in the frame and just left the bolt and washer hanging 1 inch off tight and crooked and said nothing. Everything else appears OK. 99% sure it was them not the first oil change a year ago. Don't really want to bring it back to either dealers (why bring it to a dealer if they cross thread anyways?). Only had 2 oil changes so far at 2 different dealers. What would you do next here?
Thanks!

I would politely bring it to there attention & see if they are willing to fix it on their dime. If they repair it I would check it before I left (not just visually but take a wrench with you & see if it really is). Then I would proceed to tell them why I would not be returning & posting this on social media. Then do it yourself or find a local shop to do it.

 

[dano42]

Crap, this thread makes me want to crawl under my truck and check everything out- except if I did that my neck would hate me for a week. I might do it anyways.

 

[IdahoRanger]

Crap, this thread makes me want to crawl under my truck and check everything out- except if I did that my neck would hate me for a week. I might do it anyways.

Screw the neck, do it now. DO IT NOW! ?

 

[Sojourner]

I wouldn't waste any time going back to the dealership.

I would spend my time a) taking photos of the damage/mistake, b) repairing the damage, and c) leaving a negative review on the dealer's website (usually a link is there on the website).

When (if) the service manager gets in contact with you and asks why you didn't let him/her know before posting the negative review you can tell him/her the service techs didn't let you know they screwed up before you accepted the vehicle back from them. Turnabout is fair play, after all.

If (s)he's willing to comp you for your troubles, then consider deleting the review.

 

[Rocketeer61]

Take it back to the dealer and jump the management line so that shit rolls downhill. Your vehicle is expensive and so is servicing it. You didn't get what you paid for.

 

[AzScorpion]

You won't get anywhere acting like a complete A-hole! I always found being nice and explaining the situation works best and most times you'll get comped with either a free service or a reduced bill. Sometimes the manager has no idea what's going on and other times they just don't care, which I found to be rare because most do. Remember he's not the one who made the mistake but they're usually more than willing to help you out.

Sadly we're living in different times than most of us are use to. Growing up most everyone took pride in what they did and would go out of the way to make sure the customer was satisfied. Today we've become a society that's settle for mediocracy and then take to social media to rant about it.

 

[5thranger]

You might want to check to make sure the wheel well liner was re-attached properly after it was opened up to get at the oil filter. Shops do some weird stuff to make it easier for themselves. The local garage took a sawzall to the belly pan of my Passat to drain the oil rather than remove it or extract the oil through the dipstick tube.

You should have gone back there and demanded the piece they cut out then ask for the individual that cut it out then promptly insert it into his anal orifice.

 

[TJC]

Buy a tap, remove the bolt get a replacement and re ṭap the threads. Then do your own oil changes and that won't happen again.

Then invest in a ValvoMax and never pull the pan again! And you won't spill any either (it you do it right).

 

[TJC]

Sad they can't even do a simple oil change! If it were me I would just call there (talk to the manager) and let them know what happened and leave it at that. Then I would try and find a reputable local small shop to get the basics done there like oil changes, brakes and alignments. I try to only use the dealers for major repairs or warranty work.

I had something similar happen at Discount Tire. Went in for a 5K rotation and balance. Got in the truck and turned around after 5 miles. Had them rebalance them all. Drove home and forgot about it until I notice one of the lug nuts was not even close to what was on every other stud.

Went back 5K later and pointed out that they messed it up. They could not find a matching lung nut so they put a complete new set on the truck.

It helps when you been using the same store for 25 years and they are the only ones who touch the tires.

 

[Hulk337]

My assumption is they tightened the other bolts before they started ALL of them, and this was the last one - and not properly aligned to get a straight shot, and they ignored it. (SAD Workmanship)
The skid plate has some flexibility in movement, ALWAYS start all bolts before tightening them.

You MAY be able to loosen the bolts and reposition the skid plate and try starting the bolt as if its hanging down an inch - its most likely only a few threads in.

Yes the other bolt got tightened and the last hole was I guessing slightly over the hole so they tried to tighten it last and it was askew. I tried a couple of times and fixed the threads on the bolt but its toast - gonna tap it with an M10x1.5 see if that works. Thanks!

 

[Hulk337]

Funny coincidence, I started noticing a terrible rattle when going over bumps. I blamed my aftermarket exhaust until I looked under the truck. My dealership snapped the head off one of the skid plate bolts and left the broken bolt in the hole. Now I'll have to get a new bolt and get the old one out. They never said anything about it to me.

Sorry to hear that - mine could have been worse I guess. I was reading the new Bronco was having the skid plate bolts snap like that so I checked the hole and its clear.

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