TRR

I ordered the Z06 Brakes from Fred Bean's and they arrived the Monday before Thanksgiving. I had to wait till my wheels and tires came before I could install the brakes. The wheels came the next week so I jacked my car up and changed the wheels and tires without any problems. I was going to install the brakes the next day, but I cut my finger pretty bad and had to have it sewed up. I wanted the brakes on really bad, so I called a dealer and talked to the Service Manager. He said he had a guy that all he did was work on brakes and he knew what to do. I made an appointment for the next day. I got there at 8:00 AM and was told that it would take about 2 hours. At 11:00 AM I asked how much longer, and why it was taking so long. I was told that the guy doing the work was very **** and was taking his time to make sure it was done right. At 12:30 PM I was told that one of the brake lines was too tight from the factory, (I had heard this happens from other Forum Members), and the fitting was stripped and he was working on that. They gave me a loaner car so I could go to lunch. I got back to the Dealer around 1:30 and was told they were almost finisned. Now comes the unbelieveable part. Mr. Goodwrench was done and was road testing the car. When he got back he said "The front wheels need balancing, they really shake around 80 MPH, but it stops really good". When I started to leave, I put my foot on the brake and they almost went to the floor. I'm thinking what the hell, he drove this car with almost no brakes at 80 MPH, then tells me it's ready. I asked him if he even bled them. He said " Oh yea they'll come up after driving it awhile". I went back inside and talked to the Manager. I told him that I could not accept the car in that condition. After looking all around the car I realized that he had installed the Calipers UPSIDE DOWN. I did'nt know what to do except let them keep the car over night and fix it. They gave me a loaner and I went home and had couple of Buds. I picked the car up the next day and it was right. They told me that they were really sorry and embarrassed. I won't be back to that Dealer for anything.

TRR

PaulC6Z

Gee, you're lucky that they had the guy that knows what he is doing work on your car. THE BRAKE SPECIALIST. Pride in workmanship in the U.S. is dead. The few that do have it and know it charge dearly.

Idaho Mark

LOL! You would think an idiot like that would only do one side at a time to make sure he had it right by looking at the other side.

Idaho Mark

btw/ better make sure that your brake lines are not too long so you don't have them bending and pinching off the flow. Frankly, I would think about having the OEM brake lines put on, brand new ones like the ones the idiot took off.

TRR

What really got me, was that he had to know the pedal was almost to the floor when he drove it 80 MPH. I asked him if he at least waited to the oil temp got high enough to drive it that fast. It was like 30 degrees outside. I blame myself for not checking the dealer out more then I did.

TRR

TRR

Had to put Stop Tec lines on with the Z06 brakes.

TRR

leeman

I had ZO6 wheels put on my C6 and my friend told me to let the dealer put the wheels on because they are diificult to squeeze on and other places might scratch the wheels. I went to pick up my car only to find one of the larger rear wheels was on the front of my car.

Wayne88

Even if its an inexperienced mechanic, someone should oversee his work.
No excuses for this.


BTW, TRR--Paragraph

leeman

I took my C6 to the dealer for an oil change and they put 7 quarts of oil in my C6.

VET4LES

Another case of DIY if you want the job done correctly. I would have waited for my finger to heal and completed the job right the first time. Hope the finger is OK.

47steve

I'm a firm believer in DIY. This only enables you to better understand your car and help diagnose future issues that may arise. I also feel more comfortable when doing my own work.

The best part is that you don't have to make an appointment and you don't have to pay the cashier to get your keys!

-Steve

m_LeDez

Here's a simular post.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1564182

A few days ago a forum member was asking for help with his Z06 brake install. I just tossed my option out due to a simular experiance I caused years ago (installed calipars upside down) and I turned out to be correct!
I can see someone like myself making that mistake, it's easy to do, but the dealership? Not Mr. Goodwrench!

Anyways, hope your finger heals. You took one for the team!

But get ready, after installing my Z06 brake kit I have to clean the brake dust off my wheels aleast once a week. And the rotors are not zinc coated so there's alot of dark "rusty" water crap that drips (or spins) off onto the barrel of the rim. My factory brakes & polished wheels had "zero" brake dust, so there will be a trade-off for adding these nice brakes & calipers......let's not even talk about the price of pad replacement.

Good luck & welcome to the Z06 BBK club!

Mike

cthusker

Before taking delivery I had the wheels taken off and brought to my tire dealer for swapping to CCW's. All the dealer had to do was reinstall the tires from the tire dealer. When I came to pick up the car I looked at the tires and then asked who installed them. Dealer said their TOP ACE mechanic. I said go get him... please. When he comes over I said have you EVER noticed those little arrows on the factory tires? Of course this mechanical genius said yea... so what. I informed him the arrows signify the proper rotation direction. He said well it doesn't matter and he doesn't pay attention to them because it’s just something Goodyear puts on them! MEANS NOTHING! I had the car jacked up and tires switched before leaving. I've never been back to that dealer and don't plan to.

cksrick

STINGREYES

"The front wheels need balancing, they really shake around 80 MPH, but it stops really good"

little fast for checking brake

Tally Ho

I would have waited for my finger to heal and done it myself. Sorry for your experience.

Fastronaut

Please tell us that dealer mechanic was NOT "Corvette Certified".

dcress1127

You try to be Christian about this sort of thing, but it is just incredible that the rate of charge doesn't match the caliber of personnel working on your high dollar investment/hobby/other love. Hope the finger heals okay. Admire your gentlemanly handling of the situation.

bolivar

Stuck your finger thru the wheel and turned it, didn't you! Your finger/thumb will not clear between the wheel and the caliper!

Want to see a picture of my thumb with 4 stitches? First time for stitches for me!

MEANZ06

yepper...