cchristo

About 3 months ago, I put the 80 in a local shop for brake work. They had real problems getting the right spindle out. I walked in on them to see them banging the heck out of it with a hammer. Anyway, they finally got the job done, I had them put in a new parking brake assy, U-joints, and bearings. Everything seemed to work fine at first. I had a sagging spring that I replaced with a new fiberglass one about a week after the brake job. There was a big change as the new spring was softer than my old 7 leaf. I noticed the rear end feeling loose on and off throttle but wrote it off to the spring. Yesterday, I had had enough and decided to get the alignment checked. When they got it on the rack, they called me in to show me that the wheels were wobbling. The whole spindle was moving with about 1/2" to 3/4" of play at the outside of the tire.
I took it straight to the shop that "fixed" it and told them what had happened. When they got it apart, the spindle was shot. It was just fine 3 months ago when they put the bearings in. I'm thinking they did not put it back together properly, to specs, and by the book. The owner said he would replace the spindle, no charge, with one from a 68 he found, if it fits. If not, he's sort of implying that he will expect me to pay for a new one.

Here's my questions... What are the odds of a spindle in good condition, that has had the bearings properly installed and adjusted, fail in about 3 months and less than 1000 miles of very easy driving?

I suspect that his mechanics didn't check the play, or put the spacer in properly, or didn't shim it properly, or.....or....or.....

If the guy tries to charge me for this, I think I'll take it to court or at least the BBB.

I need some good, professional opinions on what might have caused the problem, and what I might be able to do about it if the guy doesn't do right.

Thanks :confused: :mad

LAvetteman

If I were you I would have someone who knows what they are doing(familiar with vette trailing arms) rebuild the bearing/spindle assembly, which should have been done in the first place. I would expect him to pay at least half of that, or apply what you have allready payed to the total.

Remember, if the one off the 68 isn't done right you will right back where you are now.


[Modified by 71,454,4spd, 10:30 PM 1/18/2003]

The Money Pit

I had a similar experience with one of the local mechanics when one rear bearing went south. I've used him for years and didn't want any hard feelings,so I paid the bill. The following year,the opposite rear bearing went. This time I sent the whole T-arm to Bairs for a rebuild/upgrade to offset T-arms. Cost me the same amount for both sides believe it or not,only this time I know it's right. It's tough to find a good mechanic,much less one that knows Vettes.Good luck,whatever you decide.

carl a

i once tried the small claims court/route---finally after 3 times going i gave up. my case was a spring that was installed incorrectly breaking other parts-------- had it re repaired at a second shop-- 2nd shop stated 1shop did repair wrong-------- judge constantly took the side of the 1st shop------ even though i had reciepts from 2nd shop stating 1st shop did repairs incorrectly---------- the 2nd shop owner would have to testified in court personally not by reciepts- since i couldnot ask guy to close his shop down for a day i was forced to throw in the towel--the system is not set up for us



[Modified by carl a, 7:00 PM 1/19/2003]

cchristo

Thanks Guys,
I'm going to pursue this one if I have to, if only for principle. The spindle was in good shape before they got their hands on it. I drive it like a baby so there is no way that it would have went bad that quick if it had been reassembled properly.
Thanks again

Paul L

The chances of a local shop having the correct C3 shims and dial gauge set-up to do that type of work are pretty remote. I suspect that if you ask the owner to see his shim collection, he will not have one. Probably just re-installed what came off with the original bearings.

GTR1999

If indeed they removed the spindle with a hammer and nut on the spindle then most likely they didn't assemble them to the correct end play either. Should be .001" to .002" although the "book" calls for up to .008". The amount of play you have might mean a cracked housing,missing spindle shims, or broken spindle. I wouldn't let them work on it again but do take pictures of exactly what you find. The bearings are pressed onto the spindle so a good deal of force is required. The best way is to use a press to control the force on the spindle. the hammer procedure,even with the spindle knocker, is a big gamble.
Good Luck, review the procedure in a GM service Manual if you're not sure how things come apart.
Gary

R. Bruno

What is the warranty period on the first job? I would try my best to negotiate something with the first shop even if it is a discount on some future work that you know they can do correctly, rather than having them mess this up again. Then again, if you don't give them a chance to make it right no judge will award you anything. My wife is a judge (guess who wins the arguments in my house), not small claims but I know thhe problems. Consider this; half the guys on this forum (me included) would have a hard time figuring out who is telling the truth just by looking at mechanic's statements, worn bearings or a broken spindle. Consider the problem for a judge that doesn't know anything about cars, much less the idiocyncrasis of a C-3. It would be hard for them to lay blame at the feet of the shop. n

cchristo

I'm giving him a chance to make it right. Other than (possibly) the Chevy dealerships, there isn't a Corvette specialty shop in the area that I know of. I went to this guy on the advice of a non-corvette owning friend and the fact that the owner has his own vette, hummer, and a couple other specialty cars. He owns two decent looking shops here in town.
He seems like an honest, straightforward guy, but if he doesn't do right by me, I'm going to have to pursue it in other ways. My only experience with the legal system is a couple speeding tickets years ago and, of course, Judge Judy!
Thanks for the input, everyone.

LAvetteman

Then he should understand that you need to send the trailing arm off to a specialist to be done right. He can remove and reinstall them once you get them back. You should get full credit on the first job he did for you. Basically, he may have ruined your spindle and there is no guarantee that this one he has found for you is rebuildable either.

Goodluck

Big Fish

I don't know how much you paid for the work, but here in Illinois a small claims court case takes quite a while to get over with. Your first appearance will likely end with a continuance, the 2nd usually the same. Finally you might make it to some sort of judgement on the 3rd, but many times things will get settled out of court, usually for something less than you originally wanted. The repair shop can say anything they really want, even twist things around to sound like your spindle was already defective even before they got it. 3 half days of no pay so I can go to court would amount to a fair amount of money for me, and it's still a gamble because the court could deny a settlement. One thing you could do is check with the court system to see if there has been other cases against the shop and if there are any pending. If so, I would probably write it off, but try to negotiate your own out of court settlement first. The last thing the guy wants is to pay for an attorney and lose time in court. If the shop is in a small town, word of a bad job gets around, and he probably won't want his reputation ruined. It could be an honorable thing for him to settle with you. I don't think I would trust him to get the job done right the second time. :flag

Clink69

the best way to do this kind of work is to have charged the repair job an a credit card. It then gives you recourse in case you are not satisfied. Simply order a "dispute payment" on the phone and let the charge companies lawyers handle it. Not much hassle for you at all. It is not likely that a shop will fight it very hard..

If you didn't charge it and payed with a check and its not too late, stop payment...

Basically let them to the legal work not you..

Chris :flag