I took my car to a mechanic that's very popular. He did great engine work and rotated my tires. This was about a month ago.
My front tire was flat this morning and I am riding on a doughnut (why do they even MAKE these puny things rather than a full size?) anyway, I took it to Goodyear and they told me that whomever rotated my tires in the front, they "crosstreaded" the bolts so they will have to be replaced along with the flat tire.
Can I sue the mechanic that did the rotation? I have the receipts for the work done, but I am afraid he will say I can't do anything about it.
Any suggestions? I am P.O.'ed.
2006-11-27 07:18:28 · 15 answers · asked by just me 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I forgot to mention that the Rear Back tire was flat...had to doughnut that one. I but I had the opportunity to replace all four...that's when this problem was presented to me. Sorry bout that.
2006-11-27 07:53:08 · update #1
the Goodyear guy is chargeing 100 to replace the bolts...just that I don't think I should have to pay for it... the first mechanic who actually rotated them (the last ones to touch my tires!) should have told me about it BEFORE he rotated the tires...hmm..
2006-11-27 07:55:01 · update #2
If you changed the tire then i'd say you were the one who cross threaded the lug. Maybe the people you took it too did. before pointing the finger look at the facts. out of the three people who touched that tire the original mechinic would be the last person in line for blame.
2006-11-27 07:32:43 · answer #1 · answered by George 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So... how did the doughnut spare get on if the bolts were cross-threaded? If the last shop cross-threaded the bolts, you would not have been able to get the spare on your car.
I'd suspect the Goodyear shop of trying to drum up a little more business. Ask to look at the bolts -- cross-threaded bolts will look chewed up. The "threads" are the part where the nut screws onto the bolt; if they've been badly cross-threaded you'll see what look like two sets of "threads" on the bolt.
And... MOST (though not all) cars use don't use bolts -- the wheel slips onto a threaded "lug" and is held in place by nuts. (There are exceptions -- VW, some Porsches, and Audis, for example, use bolts that go through the wheel and screw into threaded holes in the brake disc.)
Bring a car-savvy friend with you and see if their story changes. I'm suspicious of the Goodyear shop, they've decided to sell you an upgrade and are making up reasons that they think can confuse you.
2006-11-27 15:32:55 · answer #2 · answered by Scott F 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How did you get the flat tire off and put the spare tire on if your lug nuts where crossthreaded? They would have been tough to get off and if you did your lugs would have been possibly damaged, making it impossible for you to put the lug nuts back on and drive the car.
You said your front ones are cross threaded and you had a flat on the front, so I was just curious as to how the spare got put on with cross threaded lugs.
Either way if he did it, maybe you could call him and explain what happened. Maybe he will just pay for it to be fixed. That would be a lot easier than suing him.
Are you sure the other company is being honest? What are they charging you to replace your lugs? I would compare prices to other people. See if you think it's a fair price. I would also take it to another mechanic and get a second opinion. I would also call the mechanic and try to settle it out of court. Maybe he'll just fix it in his shop for free.
I also can't see a mechanic that does excellent work messing up something like lugs. And even if he did, if he didn't fix it there for free on the spot, then maybe he isn't to reputable.
Well good luck. I hope this helps.
2006-11-27 15:24:14 · answer #3 · answered by fast_bird94 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take your estimate from Goodyear to the mechanic that did the work in the first place. The first mechanic, if he really is reputable, will replace the bolts. The new tire is your own problem since whatever you hit is what caused the tire to be flat. If the mechanic refuses to do the work, for free, report him to the BBB and tell all of your friends. Word of mouth is the best way to ruin someones business, especially if they don't stand behind their work. If he refuses to fix your car you can take him to small claims court. Do this last thing as a last resort. You could also chuck it up to a learning experience and pay for it yourself.
2006-11-27 15:31:08 · answer #4 · answered by Shannon S 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If he's a good mechanic as you say, and does great work, I personally would bring it to his attention and ask him how he would feel reimbursing you for the difference. If it was realy his fault.
It's hard to find good mechanics, and just because you were told by a "competitor" that someone else goofed, doesn't make it true.
It's also possible, that Goodyear had their impact gun in the wrong direction at first and over tightened the lug nuts themselves before realizing the error, and caused the damage themselves.
It's going to be difficult PROVING the "other mechanic" damaged it.
That's a tough one to figure out. If you've got a good mechanic...I'd keep him.........
2006-11-27 15:36:29 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would not have been able to get the bolts off if the mechanic cross threaded them. You are at fault, if this is true. The bolts alone would not need to be replaced in most circumstances, it would be the bolts/lugs and wheel hub that would need to be replaced, as both parts would be damaged from the cross threading.
Someone's lying here, and I'm not quite sure who to point the finger at.
2006-11-27 15:47:53 · answer #6 · answered by sovereign_carrie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the gentleman above. (fast_bird) I think Goodyear is trying to make more money. Why not go back to the mechanic that did it and let him know what happened? Of course, you have to get your tire back on...it is very difficult to prove any 'mistake' in car repairs, unless it is a blatant padding of time on replacing parts, which I have caught, and made copies of the books showing how long it lasts, etc....if you paid with a credit card, you can start a process with them. Otherwise, well, chalk it up to experience. Sorry! Car repairs are the worst.
2006-11-27 15:29:39 · answer #7 · answered by curiositycat 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
one thing to consider is that depending on how old the vehicle is then the wheel studs can start to stretch and pull from on and off repeatedly.then one time when you change a tire the threads will pile up in the nut and break off,this is not uncommon and the main reason for useing a torque wrench for final tightening.and not hammering the nuts down with an impact
2006-11-27 19:06:17 · answer #8 · answered by doug b 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would seem to me that you caused the problem with the crossed threads. Did the lug nuts spin off when you put the spare on? if so then they where not cross thread until the spare was put on. If you put it on or if someone helped you, then they or your caused the problem. the other solution is that the spare was not tighten properly and was lose when you took the car in. this would have chewed up the threads on the studs. It is likely he did not cause the problem.
2006-11-27 15:30:08 · answer #9 · answered by gearnofear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First mistake, was to go to good year.
then you listened to them. consider, if the lugg nutts were stripped and would stay tight , the tire will come off on you in pretty short time. what ever caused the flat, is not the mechanics fault. Good year is nortious for telling people they need some ting when you don't.
Go back to the origional mechanic, calmly tell him what good year told you, and would he please correct the problem.
If after that, and your not satisifyed with the results, wright a letter to the B.B.B
2006-11-27 15:33:06 · answer #10 · answered by duster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋