Sold my car :) :)

[groff22]

Hi Guys,

Well I traded in my first car after 4 years. It was a 1990 Corolla in rather immaculate condition when I bought it, and more or less semi-suspect the day I got rid of it... I picked up a new (to me) 2002 GMC Sonoma. The truck is amazing and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Anyway, before I bought it, I had a second mechanic lift it up and do the 50pt inspection. He found that the rear brakes should be changed, so on condition of the sale I let the dealership do the needful and have them replaced. Ok, I dont rant... But! ... In the two weeks i've owned the truck, it's been at the dealership 3 times with a stuck rear caliper... WTF. The smell it produces is like a hockey change room x 10 and I've now heard "Ok, your brakes are fixed, you can come get your truck." two times too many and I'm wondering what advice anyone has for suspect mechanics as this? I'm bringing it in again tomorrow for one final look and I think if they can't fix it this time I'm thinking i'll bring it to an official brake specialist (midas or whatnot) and have the dealer foot the bill. Think that's a good idea? What is the normal protocol... I don't feel right threatening a dealer but I didn't pay all this money for this sh@%!?!?

ARrrgh.

Anyhoo..

[X-ray]

Is there a lemon law up North there?  Bring the truck back for the same problem 3 times sounds too excesive!  IMO the dealer should give back your old car if you want it, or if you don't, atleast give you a refund of all cost related to the brake fixes. Good Luck

[groff22]

No, I don't think so - or it's not a well outlined as in the US. There is some kind of arbitration in place but it varies by each province's government, but not sure I want to take it that far as the rest of the vehicle is top notch. I'll give him another chance and then blow a gasket of my own if it's not fixed...

[LimaXray]

rear brakes?  They need to adjust the e-brake cable.  They tighten themselves as the rear brakes wear down, so when you changes the brake pads in the back, you have to adjust the cables.  I get the feeling that because the procedure for every car is so different, a lot of mechanics don't do it.

either that or they messed up your caliper in some way and should buy you a new one

[natedawg120]

they will adjust thiemselves but there is no need to adjust the cable.  The way the caliper has a hydrolic piston that goes in and out but the way it adjusts is like a screw.  The piston actually screw itself out as the pad wares down.  If the shop tride to compress the caliper then they have probably boken it and it is not adjusting properly anymore.  If they did it correctly and screwed that piston back in then it is probably just a bad caliper. 

[groff22]

Well the brakes are fixed. But some lady backed into my drivers side door... karma? ... why?