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1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
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Getting suspension work done?. . . please read! I'm posting this recent experience to the board for the benefit of all:
I wanted to replace my front struts at 112K and after research here, ordered the ones I wanted.
Due to cold weather, thought that this was an indy job that the local Pep Boys shop could handle -- after all they DO sell struts and advertise installation -- when checking shop manager, he agreed to take on the job. As I picked up the car, I noticed a front end rattle driving around the block, took it back and asked them to re-inspect everything. They put it on the lift and found nothing; I asked to check and immediately noticed grease at the ball joints and that both boots were torn -- they had obviously taken a shortcut and used the wicked and evil PICKLE FORK tool on the ball joints instead of the recommended puller...according to board testimony this is guaranteed to destroy the ball joint seals!! I had to point out what they had done and demand replacement of the ball joint boots ($20 ea.). Caught red-handed by a well-informed customer who refused to pay and take delivery of the vehicle, the shop aquiesced and installed new boots the next day without charge.
The rattle turned out to be a loose strut top nut (which I took care of), but the lesson here is that there must be LOTS of suspension installers out there using these time-saving "destroyer" tools.
What's more, most trusting Saab owners will never be the wiser or have the opportunity to notice this with the car on the ground...untill their ball joints start to fail prematurely!
I'm STILL haunted by the thought that this shop might not have correctly installed the boot retainer springs -- said to be a frustrating job that takes some skill. But with the car on the ground, how would I know?
A word to the wise; when dealing with repair shops, GUARD YOUR BALLS (joints)!
posted by 172.128....
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