****eful Service - Mechanic

[mike_beecham]

Hi All,
Vehicle - 06 TD5 Defender
Had an oil leak coming out of the inner axle seal 200kms after it being done by my mechanic + 100,000km service - thought this was just not explained away by him saying my diff breathers were clogged (!!!!!) so l took a look myself. Found the following:

Inner Hub Seal
-Damaged
-Not recessed into the hub the 4mm as specified on the seal
-Seal had ben brushing on the hub and damged the itself

Inner Wheel Bearing Shell
-Lose in nut
-Removed both
-Excessive wear on hub (not servicable)
-Causing shell to spin freely
-Also wear to bearings
-This likely to be causing excessive wear on the axle splines

Stub Axle
-Heat and scorching marks
-Needs to be replaced.


My issue is not the wear of the hub or axles - that is life! BUT - l do expect a mechanic (qualified) to notice that there is a lip worn in the hub where the sheels sit, heat marks, excessive wear, allowing my bearing rings to freely spin!

Clearly he has just slipped the new bearings in to the old, non-servicable hub.

It is my feeling he owes me:
- set of bearings
- free labour to install the new hub/stub axle etc.

OR am l better to do this myself not sure l trust his work?
I have a current account of $400 owing to him. After bearings, labour and time, l think that bill should be written off...

Thoughts?


Mike

[Landy Smurf]

stick it to the man

[mike_beecham]

My feelings exactly!

I am happy to show him the damaged hub, seal and rings after l have replaced them - but l am not keen on him doing the work?

Mike

[Landy Smurf]

well maybe you can get the head mechanic to do it

[Loubrey]

Have it done professionally and counter charge him for the difference. We do it often at work. If someone has done poor work we offer him the opportunity to redo it. If they refuse, we have it done by another party and invoice the first one for the difference in price.

You will obviously get nothing back from him, but you will only lay out your money once for a proper job!

Poor workmanship gives me the *****! :mad:

[mike_beecham]

Thanks.
My mate thatpulled it aparrt - is a qualified mechanic and second generation LR owner (all defenders). He knows what he is doing for sure.

I am happy for him to do the job - but l want the outstanding invoice amount ($400) wiped in lieu. Like l said l am happy to supply him the stuffed parts (that he didn't pick up on).


Mike

[scott oz]

Just tell him the problems and hence you're not paying the bill.

End of the day, what goes "around comes around" you never know when he may be the only mechanic available??

[mike_beecham]

Have paid the bill for this job ($1000). Owe for a re-build of clutch master and slave / bleed of clutch ($400).

Will say - he failed to bleed clutch anywhere near properly - had to do ourselves. It was almost not disenfgaging by time l got it home!

Mike

[Carslil Jim]

Mike,
I think you should discuss the issues with the mechanic. He may fall on sword and apologise and offer to redo the work and offer some compensation eg $100 off next job for your trouble.

He may also have a perspective you have not heard.

If unhappy then you can move to more drastic measures such as not paying for the work.

[scott oz]

You're in the gun seat you've got the money and he's going to wont it.

Remember you will have to prove he did a dud job.

Given the clutch I'djust ring and say good buy. From the sound of it I wouldn't go to him even if he was the last mechanic.

Good luck.

[Blknight.aus]

its actually easy enough to stuff up if your not paying attention.

Whats a bet he uses "the bearings went in ok, Must be a faulty shell, take it up with the bearing company" but accepts not putting the seal in correctly.

[lardy]

My feelings exactly!

I am happy to show him the damaged hub, seal and rings after l have replaced them - but l am not keen on him doing the work?

Mike

I would photograph the work if poss to show you are being kosher, I f it has a date stamp to the camera all the better