This doesn't read very calm by the time you get to the end. You should have insisted on the exhaust thing before paying. Maybe you can go on the peoples court and get some help from that red headed Puerto Rican Chicca. It does seem like you're gettin' hosed a bit,by the mech and your doctor/s. There is something inherantly wrong with taking 23 pills a day. No wonder you're stressed out. Maybe you should cut back to 2,just a blood thinner and maybe Valium or Thorazine.
<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off"> Unless you had the car picked up by some one you made a mistake by paying for it. go postal ,tell them you are not getting what you paid for. way wrong to leave a car and not be there while the work is being done. </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
It was not wrong ot leave a car while the work is being done. This is sign of trust towards the company/mechanic working on the vehicle. I work in a dealership and have absolutely nothing to hide about what I do and how I repair customers cars. Some customers are genuinely interested in how cars are repaired, others just don't trust anyone. As much as I don't have anything to hide about my work, My feeling is 'if you don't trust me with your car, dont' bring it to me for work'. You should be able to drop your car off and have reasonable expectations the the work will be performed to your liking. I spent some time in a local speed shop as a wrench, and found that installing dual exhaust can be a very difficult job especially if running 3" over the rear axle and out the back. (this means past the rear bumper, not behind the tires, that would be 'behind the tires'). If they were unable to meet your request and understood what you wanted they should have notified you before continuing. It may have been a little inconvienent for both of you if they asked you to come down and look at the car before the continued on, but this would have save you both some aggrevation in the long run. If they are a full service repair garage, they should have been able to get you a new master cyl and install it for you while the car was there the first time. Again, they should have called and asked what you wanted to do at that point. I think you need to find a different shop for future projects, sometimes a little more money upfront or a little longer drive to get there is well worth it in the long run. Most mechanics/technicians want to make the customer happy as they have self pride in what they do (atleast the guys I know), it sounds like these guys really don't care-kinda like the radio spots: "If the offer to rotate your hub caps, they might not have your best interests in mind" I am not sure what you can get back from them but atleast give it a shot. Don't do anything that will bring health issues upon yourself, it is infact only a car, and the exhaust will function until you can save up to get it done 'right'. As far as the master cyl, I assume you have disc/drum set up. If so, you should have a proportioning valve also(if not internal of the master cyl) If this proportioning valve is not 'centered' it will only allow pressure to either the front or rear brakes until centered. you will get some fluid and some air bubbles out but no real pressure. I would check into that before having the m/c replaced. (if they are a repair shop, they should know that this is necessary when bleeding brakes, make sure all components are functioning properly first).
Any HAMBers down there that can help? or do I have to come down there? Sounds like were dealin' with a veteran here guys, and he needs help. If you've kept up with the news, he probably isn't getting much help... can we provide some support? I'm a vet, too, and think that this bond should be as strong, if not stronger, than that between club "brothers". Old fart, I'll PM you for details. I can get down there on Thursday this week to bleed your brakes, if needed. I'll be watching this thread to see if anyone closer can stand up. Or meet me down there. vic USA 68-73.
I would love to help. Only the 14hr each way commute is keeping me back. If you had the car within and hour or so, it would be done already, and no big bill for less than acceptable work. Worry about the ticker first, it is hard to drive from the hospital bed. The car will come around eventually. How about a fundrasier to get some coin up to help get this car going in the right direction.Maybe take a couple of pics of you and the car and offer them for a couple-afew buck each. Might get better results than you think. Most of us don't mind helping out a little at a time. A couple of buck here, a couple of bucks there... much better than someone asking for $50-75 at a time. Plus, its not like you don't know where the dough is going. Just an idea, don't know if anyone else thinks this way or not.
14 hours from Connecticut to Florida DAMN! that is one fast ride you have, and a good radar detector too
Having done service writing at a couple of shops, sounds like, from the one side I heard from, that the shop flat out put the exhaust outlets in the wrong place. Whenever I wasn't sure what the customer wanted, or ran into any kind of snag, I got on the phone. And I didn't have a hell of a lot of problems with anybody, because I always treated 'em square. Wasn't shy of charging, had to deliver bad news sometimes, but never lied to/bullshitted anyone. And I think people pretty well could tell that. On the M/C... well, I never did like using a customer supplied part. Even if they went to the dealer, and got a brand new OEM piece (too often they'd bring in some Cardone piece of shit, because they usually wanted a cheaper price than the part I'd source), I still didn't like to get involved. Why? Because, I can't go return your part for a new one if it's not right. There's no way in hell I'd ship a car with a fucked up master cylinder unless the customer demanded I give him his car back right then. And I'd make him sign a copy of the invoice stating that we believe the car to be unsafe for operation and recommend it be towed from the facility. And about blowing out a MC because I pushed too far while bleeding... BFD. Would you rather that the cup in the cylinder failed while I pushed down bleeding, or when you do the 'two-footer' panic stop, and cram the piston farther than normal down the bore? If a ten year old master blows out during bleeding, I don't even feel sorry; they don't last forever anyway. -bill
HEY GUYS,I'm too far away to stop by,but any chance we can help this good guy out?Let's show a little positive power of the HAMB for a veteran.Surely a shop gathering/work party at a hamb'rs shop could raise a little parts donation and labour,could be a fun,rewarding time.This is the same guy,that bought an extra HAMB calendar,on his limited funds to give to a HAMB'r down on funds this winter.Seems he's in need of some HAMB support now!Can anybody in Florida help out?
I certainly wasn't trying to condemn you, I was just sharing what came to my mind. If I were in Florida, I'd certainly be first in line to bleed those brakes and treat for lunch! peace, John
Sounds great Vic.I live a mile from the beach and have 2 empty beds and a back yard.Not a palace but its mine.And its yours for the weekend if you want it.If anyone else wants to come,let me know.Its supposed to be in the 80s and the bikinis will be plentiful(bring your own heart meds.LOL 386-788-4874