General Issue with a garage.

[RobL]

I thought I would post this for members opinions.
On collecting my motorhome ( Fiat Ducato 2.8 jtd X230 2003) from storage back in march this year I found the brakes had completely failed.
I had it transported to a garage in Gloucester for investigation. The fault was both slave cylinders on the rear brakes had failed and badly leaked brake fluid. It may have happened on a particulary cold night in December but just a theory. I've taken the motorhome to this garage on a couple of other occasions for unrelated faults. Each time I get the same question "we can't find parts using the registration" and each time have to explain because it's a motorhome they won't find parts using the registration. Each time I have to give the base model details as above. They explained they had ordered the wrong size brake shoes but could re-shim the originals as there was plenty of wear left in them.
When I questioned are they sure that was ok to do they said it was perfectly fine and wouldn't do it if it wasn't.
The same garage has just failed the rear brakes on its MOT. I've driven it less than 1000 miles since the repair was done 3 months ago. So they have effectively failed their own repair and I've most probably been driving with defective brakes.
It would be interesting to find out how members would deal with this.

 

[bugsymike]

I thought I would post this for members opinions.
On collecting my motorhome ( Fiat Ducato 2.8 jtd X230 2003) from storage back in march this year I found the brakes had completely failed.
I had it transported to a garage in Gloucester for investigation. The fault was both slave cylinders on the rear brakes had failed and badly leaked brake fluid. It may have happened on a particulary cold night in December but just a theory. I've taken the motorhome to this garage on a couple of other occasions for unrelated faults. Each time I get the same question "we can't find parts using the registration" and each time have to explain because it's a motorhome they won't find parts using the registration. Each time I have to give the base model details as above. They explained they had ordered the wrong size brake shoes but could re-shim the originals as there was plenty of wear left in them.
When I questioned are they sure that was ok to do they said it was perfectly fine and wouldn't do it if it wasn't.
The same garage has just failed the rear brakes on its MOT. I've driven it less than 1000 miles since the repair was done 3 months ago. So they have effectively failed their own repair and I've most probably been driving with defective brakes.
It would be interesting to find out how members would deal with this.

It doesn't sound like a very competent repair in the first place. I can't see cold weather being the cause.
If you have the inclination you could get a specialist engineers report on the work done and take them to court possibly involving DVLA also.
Any professional overhauling brakes etc. would expect their work to last for a long time.
I assume they didn't make any notes on the invoice suggesting a temporary repair was done due to parts unavailability etc.
Given the hassle a long protracted court case would involve unless you can reach an agreement with the garage, I would tend to "bit the bullet" and just go and find a good garage based on recommendation from other people that you know and trust.
Though retired now, I ran my own workshop for over forty years and never needed to advertise, my work came from recommendation, so the customers knew thew would get a good job and I knew their cheques would bounce.

 

[porta]

I would expect the garage to pick up the tab for the brakes…
If the cylinders were leaking I would have insisted on new shoes
If your having to remind them on model etc they care little for you except your money

 

[RobL]

It doesn't sound like a very competent repair in the first place. I can't see cold weather being the cause.
If you have the inclination you could get a specialist engineers report on the work done and take them to court possibly involving DVLA also.
Any professional overhauling brakes etc. would expect their work to last for a long time.
I assume they didn't make any notes on the invoice suggesting a temporary repair was done due to parts unavailability etc.
Given the hassle a long protracted court case would involve unless you can reach an agreement with the garage, I would tend to "bit the bullet" and just go and find a good garage based on recommendation from other people that you know and trust.
Though retired now, I ran my own workshop for over forty years and never needed to advertise, my work came from recommendation, so the customers knew thew would get a good job and I knew their cheques would bounce.

I think you are right "bite the bullet" and like you say a protracted court case. I'll just have the pleasure they won't get anymore business from me. I only used them because they deal with motorhomes and my daughters recommended them. Although my daughters have since lost faith in them because of misdiagnosed problems such as the last one where one of their vans(dog care business)developed a fault that it wouldn't go into gear. They replaced the gearstick which didn't solve the problem and then suggested they replace the clutch, which had actually been replaced recently by the previous owner. The alarm bells were ringing by now so they took the vehicle to a garage they had previously dealt with. The fault turned out to be the clutch needed bleeding and wasn't disengaging the clutch enough to engage gears. Just basic mechanics. The gearstick replacement cost £250 and would have been a further £500 for a new clutch. It would have solved the fault but only because the new clutch would have required bleeding. Unfortunately the other garage doesn't deal with large vehicles such as motorhomes so I'll keep looking.
It's the devil you know rather than the devil you don't, it's a sad situation.

 

[cris1117]

https://www.motorhomefacts.com/forums/

Ask here free sign up a mine of info for motorhomers.

 

[bugsymike]

I tend to "vote with my feet" and whether it was a over priced repair on a motorcycle mag/dynamo, a rip off quote for a computer repair or a dodgy meal at a restaurant all those companies went bust due to their practices and I was still trading.
The trouble is now everyone goes online for everything, from a partner for life to a house repair, at the end of the day personal recommendation is probably best.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I have never heard of shimming brakes to take account of wear and cannot understand this at all.
If the slaves had failed and fluid entered teh drums the brakes should be relined as a matter of course.
I would get a certified garage thats a member of SMMT or similar to look at it and fix it and ask for a report on what they find with photos and then forward these to trading standards. This is to ensure that they are checked and verified as safe before someone is killed by their questionable work.
It annoying to pay out twice but better this than have a brake failure on the road!

 

[RobL]

I haven't heard of it either. What does it even mean? scraping off the contaminated bits?
It's bullshit, they just couldn't be bothered to obtain the correct size shoes and just refitted the contaminated ones.
They are stripping the brakes as they call it next Tuesday. I haven't let on yet there is a problem other than reminding them they serviced the brakes in March I will then take it to another garage as you suggest (legit one) for inspection. If there is a problem then will report it to Trading Standards.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Trying very hard to imagine how you would "shim" the brakes? I've never heard of it in a lifetime spent in and around the motor trade. Also new cylinders needed because the old ones were leaking so badly the brakes failed completely? It would be very surprising to find the shoes had survived that.

 

[jackwhoo]

What is name of garage so it can be avoided?

 

[RobL]

What is name of garage so it can be avoided?

I would like nothing better than to name the garage now. I'm going to wait and see what the final outcome is. I don't want to end up being sued. The garage is in Quedgeley Gloucester.

 

[cris1117]

Hi I used to be a mechanic on goods vehicles many years ago, I would guess they are going to cook them to burn off the brake fluid contamination.
We used to do this on a fairly regular basis, just wash the old shoes with paraffin then run the torch over them until they are dry.

Worked well back then but not sure it would be acceptable these days.

The link I gave above has lots of useful info you can ask for advice on good and bad garages in various area’s and where to get spares parts.

Best places to park overnight, cheapest ferry crossings and everthing to do with campers found it very useful when I had my camper.

 

[RobL]

Hi I used to be a mechanic on goods vehicles many years ago, I would guess they are going to cook them to burn off the brake fluid contamination.
We used to do this on a fairly regular basis, just wash the old shoes with paraffin then run the torch over them until they are dry.

Worked well back then but not sure it would be acceptable these days.

The link I gave above has lots of useful info you can ask for advice on good and bad garages in various area’s and where to get spares parts.

Best places to park overnight, cheapest ferry crossings and everthing to do with campers found it very useful when I had my camper.

Hi. I agree a lot of dodgy stuff went on years ago probably resulting in deaths. Thank god we've moved on from that or have we? I now have to weigh up the best way forward. As bugsymike said, is litigation going to be worth it. I'll probably have to pay a few extra quid but then they'll get no more from me. Also my daughter's gave them a lot of business which they have now lost. What goes around comes around.
Thanks very much for the advice but I gave up with Motorhome forums a while ago, motorhome facts and motorhome fun(it was anything but) every post seemed to decend into an argument. I have a couple of apps park4night and search for sites which are very useful.
I'm not sure if there is a recommended garage page on this forum( if not it would be a good idea) I'll take a look.

 

[jackwhoo]

Is your moho on an alko rear chassis?
Was thinking about why in a search the registration plate doesn't bring up correct parts

 

[RobL]

Is your moho on an alko rear chassis?
Was thinking about why in a search the registration plate doesn't bring up correct parts

Yes it's Alko chassis A class motorhome. Registration search in my case Knaus not the base vehicle Fiat. Incedently the garage didn't know what an Alko chassis was. The brakes are Fiat. They still managed to order the wrong size. I always thought the procedure was remove the shoes, measure them, then order up. Obviously didn't do it.

 

[jackwhoo]

Yes it's Alko chassis A class motorhome. Registration search in my case Knaus not the base vehicle Fiat. Incedently the garage didn't know what an Alko chassis was. The brakes are Fiat. They still managed to order the wrong size. I always thought the procedure was remove the shoes, measure them, then order up. Obviously didn't do it.

If there is a choice of brake parts for a vehicle it can be tricky. Sounds like the correct size brake shoes were not in stock at local supplier and rather than wait for correct shoes(probably next day delivery) the old shoes were bodged back on, possibly because they didn't want your vehicle taking up space with them-very poor behaviour in my mind.

 

[RobL]

Another story my daughter's told me about dealing with this garage. It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.
There van failed the MOT on rear brakes as well.
They picked up the van after repair and were given the MOT pass certificate.
Two weeks later they noticed a bag of brake parts in the back of the van. On contacting the garage to question it, "oh didn't we fit them I'll have to book you in". So in essence they issued a pass certificate when the fault hadn't been rectified.

 

[RobL]

If there is a choice of brake parts for a vehicle it can be tricky. Sounds like the correct size brake shoes were not in stock at local supplier and rather than wait for correct shoes(probably next day delivery) the old shoes were bodged back on, possibly because they didn't want your vehicle taking up space with them-very poor behaviour in my mind.

Exactly right that's what happened!!

 

[porta]

Another story my daughter's told me about dealing with this garage. It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.
There van failed the MOT on rear brakes as well.
They picked up the van after repair and were given the MOT pass certificate.
Two weeks later they noticed a bag of brake parts in the back of the van. On contacting the garage to question it, "oh didn't we fit them I'll have to book you in". So in essence they issued a pass certificate when the fault hadn't been rectified.

They did this on my brothers brakes. Rang him to say it had failed and they could do it, so he said yes, rang him back to say there was play in wheel bearing, so he said do it…issued pass certificate, went to pick car up and there was a box on drivers seat with full set of pads and a wheel bearing and hub nut…marched back into reception, demanded money back and I did job for him…you’ve got to wonder at some places

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

They did this on my brothers brakes. Rang him to say it had failed and they could do it, so he said yes, rang him back to say there was play in wheel bearing, so he said do it…issued pass certificate, went to pick car up and there was a box on drivers seat with full set of pads and a wheel bearing and hub nut…marched back into reception, demanded money back and I did job for him…you’ve got to wonder at some places

You could perhaps understand something like this happening once, as an isolated incident. But here we have several instances of the same thing happening. Workshop control must be virtually non existent and I would question if any sort of quality control is being exercised. When I was a working workshop foreman/manager I knew at all times how jobs were progressing so that if a customer rang in I could very quickly give an update and likely finish time on the job. This crowd sound very slap dash and, if they are as bad as we are hearing here, I wouldn't be entrusting them with my old pushbike!

Hi I used to be a mechanic on goods vehicles many years ago, I would guess they are going to cook them to burn off the brake fluid contamination.
We used to do this on a fairly regular basis, just wash the old shoes with paraffin then run the torch over them until they are dry.

Worked well back then but not sure it would be acceptable these days.

Back in the day, when I was an impecunious student of motor engineering, I tried various versions of "cooking" contaminated brake shoes - discs were only fitted to "exotic" stuff like E type Jags back then and I was working on Minis and Anglias, A35 etc. I've made bonfires with them soaked in petrol, cooked them in the digs oven (that didn't go down very well), washed them in cellulose thinners and then burnt them, washed them in Gunk etc, etc. I found that although they looked clean and dry to start with you could never get the contamination out of them deep down and often, when you next looked at them, they were slightly greasy again. By the time I was actually earning my living at this game it was common practice to simply renew contaminated shoes as you couldn't guarantee an MOT pass with cleaned up shoes. In fact the thought of the consequences rather frighten me now so I'm glad it was only my own and fellow student's vehicles that we experimented on. I wouldn't like to try the descent into Lynmouth (Devon) on a set of linings "cleaned up" in this way!