Brake Masters Shop intentionally damage the rack and pinion of my car Phoenix Arizona
I took my car to have brakes done at this Brake Masters on Saturday March 7, 2009. I drove the car in perfect drivable condition, only the brakes needed repair. It is important to note that I had the car completely serviced at Desert Car Care the week prior so it was in perfect mechanical condition.
The counter desk attendant was initially upset when I indicated that I only wanted front pads replaced and told me I would be called later. I left the premises and about an hour later he calls me with the news that the entire front brakes system hardware needed to be replaced. I knew this was not true, but since it was the weekend and I was in a hurry I accepted the $395 charge which included lifetime brakes. When the work was done and I was on my way to pick up the car, I get another call from Horacio (the counter attendant) indicating he was worried about my power-steering, he said the car had a leak and I needed to get this fixed.
As I indicated earlier, I just had the car fully serviced and drove it into their shop with NO leaks. There was no fluid on the floor when I left it there; and no fluid in my garage either. When I arrive at their shop to pick up, there was a pool of power-steering fluid under the car and the steering wheel was so stiff that it was almost impossible to drive. I asked them what they have done to it and they looked at me as if I was crazy. They told me this fantastic story about the rack and pinion simply blowing up.
I complained to their manager and stated that I would never have any repairs done at that shop ever since I knew they caused this damage. I then took the car to Desert Car Care, my shop of confidence, on Monday March 9 and they confirmed that the rack and pinion were intentionally damaged. We took photographs of the damaged parts.
The unethical business practices of this store located at Ray Road and I-10 in Phoenix are beyond understanding. Their predatory tactics cost me $1,000 in repairs to bring the car back to driving condition. It is outrageous that businesses like this are allowed to inflict this kind of calamity on people's lives.
Abused shopper
Phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Ase Certified Master Tech
Maricopa,Arizona,
U.S.A.
It's just a dust boot
#4Consumer Suggestion
Wed, June 17, 2009
The only thing they could have "pierced" is the bellow boot. The only thing this boot does is stop dust from entering into your rack and pinion. If this boot was already full of oil when they pierced it then your rack and pinion was already defective. It's very common for these boots to be soaked in oil from fluid leaking out of the ends.
"It is important to note that I had the car completely serviced at Desert Car Care the week prior so it was in perfect mechanical condition"
Is it possible that the mechanic at Desert Car Care who said your car was in perfect mechanical condition could have missed the fact that your rack and pinion was indeed already leaking? Chances are you took it in for an oil change and a general service guy changed your oil but had no idea how to check for other problems. Also if Desert Car Care is your shop of confidence, why in the world would you take it to another shop for brakes?
Abused shopper
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Explain This Mr Ex-Empoyee
#4Author of original report
Wed, June 17, 2009
First, you say that the part could have been damaged while they were test driving the vehice, ok, why didn't they admit to that since you say they are so honest? Second, the pinion was pierced with something sharp, I had it inspected by three other mechanics from different shops and they all concluded that the pinion did not break from normal wear and tear, it was intentionally damaged. If you still doubt my testimony, you are welcome to inspect the photos I took and the actual pinion, I have saved it for a court appearance.
Scotman
Glendale,Arizona,
U.S.A.
About your problem
#4UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, May 18, 2009
1st off i worked for brakemasters for a long time. All the shops are honest. Just because you took your car in there with no leaks doesnt mean they did something to it. That why parts fail. Just because it was fine when you brought it in and had checked week prior. They could have took on test drive and it happen then. Just like you put a new light bulb in turn switch and new bulb blows, Why Becuz s**t happens. We used to get new alternator in box that were no good. I know it seems bad and is hard to explain but that stuff is very common, Just cuz it was checked doesnt mean it was ok at that time, all parts wear aand break sometime