Robert
Jacksonville,#2Consumer Suggestion
Wed, October 20, 2004
This repair order you faxed me is hurting my head. I see what you mean on most of it. First, the rear brake "clean/adjust" is probably just a standard invoicing program. I wouldn't worry about that. The front end work is about right in price. They added some to the list price on the parts, but cut some slack in labor charges. That is a wash. "Customer states passenger side tire grinding metal sound". This is the fun part. To correct this, they decide to replace the MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. Do you know what this is? It is the switch that you use to operate the turn signals, high-beams, and usually, the wipers. What does this have to do with the brakes? And charging $332.50 to "trace and replace" is absurd. This is a 1.0 hour R/R job. Add the standard .8 diagnostic time, and at their labor rate, you'd be charged about $160 labor, not $332.50. I am guessing their labor rate is about $90/hour. I really don't know since they don't have the decency to put it on the estimate. That is telling in and of itself. But, again, what does the turn signal switch have to do with brakes grinding. They also replaced the front pads and rotors. That would be the grinding noise. The transmission problems are more than likely attributed to the front end being torn up. I am guessing you were in an accident or bounced hard off a curb to damage the knuckle. If the front wheels are not being held correctly, in place and secure, the transmission WILL act strangely when driving. I firmly believe they took you on the transmission stuff. They even wrote what your complaint was. "The transmission is bucking and grinding, gear changes very hard, almost puts car out of control". The grinding was the brakes. The bucking and out of control stuff comes from the wheels going in different directions instead of parallel to each other. I see this often enough with all types of FWD vehicles, and they all behave the same. The car wants to go 3 different directions at once, and gaining speed exacerbates the issue. They also charged you $8.85/quart of fluid. HOLY SAMOLY!! I wish I could get a 400% markup on my tranny fluid. Honda fluid doesn't even cost 1/2 that much over the counter at the dealership. I hope this has helped. Some people in these threads despise me, both business owners and individuals alike, but I only speak the truth. Sorry for the bad news, but I think you were expecting it.
Sean
Huntington Station,#3Author of original report
Sat, October 16, 2004
So the final problems after mechanic fully fixed car and went over the bill is 1. Over Charging on everything (To be expected) 2. Charage for adjusting and cleaning rear breaks but they are disc breaks and there is nothing to adjust and the deffinatley were no cleaned at all. (They weren't even touched and I have the video to prove it before any extra work was done on the car) 3. The either pressed the right rotor on crooked or something because it could not even be taken apart, and this is a brand new $45 rotor which they charged me $89.80 for which is useless to me now and sitting in my shed (So if Freehold Hyundai would like to respond to this or anyone else wants to give it a shot to get it apart be my guest to get in touch with me and let me know because I cant do anything with a rotor I am not a mechanic) 4. THEY SCREWED UP THE AXEL SO BAD IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE PICTURES AND I WILL POST THEM ON THIS WEBSITE. The tred was stripped right in the middle so bad that it could not be salvaged the axel needed to be sent back so I was not able to keep it but I have digital pictures and I am sure that if ultimate proof is needed we can find out where the axel is being sent and if hyundai or whoever doesnt destroy it right away could probabyl get it back.)
Robert
Jacksonville,#4Consumer Suggestion
Fri, October 15, 2004
Go ahead and send me the invoice. I will do my best and shoot it back to you or write it up in this report for all to see. I'm pretty good at looking for Dealership add-ons in repair orders. My fax number is (904)381-1270. I'll even give you back what the actual cost should have been. How's that for service?!