Wow. I'm glad Tools is local to me. Between Inkpot and him, great guys that know their stuff. Sorry to hear about your early ownership woes.
Loud, tire rotation speed buzzing from front/right part of LC
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Wow. Glad you got it sorted out.
If you paid with a credit card, dispute it as soon as possible!
If you paid with a credit card, dispute it as soon as possible!
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So much whining, got serviced by ACE-certified techs in a nice shop, it could have been 2 hacks in a hovel,,, wait, JJ was there so, 3 hacks?
We had other plans, first was 2 wheeling days, dashed by weather (rain), then had another project. Drew called about a noise, so awaited his arrival. Looked it over, are you sure they worked on this? So, that is what a $2400 knuckle/birf job looks like, I had never seen one before? Only 3 knuckle studs maybe the new thing, and you want them tight too, some people are very demanding?
...
We had other plans, first was 2 wheeling days, dashed by weather (rain), then had another project. Drew called about a noise, so awaited his arrival. Looked it over, are you sure they worked on this? So, that is what a $2400 knuckle/birf job looks like, I had never seen one before? Only 3 knuckle studs maybe the new thing, and you want them tight too, some people are very demanding?
...
I don't see how anyone could work on that and not disturb the grease. lol
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Took a quick test drive, was aborted sooner than intended by horrible noises.
Pulled the wheel, were going to look into the knuckle fill hole to see if there was any grease, but noted that the ABS sensor bolt was just sitting in the hole, so pulled the sensor out. Inside was dry, could plainly see the clean, new bushing and that there was a gap between the it and the spindle. So much for the other project.
Inkpot started taking it apart, popped the cap, the birf snap ring was in the cap, so easy deal. Off with the drive plate, the bearing nuts were installed with a chisel and the star washer was only bent to the outside nut, not anything special, seen that before.
Next the caliper it moved, wasn't tight, had the wrong bolts in it. The spindle only had two wrong bolts. They are handing me the wrong bolts and I'm looking to be sure we have correct replacements, looking at them they are miscellaneous, used, like from various domestic cars. I have no problem with good used hardware, as long as it correct, proper for the application.
Pulled the spindle.
Pulled the wheel, were going to look into the knuckle fill hole to see if there was any grease, but noted that the ABS sensor bolt was just sitting in the hole, so pulled the sensor out. Inside was dry, could plainly see the clean, new bushing and that there was a gap between the it and the spindle. So much for the other project.
Inkpot started taking it apart, popped the cap, the birf snap ring was in the cap, so easy deal. Off with the drive plate, the bearing nuts were installed with a chisel and the star washer was only bent to the outside nut, not anything special, seen that before.
Next the caliper it moved, wasn't tight, had the wrong bolts in it. The spindle only had two wrong bolts. They are handing me the wrong bolts and I'm looking to be sure we have correct replacements, looking at them they are miscellaneous, used, like from various domestic cars. I have no problem with good used hardware, as long as it correct, proper for the application.
Pulled the spindle.
Not entirely true, here is photographic evidence, there is grease and my quick glance at the invoice says that is very expensive grease! I'm not that experienced with grease in that price range, but it is likely a "you get what you pay" for thing, likely need to be sparing with it, not slop it around willy-nilly?
Hacks 
Is that two-side foam tape that was used for a gasket? The stub axle surely isn't new. There doesn't look like there is a cotter pin in the tie-rod end.
You and others could have been injured or killed. I'm very glad you are OK. Kudos to "team" Arizona for all pitching in to help.
That work not was not only negligent but criminal. I would pursue reimbursement in addition to reporting them to the police and Better Business Autotline.
You and others could have been injured or killed. I'm very glad you are OK. Kudos to "team" Arizona for all pitching in to help.
That work not was not only negligent but criminal. I would pursue reimbursement in addition to reporting them to the police and Better Business Autotline.
This is why I love IH8MUD! It's a constant "pay it forward" chain. I've reaped the benefits of the expertise from the experts on this site and have been able to help a few people later down the road. Such a great group of guys that are always willing to help others.
Where in Iowa are you from? I'm in Cedar Rapids.
Where in Iowa are you from? I'm in Cedar Rapids.
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I live in Newton. Small world!
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Time to remove the birf to see if it has any grease, Inkpot removes the diff fill plug, nothing comes out, sticks his finger in and can't reach gear oil. Good deal, won't leak out when the axle is pulled! The birf has grease and it's even moly!
But, (I didn't mention this to Drew, his headache was already well developed) the birf/axle looks like one of those chinese combos, likely CV Unlimited. Have installed them before, they are serviceable, and when there is a budget (like only have $1400 to spend on a replacement) compromises have to be made. Of course the seal wasn't greased and the diff was low, so the seal has already made a nice groove in it.
At this point, start evaluating what we have and know. The knuckle; both caliper bolt holes have helicoils, on one they didn't have a long one, so put short ones in from each side, the other had the wrong thread bolt stripped into it. Grabbed the torque wrench, one of the top trunnion cap bolts just spun, stripped, removed them, both wrong, the one way too short, got the correct bolts, one torqued to 71ft/lb, didn't dare on the other, at 50ft/lb it feels springy. The lower 3 nuts all felt springy at 50ft/lb. So we have what 10 holes with threads that need attention = new knuckle.
The bushing looks like something that would cause the noise? But the diff is also very low on fluid, so is it also making noise? At this point it was decided to do a "get it off of the trail" type repair, enough to drive, put a few miles on it and reevaluate on Monday. If the diff is good will get a new knuckle, etc, if the diff is making noise, likely swap the whole axle.
The "new" bushing.
But, (I didn't mention this to Drew, his headache was already well developed) the birf/axle looks like one of those chinese combos, likely CV Unlimited. Have installed them before, they are serviceable, and when there is a budget (like only have $1400 to spend on a replacement) compromises have to be made. Of course the seal wasn't greased and the diff was low, so the seal has already made a nice groove in it.
At this point, start evaluating what we have and know. The knuckle; both caliper bolt holes have helicoils, on one they didn't have a long one, so put short ones in from each side, the other had the wrong thread bolt stripped into it. Grabbed the torque wrench, one of the top trunnion cap bolts just spun, stripped, removed them, both wrong, the one way too short, got the correct bolts, one torqued to 71ft/lb, didn't dare on the other, at 50ft/lb it feels springy. The lower 3 nuts all felt springy at 50ft/lb. So we have what 10 holes with threads that need attention = new knuckle.
The bushing looks like something that would cause the noise? But the diff is also very low on fluid, so is it also making noise? At this point it was decided to do a "get it off of the trail" type repair, enough to drive, put a few miles on it and reevaluate on Monday. If the diff is good will get a new knuckle, etc, if the diff is making noise, likely swap the whole axle.
The "new" bushing.
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Also noted, they held the spindle in a vise to install the bushing, dorking up the hub seal surface. The wheel bearings were not repacked/serviced, old/nasty grease, did hammer a new hub seal, denting/bending/dorking it up.
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I'm surprised they didn't charge him for cleaning supplies! It's about the only thing they missed.
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You are not attempting to justify, insinuate that any of this is OK,,, right?
I could see and would do what you say for a trail repair, this wasn't sold or billed as a quick fix. IIRC, one of the bill items was; seal/gasket kit, $400, then other gaskets and seals were also billed? The only new ones that I saw; inner and outer hub seals, maybe the axle seal maybe, spindle and drive plate gaskets. All of the rest were left out. Using cruiseroutfitters.com pricing, that is ~$40. in parts.
For what he paid I would expect a new factory birf, axle, spindle, knuckle, fully cleaned and installed with repacked bearings and all new seals, wipers, etc, should look like new. Even then, the $2400 bill was likely excessive for one side?