Portland Toyota Dealer Recommendations - Service? Brake issue after repair. UPDATE

[Fitzo]

Do any of you local Portland-area owners have a favorite dealer they like for service? I use Broadway because i'm centrally located and its most convenient for me. That being said, I have not been overly impressed with their service department or at least my service advisor who didn't seem know much about LC's.

Anyway, back in August they did a brake fluid flush, turned front rotors and replaced the front pads. Less than 3500 miles later, I'm coming home from Timberline on Sunday and hear and feel some occasional grinding from the brakes. Upon inspection, the right front rotor is grinding and looks and feels rough. Pretty good grinding on the outside edge of the rotor. I didn't have time to dig into it last night but will be taking it back in tomorrow at 8am to have the Toyota shop who did the work take a look and see what is going on. With less than 3500 miles on new factory pads and turned rotors, did the dealer screw something up on install? Could a piece of gravel get hung up and grind down the rotor? I'm hoping the dealer will take care of me, but I have no idea what to expect.

 

[68W65D]

It's not a dealer, but I am a huge fan of Tom Dwyer Auto Services in the SE. They are the most honest repair shop I have ever come across.

 

[Fitzo]

68W65D - I appreciate your response. The more I learn about these rigs, I understand they are not hard to work on and its more important to use Toyota parts and its not necessary to use the dealer. In this instance, I called Broadway Toyota this morning and they said they need to take a look at it and if they can see they screwed something up, they will fix for free so I want to at least give them a shot to see if they will fix for free. The PO took the vehicle to Everett Street Auto works but I've not used them.

 

[dubyahard]

I've used Beaverton Toyota but only for oil changes. For my 80, they have accurately diagnosed a few things for me but I did the repair/maintenance work myself. There are a few knowledgeable service folks there. So maybe better than Broadway?
I've heard Willamette Boulevard Service Center is excellent but the wait to get in is months!

 

[68W65D]

I've had some bad experiences with Broadway Toyota. Most recently, I went in to get a replacement front fender skirt replaced for my wifes Matrix. After it was "fixed" I kept hearing a rattling in the wheel well and took it back. The service rep came out with pics and asked me if I installed the skirt myself because it was secured with zip ties and missing pieces. I was livid. It turns out they were missing a part when I had brought it in and instead of ordering it, the tech just strapped it down with zip ties hoping nobody would notice.

They were apologetic and promised to fix everything. After it was "fixed" for the second time, I noticed that they forgot to insert one of the tabs to secure it. Instead of taking it back again, I just went to the autopart store and did it myself.

 

[Fitzo]

Dropped my LC off at Broadway to have them take a look at the brake issue i'm having. The service guy just called and basically said they screwed something up on installation and it came loose and cause the grinding of my rotors and who knows what else. He said the shop manager looked at the situation and agreed they screwed it up. They are going to completely redo the brake job at no charge. Parts are a few days away (i'm sure at least one rotor is completely toast) so I'll have to go back and get a rental car.

I'll try to get more information on what exactly happened but I think that info will prove hard to get out of them. Ultimately, I'm happy they are stepping up and taking responsibility for the s***ty install. On the downside, the dealer screwed up a basic brake job and I have no faith in this shop and will not be taking my rig back in the future.

 

[dubyahard]

I'd make sure you pass that last bit of information on. You're not looking for a handout, just providing honest feedback.

 

[Hundyholic]

Cruisers NW or Willamette Blvd. Service Center. Have used both, typically try to get in with Josh at Willamette Blvd. first, but his book is pretty dang full these days, so Cruisers NW is a bit easier to get into if you are trying to get something done within a month or so.

Both are dedicated cruiser mechanics and see cruisers all the time, unlike a dealer that may seem them rarely particularly the 100 series at this point.

 

[SlowBuild]

I’m in Southern Oregon, Lithia is pretty terrible as well. I’ve considered driving five hours up to LCNW just for their expertise.

I’d double check bearing preload after a front brake job. I don’t trust anyone to get it right, even the dealers.

 

[Fitzo]

I’m in Southern Oregon, Lithia is pretty terrible as well. I’ve considered driving five hours up to LCNW just for their expertise.

I’d double check bearing preload after a front brake job. I don’t trust anyone to get it right, even the dealers.

Just an update. I finally picked up my LC today from the dealership after over a week of driving around in a hybrid Camry rental they provided. I initially posted about the brake job gone wrong. What I did not mention was at the same time the brakes were serviced, they also replaced both CV axles, and replaced both wheel bearings. This was back in August 2017 and about 3800 miles ago. So upon re-inspection at the dealer, here is what they found and admitted:

"during inspection found on pass front caliper hitting rotor and was causing grinding noise, also found both front wheel bearings have excessive plan and a damaged passenger side outer tire rod end. Rec tear down of front hubs to inspect wheel bearings and see what components need to be replaced. During repair of both front wheel bearings, found axle snap ring not properly installed, both locking nuts for bearing not tight and star washer not installed correctly, and damage to tongue washers. Bearing passed inspection. Replaced locking nuts, star washers, tongue washers and front rotors. Repacked bearing and installed components correctly and at proper torque specs. No longer has excessive play in both front wheel bearing and caliper no longer hitting rotors. Replaced passenger side outer tie rod end and performed alignment."

I'll admit, I was surprised they provided that level of detail of their screw up and am happy they fixed the issue at no charge. Also surprised at the level of incompetence of the service tech who looked like he screwed up just about everything he could along the way.

 

[jerryb]

amazing, isn't it. Overpriced, professional service industry people who are actually worse mechanics than my grandma. It's sickening. I hope you leave a scathing google review.








broadway toyota portland oregon bad service incompetent wheel bearing rotor install rubbing grinding bad review toyota of portland

 

[TXSunDevil]

This is why it pains me to pay someone to do the work. I can half ass it. I shouldn't pay someone $100 an hour to half ass it. Thanks to Mud for all the knowledge I have picked up. Glad they took care of you.

 

[Evan Kapel]

Some Toyota dealers are competent and honest. Toyota of Bend completed a full baseline service of my LC last April after I bought it in SoCal w/55 k miles. The service rep went over what it probably needed and what it may need depending on their inspection. I had already determined it needed CV boots, wheel bearings, timing belt, brake pads/rotor turning, etc. The dealer correctly diagnosed all these issues and did an excellent job servicing all issues. It was not cheap but they did what I paid for and it now drives like a new truck. I have taken it on several long trips since then and it has performed flawlessly.

 

[C6H12O6]

No experience with their service department, as I do all my service at home, but Minaj at the parts counter at Beaverton Toyota is great. The other guys? Not as much. Ask for Minaj and be willing to wait if he's not available. If you do a little research and have part numbers for some of what you need, even better, but he's usually willing to figure out what you need and he loves his Cruiser customers. He also offers a decent ~20% discount for TLCA members.