The $200 bolt. Followed by the $200 tantrum.

[Riley]

Learning lots...

Sorry Doc but this has been an interesting thread, learning alot. Interesting how these bolts are getting screwed up.

I started wondering how dense a guy would have to be to get the cap bolts mixed up with the caliper bolts. Seems like it would be obvious because a guy would end up putting in 4 bolts in the cap that looked different. I wonder how close in appearance they are? I try to put the parts in different piles or parts cups but you never know.

Sorry again Doc, it's good that you are posting this so others can learn from this. Now I'm really paranoid about having work done elsewhere.

 

[landtank]

Hey Doc got a pic to post of that possition?

 

[GXO]

Sorry Doc but this has been an interesting thread, learning alot. Interesting how these bolts are getting screwed up.

I started wondering how dense a guy would have to be to get the cap bolts mixed up with the caliper bolts. Seems like it would be obvious because a guy would end up putting in 4 bolts in the cap that looked different. I wonder how close in appearance they are? I try to put the parts in different piles or parts cups but you never know.
QUOTE]

The top of the knuckle cap has the golden hue to the bolts and has a courser thread.

The caliper bolts (on mine) are more a galvinized or aluminum color with a finer thread.

Covered in grease, they look almost identical...clean there is no excuse.

I suspect the victims (including me) of this sort of damage had a mechanic working on these in the past at some point without washing down parts before reassembly.

 

[Doc]

Hey Doc got a pic to post of that possition?

You know, I nearly went to get the camera first. But before I got home the wifey saw it and enlisted the help of a neighbor to try to jack up the front end. When I arrived they were both crawling around on the wet ground trying to find a place to put a jack.

I didn't think that would be a good time to ask them to wait on me. It was kind of funny looking though!

The rear drivers side tire was puckered out pretty good, even with 10 plys!

Oh, and for clarification, the cap bolts are all in the right spot. The caliper mounting bolts are two different lengths, and neither one is the right bolt according to C-dan. At least they are the right thread. The ham-head at the brake shop probobly dropped them in the pit and just grabbed the first two that fit.

Actually, the long top bolt stuck so far through the knuckle that it was within 1/8 of an inch of the brake disc, even with those three washers on it.

 

[Riley]

when possible I always like to take the time to wash down parts... now I know why.

I was having this pit in stomach wondering if I too screwed this up but I doubt it...

 

[scottm]

"You're getting an opportunity to see the things that a poorly done job can do, and why I for one will never pay anyone to do something I can do myself. So keep going on the DIY route!!"

Here's the hub I just took off. The edge of the sealing surface has been beaten 'till it bulged and left burrs sticking out in places. I'm amazed the seal wasn't torn up where it rides on this surface. I've cleaned the outer surface up with a stone, hopefully the inner seal isn't too distorted to get the other seal seated there. I can't think of a reason to be hitting this with a steel hammer just to seat the seal, and especially that hard.

 

[Doc]

^ When you're only getting $6 an hour at some some discount auto repair place it's easy to do shortcuts that are, in reality, just stupid.

$6 an hour doesn't pay for a lot of thought.

 

[landtank]

^ When you're only getting $6 an hour at some some discount auto repair place it's easy to do shortcuts that are, in reality, just stupid.

$6 an hour doesn't pay for a lot of thought.

Minimum Wage- Minimum Work

 

[Doc]

So I took the cruiser into my mechanic to get a helicoil. Having the mechanic do it was cheaper than paying the $100 for the full helicoil kit I'd need to do the one hole.


Anyway- I go to pick it up just before lunch.

They didn't put a helicoil in it.

They drilled out the knuckle and caliper and used a 1/2" fine thread bolt.

Again- I'm a bit angry at them.

1. If I wanted a drill and tap job I could have done that myself

2. Now that they've drilled through my caliper I can never go back to the right hardwear. EVER. unless I replace both the knuckle and caliper.

3. They told me they were going to helicoil it. That's what I approved. Then I get something totally different.

Not happy.

 

[landtank]

At some level I guess that could be considered a good repair. But since they didn't do what you asked I hope you didn't pay for it. If you did and payed with a check I'd call them to let them know your cancelling it and if payed by CC contest it with the card holding company. At minimum give them some grief in the wallet for that horse**** of a repair.

 

[Doc]

They'll feel it in their pocket book. This is the second time they've pulled sh*t on me. I keep going back because the mecahics are usaully good guys and are honest.

I was going to have them rebuild the motor in my Honda. I'll take it someplace else now.

Frankly I doubt I'll ever go back there.

I'm not good with face to face chewing people out, but I told the manager that the job done was not what I wanted done, and was not happy with their choice.

I did pay for it, and the price was lower than I would have guessed, but I'm still not thrilled.

 

[landtank]

Well Doc it is safe to drive and you know it's theren so no surprises down the road. Hopefully that discount will pay for the 1 sae socket you now need.

 

[IdahoDoug]

On the other hand (snicker), no future mechanic will EVER be able to confuse the two now - right?

Seeing Scott's photo and reading Doc's experiences makes me feel good yet again about doing it myself, and hearing that you guys are too. Bravo!!

DougM

 

[lovetoski]

Hang in there Doc!

Doc,

I have an 80 and a 60 also. I'm not a trained mech, just a DIY guy who is short of cash often (kids suck it all up!). I've fawked up a couple of repairs, two that caused me real stress...(both vehicles are DD's with kids schedules that are demanding). I do a lot of repair on the weekend, in my driveway, no matter the weather.

But, I've also nailed most of the repairs. Maybe they take me a little longer, but they work, and I know for damn sure that they are done right ('cause I've checked them 18 times!)

From the posts you've written, you've got your s*** together. Keep on moving forward, and most of your repairs will work out great.

Oh - and I can truely say that I wouldn't do 90% of the stuff I've done w/out the support and guidance of folks on this board. I have no idea how I can balence out the ledger. My wife would bake cookies for everybody, but we don't know where to send them.

Best Regards,

 

[GXO]

Doc,

Oh - and I can truely say that I wouldn't do 90% of the stuff I've done w/out the support and guidance of folks on this board. I have no idea how I can balence out the ledger. My wife would bake cookies for everybody, but we don't know where to send them.

Best Regards,

PMed you shipping info for cookies (j/k)

You need to get my brother wheeling his 60 (he is in Seattle too).

 

[Doc]

I defienatly agree that my cruisers would not be much better condition than when I bought them if it weren't for this board.

I DEFINATLEY would've paid the stealership to do the knuckle re-build too.

I was having a discussion with the wifey last night (while installing the new power antenna in the 80) about how impatient I am. I see something wrong, or broken, and have to get it fixed right away. Where I live cars are beat to hell and back. People drive around missing windshields, seats, you name it.

I guess maybe I'm obsessive about my vehicles, but I can't STAND to know about a problem and not do anything towards fixing it.

Hell, I spent $80 or so fixing the horns on my FJ60!

When I grounded my wifey's 80 from driving because of bald tires, the weather wasn't even bad!

 

[Newps]

Look at it this way; it is better to be obsessive about getting things fixed then to be lazy and a procrastinator. Your family will appreciate never being stuck on the side of the road because your ride has broken down and left you stranded.

 

[Beowulf]

>> My wife would bake cookies for everybody, but we don't know where to send them. <<

Did someone say Cookies?

Send to: Beowulf@PayPal.com



-B-