Refinished 20" Wheel Update

[fbachman]

OK, go pick up the truck yesterday after being out of town for a week, ask the service manager to go out there with me to look at the newly refinished wheels.

 

The front passenger side wheel is all scratched up. Clearly happened when they mounted it. Two others are scratched similarly

 

I guess I'll find out tomorrow what they are going to do now. SM was nice about it and apologetic. I was polite. Told him to do what he has to do and let me know how they want to proceed. He was pi$$ed though, I could tell.

 

geeez.

[66nova]

Man that really stinks!

 

Sorry about the luck. It's sad that people do not take more pride in their work anymore.

[SeirraRR]

That really suck. Sorry to hear that. Hope all works out for you

[C. Charles Hahn]

He was pi$$ed though, I could tell.

 

geeez.

 

Sounds like some tech just lost their job, or got a serious reprimand....

[bigredmariner]

Good luck Frank.

[fbachman]

Yeah.... I mean, what were they thinking? ... that I wouldn't take a LOOK at the wheels?????

 

In any case, to the service manager's credit, he was VERY apologetic, and, of course, me blowing my top would NOT have contributed positively to the situation, NOR would it have gotten it fixed then...

 

I felt his pain.

 

On the OTHER hand, they had my truck for a solid week while I was out of town. Why the heck did HE not look at them prior to me showing up? That way, he coulda called and said, hey, got a couple of scratches and need to get them worked out. Didn't want to give you your truck back this way, etc, etc. That would have looked a little more like they were on top of stuff.

 

As soon as I hear what they are going to do, I'll post back up.

[Walk9508]

"On the OTHER hand, they had my truck for a solid week while I was out of town. Why the heck did HE not look at them prior to me showing up? That way, he coulda called and said, hey, got a couple of scratches and need to get them worked out. Didn't want to give you your truck back this way, etc, etc. That would have looked a little more like they were on top of stuff."

 

 

More than likely it was just like Robert was saying, no-one cares about the work they do anymore. I've been through that with dealerships, mechanics and others when getting things worked on. They pretty much say "So what we scratched your hood, at least we fixed the other problem and you SHOULD be grateful."

Poeple just don't have any ethics these days, they basically want you to pay them and get the f out of their way.

[2005LT]

Sorry to hear about the scratched up wheels Frank. Someone obviously didn't care and was probably in a hurry. Hope the SM takes care of you, sounds like a decent guy.

 

What kind of "refinishing" did you have done? Was something wrong with the way they were before?

[fbachman]

Sorry to hear about the scratched up wheels Frank. Someone obviously didn't care and was probably in a hurry. Hope the SM takes care of you, sounds like a decent guy.

 

What kind of "refinishing" did you have done? Was something wrong with the way they were before?

 

I have a previous post with pictures...the wheels were pitting around the hub and the clearcoat was peeling off. Given the choice by the dealership, I chose to refinish them rather than get identical new wheels. I mean, what's the point of a new wheel --- 18 months from now I'll have the same issue. At least this way, it may get done correctly so the issue may not re-surface soon, if at all.

 

This is a local wheel shop that all my motorhead buddies said did excellent work. The re-clear-coating that was done did look like excellent work (minus the dealership scratches). From what I understand, they clean the wheel, blast all of the old clear coat off, then re-clear coat it. Actually looks better than new IMHO.

 

SM called me today. Said to bring it back --- need it for 2 days --- will have rental waiting. I opted to take it in next monday. Got a busy week after being out for a week.

 

And, yes, I consider my dealership tops. When they don't do it right, the MAKE it right. That's all I expect. I know shtuff happens. If it gets taken care of, that's good enough for me. Felt bad for the SM though. He DID seem rather torqued and embarrassed. I told him not to worry--- It's how it's handled that counts in my book-- and that I appreciated his "up front" we'll have to fix it for you attitude.

[2005LT]

I see, figured the wheels must have been pitting or something. Let us know how the scratch fix goes.

[jrrod2004]

Good to hear that you're being taken care of. Blows that he missed it but at this point its kinda water under the bridge...

[fbachman]

Sorry to hear about the scratched up wheels Frank. Someone obviously didn't care and was probably in a hurry. Hope the SM takes care of you, sounds like a decent guy.

 

What kind of "refinishing" did you have done? Was something wrong with the way they were before?

 

Found my post with the pics:

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...Aluminum+wheels

[2005LT]

Ah, that's why I couldn't remember the issue. I was away for July and August when you started that topic. Your 3rd picture really shows the problem well. Seems to be a fairly common issue. I too am a little surprised that they arn't shrugging this off as "normal" wear so it's good to hear they're at least trying to make it right with folks.

 

BTW, I tried your DSLogRedux yesterday Frank. Works like a charm! I was a little surprised that my LTFT had to be adjusted +4% since the average was -4.6 on bank 1 and -5.1 on bank 2. Most posts I read on the DS forum had people adjusting it in the negative direction. Maybe it's because I am running 89 octane while using the 87 performance tune?

[fbachman]

Ah, that's why I couldn't remember the issue. I was away for July and August when you started that topic. Your 3rd picture really shows the problem well. Seems to be a fairly common issue. I too am a little surprised that they arn't shrugging this off as "normal" wear so it's good to hear they're at least trying to make it right with folks.

 

Well, I pre-empted the discussion with the dealership by indicating that it is clearly a bond coat and adhesion issue. I have the luxury of working in an industry/company where a few of my buds are pretty prolific metallurgists and coatings specialists. I let them know that if the district office wanted to argue, that they would be trying to convince my buddies that THEY know more than my buds do. Seemed to do help. Also, my dealer has always been stellar on warranty and service in general. I kind of look at them as the template of what a dealer should be. Are there screw ups? Of course, but, they take care of it right away and don't argue with you, as long as you remain respectful and professional. I have gotten tool old to be a flaming

 

BTW, I tried your DSLogRedux yesterday Frank. Works like a charm! I was a little surprised that my LTFT had to be adjusted +4% since the average was -4.6 on bank 1 and -5.1 on bank 2. Most posts I read on the DS forum had people adjusting it in the negative direction. Maybe it's because I am running 89 octane while using the 87 performance tune?

 

Excellent, thanks for the feedback. BTW, should you be running a 64bit processor, let me know. I actually have x64 compiled apps of redux. Haven't rolled it out (yet). But I do have a true 64bit version if you are interested or have a need. Let me know...

 

As far as the LTFT out of the box is concerned: These things seem to have a mind/personality of their own. Of course, there are so many variables that can effect these things. I have seen GTOs (in particular) have stock LTFTs in the -10 to -11 range out of the box---consistently. I have seen trucks that are +6 out of the box. Mine, out of the box required a +4 when new (so it was at -4), if I remember. I dunno, as long as you adjust it where it needs to be, should make things a little more responsive.

 

Glad the program helped you out. I wrote it because I felt that should have been INCLUDED with the programmer ... LOL. Then, I figured, heck, tighten it up and let folks use it. And, about a dozen or so versions later, there you have it.

[KCXLT]

Man that really stinks!

 

Sorry about the luck. It's sad that people do not take more pride in their work anymore.

 

 

I know your pain. Picked up our new Equinox last Friday. When I pulled into the dealership it was parked about 30 yards away facing me. The first thing I noticed was the license plate bracket was on crooked.(I'm in Canada, we need those stupid things). I didn't say anything because I figured I would just straighten it when I got home. At home I find out its riveted to the front. Took it back and said to fix it without drilling anymore holes in the front of the truck, do what you have to to the plastic bracket. Salesman was ok, the mechanic (I'll use that term loosely) didn't look too happy and looked perplexed about fixing it without more holes. I decided to just get the rivets and do it myself. I got it pretty close by elongating the holes and filing off half the rivet head, but he was so far out on one hole it won't line up perfectly. Looked at another new NOX there and he screwed that one up also, same as mine. Instructions are printed right on the bracket.