Dealer Issues / Rusted Brake Lines

[MikeInCtown]

Man up and just pay you bill. This was not hidden damage in any way. You had 5 months to find it and you ignored the rusty lines. You bought a used truck far out of warranty so you inspected the truck before signing the papers and you accepted the deal. Sure it is a dealer certified used truck. The dealer certified it as "used" and now its certified as "yours".

 

 

Actually, if you read what he had written, the dealership should have inspected the lines as they have a checklist that includes "brake lines" They ignored that part of the checklist as he didn't have any box checked. Also, during his last oil change, the box was checked saying his fuel lines were ok, but when he took the truck in because of the brake lines, they tell him his fuel lines are also bad. Sorry, but stuff doesn't rust completely through like that in the middle of the summer unless it was bad before, through the last winter.

 

The dealership seems dishonest at this point because they ignored their own forms, and then tries to sell the guy something that just a month or so back said he didn't need.

[T1ME_Killa]

ok the shop still had my lines they grabbed them for me but due to the storm we had they were not able to get their voice mails until today. will be posting several pictures

[T1ME_Killa]

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[T1ME_Killa]

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[T1ME_Killa]

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[T1ME_Killa]

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[T1ME_Killa]

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[wages999]

You Lost ALL of your Service Brakes? something tells me MORE than one Line decided to pop. I once blew a Wheel Cylinder in the Plymouth, and ONLY by the system's design, I still had 50% braking power.

 

If you look at the master cylinder on a Silverado, there is only one reservoir that feeds two lines. If one line blows, all your brakes are gone. A line going to my rear blew last fall and I lost all my brakes. Luckily, I had my car hauler on behind and used the electric brakes on it to stop my truck. I replaced my lines with all stainless steel and replaced all the flex lines with a braided line set. It cost me about $700 to have them replaced. I bought all of my parts and then took it to the local repair shop and had them put on. The owner was the head mechanic at the local Chevy dealer before he started his own shop.

 

I honestly can't believe that they sold you a 2004 as a certified vehicle, but since they did, I think you have every right to be mad about this.

[wavery]

I'm glad that you were able to get them. Those look pretty nasty to me.

 

I would 1st walk into the dealership (with those in hand) and ask to speak to the General Manager/Owner of the dealership.

 

I would give him a copy of my purchase records of the vehicle and a copy of the bill for replacing those lines. I would tell him that I was quoted $X,XXX.00 to replace the lines at their dealership (I sure hope that you got that in writing). I would then tell him that I would like to be reimbursed for the repair bill because in my (your) opinion, to sell a vehicle with a brake system that is obviously in unsafe condition is clearly negligent.

 

I would take the position that the dealership was especially negligent in light of the fact that the dealership is (should be) fully aware that there is an on going investigation for rusty brake lines on these vehicles. I would be very careful about shifting blame to GM though. My case would be that the dealership was negligent in repairing and/or divulging an obvious safety hazard.

 

If he was smart, he'd wet all over himself when he saw those and be happy to trade you a check for the full amount of the repair in trade for those brake lines.

 

I would NOT leave the brake lines with him. I would tell him that he has 72-hours to respond then I will file a lawsuit in Small Claims Court if they refuse 100% compensation.

 

But then.......... that's just me.

 

I'd be FRICKEN PI$$ED!!!!!!

[tesnoboy]

Sorry to tell you, but those don't look that bad. My lines were much worse than that when I had to have them replaced. I live in Mass. also and have had to replace the brake lines on EVERY GM vehicle I have owned here. They should be made of better material especially considering how anal they are on all the other new safety crap they force on us! The problem is how they and the fuel lines are run a long the frame rails. It traps moisture in certain areas especially where the clamps are. My cousin is a mechanic and replacing brakelines is job security in this state! ;-)

[wavery]

Sorry to tell you, but those don't look that bad. My lines were much worse than that when I had to have them replaced. I live in Mass. also and have had to replace the brake lines on EVERY GM vehicle I have owned here. They should be made of better material especially considering how anal they are on all the other new safety crap they force on us! The problem is how they and the fuel lines are run a long the frame rails. It traps moisture in certain areas especially where the clamps are. My cousin is a mechanic and replacing brakelines is job security in this state! ;-)

If that's the case..... that makes this all the more egregious.................These people are supposed to be professionals......... If this vehicle was supposedly inspected and an inspection in rust belt States (which I'm not familiar with) dictates that the brake lines should be inspected because they are a common source of failure............. I mean........ that's worse than sending the guy out with 10% brake lining.

 

I have seen lots of rusted cars come through our shop from Colorado (especially) and I was never aware of rusty brake lines like that. Had I been made aware of a vehicle with brake lines in that condition, there is NO WAY that I would let that car be sold without correcting that. The implications are HUGE on the tech, the Service Manager and the Dealer. If that vehicle were in an injury accident that was caused by a brake line failure and those lines were brought into to court......... That is called "Criminal Negligence" if the tech or anyone else in the dealership had knowledge of that condition.

 

If the vehicle had that failure a year down the road, it might be a slightly different story but we are talking 5 months, most of which were summer months.

[tesnoboy]

Sorry to tell you, but those don't look that bad. My lines were much worse than that when I had to have them replaced. I live in Mass. also and have had to replace the brake lines on EVERY GM vehicle I have owned here. They should be made of better material especially considering how anal they are on all the other new safety crap they force on us! The problem is how they and the fuel lines are run a long the frame rails. It traps moisture in certain areas especially where the clamps are. My cousin is a mechanic and replacing brakelines is job security in this state! ;-)

If that's the case..... that makes this all the more egregious.................These people are supposed to be professionals......... If this vehicle was supposedly inspected and an inspection in rust belt States (which I'm not familiar with) dictates that the brake lines should be inspected because they are a common source of failure............. I mean........ that's worse than sending the guy out with 10% brake lining.

 

I have seen lots of rusted cars come through our shop from Colorado (especially) and I was never aware of rusty brake lines like that. Had I been made aware of a vehicle with brake lines in that condition, there is NO WAY that I would let that car be sold without correcting that. The implications are HUGE on the tech, the Service Manager and the Dealer. If that vehicle were in an injury accident that was caused by a brake line failure and those lines were brought into to court......... That is called "Criminal Negligence" if the tech or anyone else in the dealership had knowledge of that condition.

 

If the vehicle had that failure a year down the road, it might be a slightly different story but we are talking 5 months, most of which were summer months.

 

 

The dealer should have done the right thing, but really they are not that bad for an 04 around here. You probably couldn't see the really bad spots until they were removed. I have found that to be the case when talking to my cousin about this problem around here. The bottom line is GM and the other manufacturers should be using a different material for brake and fuel lines especially in snow/salt states. The Government mandates a whole bunch of crap on cars, but misses the basics on brake and fuel lines!

[jblakeney]

The end on #5 picture on the left looks really bad. Was that where it busted?. . I'm with wavery, take the inspection sheet, repair bill, quote, and your invoice for buying the truck and go see the dealer manager or owner. I bet he don't let you leave without him/her buying the lines from you.

 

Jbo

[wavery]

S/S steel lines may not be the best material either you know. S/S work hardens and cracks easier than mild steel. S/S does not like vibration and I can see the flares cracking (over time).

 

There has to be a steel alloy that works better than what they are currently using. I'm just not sure what is worse, rust or work hardening......

 

BTW Stainless steel is just that "Stain less". Different alloys of S/S are better at some things and worse at others. The one thing that S/S is particularly bad at is playing well with other metals.

[T1ME_Killa]

just an update. i am going to be mailing a letter to the dealer, ill post a copy with all of the names and dealer info taken out once its finished. im going to send it certified mail with an acceptance receipt and signature required. the letter is going to inform the dealer the letter was sent certified and they will have 1 week from the date of acceptance to have a meeting with me before legal action is started. thaughts before i send this off?...looking at wavery...poke...

 

and i do plan on updating this fourm as events occour i want to document this whole process for anyone else on this site that may have these issues in the future. maybe in the end ill release the dealer... depends on the outcome.