Mechanics Notes? Need Your Advice

lisak421 · September 25, 2004

I tried to scan this and copy it to here, but it didn't work so I will tell you what's on it:

DIAG FRONT SUSP

This is what advisor wrote up:

C/S FRONT END IS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONTEND OVER BUMPS

This is what mechanic wrote in:

PARTIALLY R & R ENG & TRANS ASSEMBLIES & MOUNTS TO REPOSITION. OFFSET CAUSING NOISY

Then it goes into the next complaint

WHINE NOISE FT END

C/S FRONMT AXLE IS WHINING ANC SCREECHING, MUST BE DRIVIN 25 MPH + AND TURN EITHER WAY - SCREECHING COMING FROM RT FRT

Mechanic wrote:

REPLACE RT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WORN OUT & NOIS

Last complaint listed:

NOISE OVER BUMPS

C/S WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL STEERING IS NOTCHY-NOT SMOOTH

Mechanic wrote:

LUB STEERING COLOM UPPER BEARING DRY & NOISEY

I know Lub means lube, which is funny because the GM guy said they replaced the secondary steering shaft, but this says they lubed it.???

When comparing this to the work order they gave me when I picked up the truck that day, the only thing they gave me was the paper their mechanic submits to the secretary as the diagnosis to put in for the complaint, and then the secretary spells everything correctly when she enters it into the computer. There is no mechanics notes, parts list, or anything else listed other than their name and employee number.

So what are they hiding? Why don't they want me to see the information their mechanics wrote as they worked on my truck? Somebody is hiding something.

What is your opinion..................is the above the only paperwork the mechanic would give after fixing the vehicle? Is there more to this?

Advice please

budhayes3 · September 25, 2004

The mechanic gives the hard copy to the service writer, and the service dept keeps that for their records. The service writer closes the repair order and a couple of invoices are printed out, one for their records, one for the factory, and one for the customer. Often, the service writer inputs his own info into the computer because he either can't read the mech's hand writing or just choses to input what he thinks is best. Some dealerships are totally automated and the mech never even uses a pen...there are computer terminals on the work benches. Sometimes when warranty work is being done, you will not always see parts billed out, but customer pay should always show parts. If they put in a claim for part replacement, you know there must be a part charged out somewhere. Also, if a service writer is running behind, or a parts dept hasn't charged the part out yet, the writer will close the ticket so he has something to give the customer, as is necessary by law. He will later go in and re-open the ticket to get the parts charged out and get the paperwork in order. I doubt that they're trying to hide anything, don't see any reason for it in this case. Probably just a matter of getting paperwork done in time for you. If you have any concerns, by all means call the dealership service dept and ask questions. Mention to them that you really want to give them 100% on the survey that you will receive, and they will be very co-operative.

budhayes3 · September 25, 2004

Wait a second, just realised that you're the Lisak421 with all of the vibration problems...

Hmm, there is a possibility that they're trying to avoid a survey and are "eating" the repair...that's why there are no parts charged out. These surveys are a big deal...I know, I have worked at various dealerships since I was in high school (I'm 34 now). At this point, I would be happy if the vehicle is fixed. I feel so bad for what you've had to go through with this truck. I would definitely call them and get all of your questions answered...they owe you that at the very least.

facn8me · September 25, 2004

They are definatly hiding something. Did you get a reciept everytime they have looked at your truck? I see no mention of using thier vibration meter and telling you it's the tires. I see no mention when after you got new tires they said it was still the tires. Nothing about swapping wheels and still having a vibration. I hate to say it again but they are screwing you over AGAIN. Is that stuff documented on anything you have recieved? I agree with you lisak their should be a book written about your truck. Unfortunatly you are going to have to do ALL of thier leg work. With the piddly little work orders they produced I am afraid it may take dropping you truck off with them having the knowledge that the only person they need to contact is your lawyer if they cannot fix it and hand them you lawyers card.

p.s.I think a conniption is in order.

lisak421 · September 26, 2004

Hey Bud and Facn8me,

Guess that means I'm making a name here if you recognize me. I did get a survey, I never filled it out. Maybe I should.

It's the first dealership that won't give me anything. The second dealership told me to get everything from them because don't believe the "drivetrain shift" and their lousey front end alignment. The second dealership has given me paperwork from the tech GM sent out and everything is listed, vibration and all. Their EVA machine reads much lower since the work they've done, but like I told them their EVA machine hasn't told them anything right yet, it was the tech that found it all, EVA kept saying tires. That's why I'm still not happy, I still have a vibration, and I still drift to the right, but their EVA say's it's all good .

So Bud any suggestions on filling that survey out?

citydriver · September 26, 2004

I tried to scan this and copy it to here, but it didn't work so I will tell you what's on it:

DIAG FRONT SUSP

This is what advisor wrote up:

C/S FRONT END IS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONTEND OVER BUMPS

This is what mechanic wrote in:

PARTIALLY R & R ENG & TRANS ASSEMBLIES & MOUNTS TO REPOSITION. OFFSET CAUSING NOISY

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What I'd like to know is, how he figured this was causing the CLUNK...Were the mounts loose? Witness marks from shifting bolts? Is this a common problem? TSB?

I know you're not sure Lisa, I'm just typing out loud

Is the clunk still there? Could the front shocks be bad, causing the road vibrations to be transmitted to the body or steering wheel? Could the lower control arm bump-stop be hitting the frame because the torsion bar is not adjusted correctly...which may also cause the drift to the right because the alignment would be off a little bit BUT still be WITHIN specs....typing out loud again.....But any competant alignment tech would be able to catch that and make the necessary adjustments to correct it....Yea its alot to ask at this point

Without seeing the part for myself, they may have replaced the secondary shaft and lubed the upper bearing while the were in there...not sure

Those notes are typical from a mechanic.... SHORT ....thats pretty much how I used to write them when I was in the trade....But I'm more cofused about the diagnosis of the front end Clunk/vibration....all this coming from a desk chair and a keyboard...it s impossible to diagnose it without driving it....all I can do is throw out ideas of what I would check if I was workin on it

Maybe they need to stop blaming it on your imagination and start from the beginning by re-checking thier work on the original complaint..... $.02

budhayes3 · September 26, 2004

So Bud any suggestions on filling that survey out?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess just be honest. The survey asks "Was your vehicle fixed right the first time?". Well, your truck still isn't fixed. The survey isn't gonna help get your truck fixed, but at least the dealer will get a little of what they deserve. Also, be sure to use the comment section...attach a note if you have to. If it's a survey from the factory, it will have an adverse affect on the dealer's CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) scores. If it's from the dealer, don't even waste your time...they'll just read it and throw it out. As an ex-technician and a long time dealer employee, it really irks me that this hasn't been remedied. I understand that sometimes there are problem vehicles that take time to fix and may need factory rep or FTS (Field Technical Specialist) involvement, but by no means should these vehicles be delivered to the customer until they are fixed. The regional corporate office shouldn't stand for that, it's completely unacceptable.

The more I think about it, I feel you should call and try to get a more detailed description of what was done to your truck. It's a miracle that you haven't gone postal by now.