ComplaintsforRudy Schmid Inc., Total Car Care

• Initial Complaint

  04/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have a 2008 ***** ******** I had ***** automotive put upper and lower ball joints on it and two front wheel bearings on it he brought it to Rudy shmid to do a alignment this was November and I had it inspected by ***** automotive now my two front tires are completely bald because the alignment was not done correctly my steering wheel was not straight i brought it back to Rudy shmid to have them look at it and fix it now they say I need 2 upper ball joints and a wheel bearing not true at all there brand new they don’t want to take responsibility for their mistake my tires are $600 each and I need new ones now please help me out with this thanks sincerely ***** ********

  

  Business response

  04/05/2024

  On November 10, 2023, we performed an alignment on a 2008 ********* ********. This vehicle has had the suspension lifted. We aligned it, and it was in specification when the vehicle left here (see attached). The customer called us and set up an appointment for us to look at his ******** because of the tire wear. When we inspected the vehicle, we found that the right front wheel bearing has excessive movement, the right upper ball joint has movement that can a vehicle to go out of alignment, the left upper ball joint has slight movement, but the rear upper control arm bushing has enough play in it to make the vehicle go out of alignment. I helped the technician inspect the vehicle, because I like to know when there is an issue and be able to take corrective actions. The technician who inspected the vehicle has over 30 years experience in suspension and alignments (just with our company). I have close to 40 years of experience in suspensions and alignments. If this had been an issue with our alignment, I would have taken care of the customer. IN this case, we did a proper wheel alignment. Due to the wear and movement in the bearing and suspension parts, we are not going to pay for his tires.

   

  

  Business response

  05/14/2024

  We performed an alignment on the vehicle last year. It was within specifications when it left our shop. When we re-inspected the vehicle, we found that there was movement in the right upper ball joint, right front wheel bearing had excessive play, and the left upper control arm rear bushing had movement in it. When we contacted the customer to explain what we found, our service manager offered to put the vehicle on the alignment rack again to show him the worn parts. He flat out refused. I, being the owner, wanted to make sure that we had done our due diligence. The technician that inspected the vehicle and I have over 75 years combined experience on front suspensions and alignments. When you alter a vehicle's suspension, especially a lift kit, it puts additional strain on the suspension and steering parts. The larger, heavier rims and tires also add to the premature wear of parts. Most manufacturers void all warranties when any suspension modifications are made. I stand behind our alignments. If there was an issue right after the alignment was performed, why weren't we notified then? 

  Customer response

  05/15/2024

  Better Business Bureau: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. Regards, ***** ******** To follow up on business response- they have stated that they offered to put the truck back up, this is false, I have since took my truck to an independent mechanic, who also specializes and has numerous years in the field who stated that the specs were completely tilted in by an inch to inch and a half, I delayed in reporting as I tried to handle the matter with the business directly and got no where. The worn out parts they are claiming where purchased and bought when the alignment was done…. The whole reason I had the alignment done was due to the parts needed to be replaced, which then would require an alignment. I had placed many calls to resolve this issue directly, now I have four complete work out tires, not due to worn out parts, they were new at alignment and my truck sits for safety concerns. I am sure with such an array of experience as stated above, the shop’s training would have shown what the specs should be, as not factory set but set to rough country specifications, as I assumed this being a specialty shop I trusted and paid dearly for bad mechanical work.

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