Discussion
Wife took this car in for a service, and was told there was lots of play between the rear diff and the propshaft, and that it was spilling oil everywhere.
She was told it was dangerous to drive and could fail at any moment.
She then left the car with them for investigation. Service manager rang and said their expert had diagnosed catastrophic failure of the diff. We could either have them investigate or replace with a new item costing £3K.
Wife told them to investigate first.
A day later the service manager came back to say that investigation would cost £100 an hour and 'how long was a piece of string' and that he recommended replacement rather than investigation as if we investigated the likelyhood would be that the price of investigation would be added to the cost of the new item anyway. We agreed.
Wife rings back a week later to find out whether the car is back to square one, and is told that they are having difficulty fitting as they have never done one before!
When we finally got the car back we complained to Nissan about the failure and the final bill and they agreed it was early for a failure (£50K miles car) and knocked 10% off the bill.
At the time we collected the car I asked for the old diff, brough it home and opened it up, only to find there was no catastrophic failure, all the bearings have zero play in them. The input shaft wobble is because the inital input seal had worn and replacement of this and its surrounding cage would have sorted it. This diagnosis took me approx half an hour and the part would cost £15.
Wife has gone back to the garage who have simply shrugged their shoulders.
Anyone know whether to suck it up, or get upset with someone?
She was told it was dangerous to drive and could fail at any moment.
She then left the car with them for investigation. Service manager rang and said their expert had diagnosed catastrophic failure of the diff. We could either have them investigate or replace with a new item costing £3K.
Wife told them to investigate first.
A day later the service manager came back to say that investigation would cost £100 an hour and 'how long was a piece of string' and that he recommended replacement rather than investigation as if we investigated the likelyhood would be that the price of investigation would be added to the cost of the new item anyway. We agreed.
Wife rings back a week later to find out whether the car is back to square one, and is told that they are having difficulty fitting as they have never done one before!
When we finally got the car back we complained to Nissan about the failure and the final bill and they agreed it was early for a failure (£50K miles car) and knocked 10% off the bill.
At the time we collected the car I asked for the old diff, brough it home and opened it up, only to find there was no catastrophic failure, all the bearings have zero play in them. The input shaft wobble is because the inital input seal had worn and replacement of this and its surrounding cage would have sorted it. This diagnosis took me approx half an hour and the part would cost £15.
Wife has gone back to the garage who have simply shrugged their shoulders.
Anyone know whether to suck it up, or get upset with someone?
My brother-in-law recently had a problem with his 51 plate Clio, which wouldn't start. I would have looked at it for him but he doesn't live near me, but a quick Google revealed well-known issues with corrosion in the wiring loom in a few places which would give the symptoms he saw. Remove connector, clean up, grease, replace.
Being of an entirely non-mechanical (or electrical) bent, he wheeled it into the local Renault dealer, who promptly replaced a section of loom at a cost of something like £1500. And how much is a 51-plate 1.6 Clio worth in the first place??
It merely bears out my long-held belief that modern dealerships don't in general employ anyone who actually knows how to fix a car. All they do is identify which particular large lump of car needs replacing, and do so. They've no idea how to diagnose or how to carry out a repair to a part, which in a vast number of cases would indeed cost peanuts and not £1500/£3000.
If you believe you can get an independent report to validate the situation, then yes, I'd take it back to them and ask them whether they would like to settle before you take it to court.
Being of an entirely non-mechanical (or electrical) bent, he wheeled it into the local Renault dealer, who promptly replaced a section of loom at a cost of something like £1500. And how much is a 51-plate 1.6 Clio worth in the first place??
It merely bears out my long-held belief that modern dealerships don't in general employ anyone who actually knows how to fix a car. All they do is identify which particular large lump of car needs replacing, and do so. They've no idea how to diagnose or how to carry out a repair to a part, which in a vast number of cases would indeed cost peanuts and not £1500/£3000.
If you believe you can get an independent report to validate the situation, then yes, I'd take it back to them and ask them whether they would like to settle before you take it to court.
Who would constitue an independant opinion in the south east for Nissan, without obviously going to a Nissan dealer?
I assume the local garage wouldn't form an opinion that small claims court would take seriously.
We also have the problem of the fact my wife was given a choice, even though it was a hobson one.
I assume the local garage wouldn't form an opinion that small claims court would take seriously.
We also have the problem of the fact my wife was given a choice, even though it was a hobson one.
julian64 said:
Who would constitue an independant opinion in the south east for Nissan, without obviously going to a Nissan dealer?
I assume the local garage wouldn't form an opinion that small claims court would take seriously.
We also have the problem of the fact my wife was given a choice, even though it was a hobson one.
You do need to find an independent engineer and pay him. I had an issue with a crash repair once (mechanical issue) and although I validated my belief with my local garage, he was understandable reluctant to get embroiled in a dispute by putting anything in writing. Engineers however are there to do just that.I assume the local garage wouldn't form an opinion that small claims court would take seriously.
We also have the problem of the fact my wife was given a choice, even though it was a hobson one.
Where in Kent?
CAPP0 said:
julian64 said:
Who would constitue an independant opinion in the south east for Nissan, without obviously going to a Nissan dealer?
I assume the local garage wouldn't form an opinion that small claims court would take seriously.
We also have the problem of the fact my wife was given a choice, even though it was a hobson one.
You do need to find an independent engineer and pay him. I had an issue with a crash repair once (mechanical issue) and although I validated my belief with my local garage, he was understandable reluctant to get embroiled in a dispute by putting anything in writing. Engineers however are there to do just that.I assume the local garage wouldn't form an opinion that small claims court would take seriously.
We also have the problem of the fact my wife was given a choice, even though it was a hobson one.
Where in Kent?
Fartgalen said:
But haven't you agreed for them not to investigate and go straight ahead and replce the diff ?
That what I was thinking;they told you a new diff would be £3k
you authorised them to go ahead and replace it
the repair work solved the problem
now you have a bill for £3k.
Yes, it could've been repaired cheaper, but you authorised the work.
Or why didnt you ask for the diff while they had it off the car so you could open it up there and then and decide?
Why isnt this what happens...
Garage phones up to say diff faulty. Theyve checked with the manufacturere wheve agreed that as it should have lasted the life of the car and this is such a rare occurence theyre going to replace it.
Box of chocs for inconvenience
Why isnt this what happens...
Garage phones up to say diff faulty. Theyve checked with the manufacturere wheve agreed that as it should have lasted the life of the car and this is such a rare occurence theyre going to replace it.
Box of chocs for inconvenience
julian64 said:
there was lots of play between the rear diff and the propshaft, and that it was spilling oil everywhere.
julian64 said:
opened it up, only to find there was no catastrophic failure, all the bearings have zero play in them. The input shaft wobble is because the inital input seal had worn and replacement of this and its surrounding cage would have sorted it. This diagnosis took me approx half an hour and the part would cost £15.
Surely if there is play in the pinion then something apart from the seal is at fault- unless you are saying the 'play' was normal and the leak was the only problem? The pinion will be located axially by bearings and bushings and longitudinally by shims/washers and a center nut.Ask sir, and ye shall receive...
Nissan Motor GB Customer Complaints
Contact Details
Phone: 01923 899334
Fax: 01923 899918
Email: Customer Support
Postal Address
Customer Services Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd
The Rivers Office Park
Denham Way
Maple Cross
Rickmansworth
Hertfordshire
WD3 9YS
It also explains the procedure they'll follow, see link below.
http://www.nissan.co.uk/GB/en/terms-and-conditions...
Nissan Motor GB Customer Complaints
Contact Details
Phone: 01923 899334
Fax: 01923 899918
Email: Customer Support
Postal Address
Customer Services Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd
The Rivers Office Park
Denham Way
Maple Cross
Rickmansworth
Hertfordshire
WD3 9YS
It also explains the procedure they'll follow, see link below.
http://www.nissan.co.uk/GB/en/terms-and-conditions...
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