"New" car breaks down 16 miles into journey home.
Discussion
So, this afternoon, i knocked off work early in stoke, And went to a Vauxhall dealer where i dropped off our trade in and picked up my wifes new car.
A 36k mile 8 year old astra.
The plan was a 2 hour drive to pick her up from her sister's static on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Have tea, and then drive an hour home.
After 10 miles i felt the car was not as responsive as i remember.
Just before reaching the M56, neae manchester airport, i stopped at traffic lights and noticed smoke coming from the front drivers side wheel.
And the smell of overheated brake pad.
So pulled in to costa and phoned the dealer.
The service manager told me the brake pads had been replaced as part of the pre-delivery service, so i guess that the cause is related to that.
They sent out a junior member of the sales team to hand over a curtesy car, and drive the astra the 16 miles back to the dealership.
Given that i wouldnt then get to the caravan until after 8, my wife decided she would come back with her brother in law and nephew tomorrow.
Anyway, cant fault the response so far from dealer. s
t happens right? It shouldn't but how you sort it out is important right?
Wife is really pissed off, but I am intrigued to see whether they replace pads discs and brake fluid and maybe calipers or just bodge it, by freeing it up
.
My suggestion will be everything has been over heated, the saleman probably shouldnt have driven it, and will have made it worse and therefore they need to resolve it with safety in mind and err on the side of caution.
So advice from the vauhall mechanics on the forum ?
A 36k mile 8 year old astra.
The plan was a 2 hour drive to pick her up from her sister's static on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Have tea, and then drive an hour home.
After 10 miles i felt the car was not as responsive as i remember.
Just before reaching the M56, neae manchester airport, i stopped at traffic lights and noticed smoke coming from the front drivers side wheel.
And the smell of overheated brake pad.
So pulled in to costa and phoned the dealer.
The service manager told me the brake pads had been replaced as part of the pre-delivery service, so i guess that the cause is related to that.
They sent out a junior member of the sales team to hand over a curtesy car, and drive the astra the 16 miles back to the dealership.
Given that i wouldnt then get to the caravan until after 8, my wife decided she would come back with her brother in law and nephew tomorrow.
Anyway, cant fault the response so far from dealer. s
t happens right? It shouldn't but how you sort it out is important right? Wife is really pissed off, but I am intrigued to see whether they replace pads discs and brake fluid and maybe calipers or just bodge it, by freeing it up
.
My suggestion will be everything has been over heated, the saleman probably shouldnt have driven it, and will have made it worse and therefore they need to resolve it with safety in mind and err on the side of caution.
So advice from the vauhall mechanics on the forum ?
Well you’re basically looking at a brake caliper that isn’t retracting, most likely.
This happens for a variety of reasons. Good ones include “mechanics” installing new pads into calipers that look like they have been recovered from rms titanic. Often the slide pins receive no attention and are seized, causing issues. Other times there is slide hardware that should be replaced but doesn’t get replaced and jams up impressively with similar results. Sometimes the caliper hasn’t been retracting for four years and isn’t about to anytime soon, so the addition of a chosty new pad (complete with requisite hammering to install) creates said bonfire within short order. I think they say “they’ll bed in”. Or something.
Overall, another brakes related cluster **** in a couple of days on PH.
It’s unbelievable.
This happens for a variety of reasons. Good ones include “mechanics” installing new pads into calipers that look like they have been recovered from rms titanic. Often the slide pins receive no attention and are seized, causing issues. Other times there is slide hardware that should be replaced but doesn’t get replaced and jams up impressively with similar results. Sometimes the caliper hasn’t been retracting for four years and isn’t about to anytime soon, so the addition of a chosty new pad (complete with requisite hammering to install) creates said bonfire within short order. I think they say “they’ll bed in”. Or something.
Overall, another brakes related cluster **** in a couple of days on PH.
It’s unbelievable.
Pit Pony said:
but I am intrigued to see whether they replace pads discs and brake fluid and maybe calipers or just bodge it, by freeing it up
.
My suggestion will be everything has been over heated, the saleman probably shouldnt have driven it, and will have made it worse and therefore they need to resolve it with safety in mind and err on the side of caution.
So advice from the vauhall mechanics on the forum ?
I cant see them doing discs pads and calipers TBH. I dont think taking the calipers off and free / clean and lubricate them would be a bodge though?.
My suggestion will be everything has been over heated, the saleman probably shouldnt have driven it, and will have made it worse and therefore they need to resolve it with safety in mind and err on the side of caution.
So advice from the vauhall mechanics on the forum ?
bearman68 said:
Yeah, no way man would I ever drive an 8 year old car.
Gotta be at least 10 years before I'll touch it.
Coz everyone got the cash for a newer one, but who wants to eh? just no style innit.
We almost did a straight swap, for her Juke. Which she cpuldnt drive due to shoulder problemGotta be at least 10 years before I'll touch it.
Coz everyone got the cash for a newer one, but who wants to eh? just no style innit.
This has auto and electric handbrake..
There were no older csrs with those festures.
Gareth1974 said:
I’ve been after an Astra with the Giffermatic gearbox, are the changes as smooth as they claim?
No worse than a 215K auto omega but a touch slower. I'll report tomorrow after ive driven it 80 miles.Got it back an hour or so ago. The service manager dropped it off at my hotel on his way home.
They have replaced pads. And that is it.
To be honest i just want to get my wife mobile again.
Not sure what to do about her other car. A mk1 mx5.
Probably should sell it and buy an old slk auto.
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