Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2012 18:18:39 -0700
Reply-To: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Caliper Bleeder Screw: RF Typically Seize More Often?
In-Reply-To: <501B1301.9060007@turbovans.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Thanks Scott. Your "tapping" tip was one I'd read of in the archives.
I strapped a small rag to the screw with bailing wire and will
continue to soak it with penetrating fluid. I doubt it'll work, but
you never know. Prepping the other 3 screws with fluid may well have
helped. I haven't seen Kroil on the shelves locally but will look into
getting some. Thanks.
Not telling me that they bled the caliper at a hose union is the issue
for me. I even wrote in my notes to him that I'd sprayed the bleeders
with penetrating fluid well in advance.
They are a busy shop but as you suggest, that's no excuse. I twice
clearly told the owner that they should have noted this issue. Heck.
They made notes on almost everything else I'd asked them to do and
check.
We're still on a good page however. When I asked if they had bled the
clutch line, he wasn't sure. But. He said he could do it quickly in
the driveway, possibly inferring this would be done at no charge.
I'm likely a tough case for some mechanics. At best I'm a "shade tree"
amateur but I likely know more about Vanagons than the average owner.
The shop knows this. Maybe this somehow played into their decision.
I've been on the other side of "the counter" as a tech so I know that
being calm with these things is important. Moreover, I've had great
conversations with the owner (this being the same guy who gave me a
short "how to" on his Snap On Vantage) so possibly we have more of a
personal connection than other customers.
On a positive note, they did take the time to make a note of things
like how much metal shavings on the transmission drain plug etc., and
all 4 wheels are torqued on just fine. ;)
Anyhow. This is small potatoes stuff. But. It makes even clearer to me
that I need a nice 12' high 400 sq. ft. (minimum) shop!
I appreciate your insights Scott. As a pro, you know exactly what it's
like to be on the "other side of the counter".
Neil.
On Thu, Aug 2, 2012 at 4:53 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans
<scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> Often the right side of a car is a little more tired in the
> suspension/brakes than the right side..
> more bumps on the right edge of the road etc.
>
> I have seen the opposite though on a very road-salt rusted Westy ...
> the left side, spending more time in the heavier concentrations of winter
> road salt was considerably more rusted..severely rusted actually, in the
> suspension/brakes than was the right side.
>
> Tapping firmly on the top of a bleeder screw with a hammer has some affect
> on 'waking up the threads.'
> Don't over-do it of course.
> If they bled to a hose junction only, then they didn't get new fluid into
> the caliper really.
> The 'right thing' would have been to call you up ..
> inform you about that and *give you choices.*
......
> On the few times I have called a shop to try to talk to them about something
> like this ..
> being as non-accusatory as I can be ...
.....
> to be fair, many shops are buried in work ..
> I would try to have a conversation with that shop.
> If they do not say some form of ..
> "you're right, we should have at least let you know about that stuck bleeder
> valve " ( see further below )
>
> to be fair again ..sometimes they do try to reach the customer. and can't
> ...so they have to decide themselves so they can clear up the work bay ..in
> that case...for a long time loyal good customer who you know would want it
> fixed right ..you replace the caliper or whatever. and even still ....your
> nervous to spring a suprise higher amount on any customer .
> unless .. I have one like this ..he has never said 'how much is it going to
> cost?" ..he has only always said ..
> it's for my son who won't have access to vanagon repair ...just fix it
> right. For him I know he'll want anything I find not right fixed. .
> otherwise ....they should never do unauthorized repairs, in that sense the
> did the right thing there. ..
> And ..at the first opportunity they should have said .".ok...we got most of
> it flushed..but we had to 'work around' a dificulty at one wheel and it's
> not quite what we hopped to accomplish "
> Then you'd feel they were looking out for you completely.
>
> if they let the van go like the job was done as agreed ..and you had to find
> out yourself they didn't and they didn't tell you..
> that bordrs on disception.
......
> Be real nice if your guys 'own' this and make it up to you. Like an effort
> to get that one bleeder working ..get that brake bleed ...and maybe
> something like a free oil change sometime............IF you can trust them !
> lol.
........
--
Neil n
65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
'88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.
'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
