Tech Guy stripped my stub axle

[TomoHawk]

So I'm having the mechanic install new bearings while I wait for better weather, and today I get a call from his boss to come over to look t a problem with the axle.

When I got there, he explain the guy was turning the stub axle nut off, and stripped off most of the threads.

I asked why he didn't consult the documents I provided, and he said there was no need, the tech used a punch to loosen up the peened area of the nut. The FSM says to "remove the wheel bearing lock nut." the Atlantic Z writeup says you should use a mototool/Dremel with a small cutoff wheel to cut off the outer, peened ring

That obviously didn't work, because the tech guy just turned the nut off and stripped off most of the threads. See photo.

Si now the shop manager wants ME to buy two new stub axles (at $300 each, -IF- you find one) and new nuts so the tech can do the other side too.

Do you think the shop is at fault? Maybe they should accept some responsibility and do the job for free or something?

Here's a photo of what it looks like. Maybe it can still be used? the Atlantic Z writeup says you can use a ZX nut which has a plastic lock ring in it in stead of peening it down. That sounds better to me.

thxZ

[Decoy12]

The shop is at fault. You gave him instructions and documents to follow, and he clearly ignored it. If he was not qualified to fix it, he should have passed it on to someone who was, but that was not the case. He was over confident in his ability to "repair" something without consulting your documents, now he screwed it up and expects you to pay for his mistake. You are paying them to fix your Z, not to break something and cost you more. Your Z is not a trial and error experiment or a learning experience. The only lesson they should learn from this is that disregarding instructions will cost them $$ for parts and labor.

Edited March 24, 2011 by Decoy12

[jmortensen]

The part of the axle that strips is the part where the peen is, not where the nut is really holding on. I stripped one (though not that bad), dressed the threads with a thread file, and reused it successfully. You'll have to make your own decision about how much it bothers you.

[ajmcforester]

I would not let them touch the other side. That is a hack job. They could of just cut the nut off which I've done many times to keep from damaging threads. I'd understand a little thread tear but as soon as the started to damage the threads he should have stopped and used a different wrought. If I was you and he thinks he will do it the same on the other, get the car out of their and go somewhere better. Don't tick him off you need the wheel put back together correctly but don't let them damage the car. That was amateur work.

[d240zx2]

"Amateur" is a kind word for incompetence.

[240260280z]

The "tech" aka moron... should have stopped after destroying one side. Time to get a lawyer friend to come to the shop with you then get your car towed to a real mechanic.

After my few experiences with "tradesmen" I do everything myself from plumbing, electrical, carpentry... hell I just had to have a metal roof put on my house that I would have done but no time to do. The $5,500 expert installer did not strap at 16". He used 24" to save time and now the metal dips between the straps...laywer in my future... the world is getting fuller with morons and bums.

[easyguy71]

The "tradesman" should have read the documents you provide. If a vehicle owner says "my car is different. Here's what you need to know" then they should be listening. That's not a common thing, an owner providing info on how to do a specific job.

When the "tradesman" started having difficulties getting it off, they should have stopped and found out why.

My thoughts are the same as everyone else's.

If possible, find another garage.

lawyer time.

No way you should be paying for their screw-up.

[sblake01]

If they are acknowledging that they are responsible for stripping it, as you say, how does that lead to them wanting you to pay for their screw-up? I've been trough a couple of situations where the shop working on my vehicle did damage in the process and in both cases they made good on it. However this ends up being resolved, scratch that shop off your list.

[Gary in NJ]

1. They owe you a new stub axle.

2. Don't let them near your car again.

[ZCurves]

It is the responsibility of the shop to replace a component of your vehicle that they damaged while it is on their premises. It is well documented how to replace this part and you provided that documentation! They could have also gone to AllData.com for instructions. It is a matter of what a "Reasonable" person would do. Ohio has some good consumer protection laws. Below is their contact information.

Consumer Protection Section

30 E. Broad St., 14th Fl.

Columbus, Ohio 43215-3400

(800) 282-0515

Now being practical, I would ask them to reassemble the car so that it may be safely removed. You should NOT pay them anything, since they damaged the car! They know that they are Liable and have no grounds for a Mechanics Lien. Be sure that you tell them you know this!! They would be stupid to try it - there is no Theft of Service.

You can find another shop that can perform this work or locate a stub from a member of this forum and do it yourself.

Worst Case (until you find a replacement Stub Axle): You could use the old nut on the stub. Properly torqued, it shouldn't come off -you could even spot weld to lock the nut to the axle (since it is shot already) -just be sure to use your old nut.

Good Luck.

Edited March 24, 2011 by ZCurves

[cygnusx1]

MMS Billet stub axles in your future?

[FastWoman]

See if the shop is a member of the BBB. If they are, file a complaint. They'll work hard to get it resolved, so they may eat the $$$ for the replacement part. You can file a complaint even if they're not BBB members, but they might not do as much to resolve the complaint.

FAIW, they might not see eye to eye with you about fault. Sometimes parts get destroyed upon removal in old/antique cars. I agree there's no way this should have happened, but they're probably going to argue they were doing the best they could do with a rusty old car. Any third party hearing the arguments might not know better. They certainly can't justify your actually paying them for this work, but you may be up a creek with regard to the replacement parts.

I'd ask the shop to simply get the wheel back on the car, so that it can be towed away (to another shop). After you've retrieved the car (and not payed them anything!), then file your BBB complaint. You probably won't get satisfaction, but at least you will have warned others.

I agree with others that I would not let this shop touch my car (any of my cars) ever again.