repair work on car - advice

RobAMerc

folks,

My car has had the original set of brake discs for nearly 100k mks.
They recently started to vibrate and I was told it was because they had become warped.
I had them replaced under warranty while other work was being fixed from the dealer, which I thought very fair as its a "consumable".
Within a month of having them replaced it happened again, but this time out of warranty. The mechanic who replaced them told me its a serious known issue with the model of car I am driving and I will just have to live with it !
I paid 450 for them to be replaced again ( I was to have the bill emailed to me but didnt get it )
Now less than 700kms later its happened again!
I rang the mechanic and he tells me it must be the way I am driving it and its a problem with the type of car I am driving - again repeating he knows a few others with the exact same issue.

(I can tell you from being on this forum and others - if it was this big an issue I would have heard of it before.)

He says he is going to email the suppliers and ask them for a free replacement, but they will more than likely tell me to go swing.

So, might I have a case to go after him for fitting ( or maybe not ) parts badly, or after the parts manufacturer for rubbish parts ?

I am thinking of ringing him and asking for a receipt for the parts as I want to chase the manufacturers through the courts. I wonder if it will scare him into action.

( just to note - the other part replaced on the car which turned out to be faulty also and needed to be replaced again too! )

I would appreciate any advice.

thanks
Rob

colm_mcm

Just to clarify, we can this is a used car you bought recently and you're not dealing with a main dealer?

What's the relationship between the mechanic and the dealer?

RobAMerc

colm_mcm wrote: »

Just to clarify, we can this is a used car you bought recently and you're not dealing with a main dealer?

What's the relationship between the mechanic and the dealer?

Yes, I bought it last June from a 2nd hand car dealer.
I used his mechanic to redo the brakes after he had done them originally as he promised to do it for "trade rates" given that he'd done work on the brakes already.

Other than the car dealer uses them I dont think they have a relationship

dense

RobAMerc wrote: »

folks,

My car has had the original set of brake discs for nearly 100k mks.
They recently started to vibrate and I was told it was because they had become warped.
I had them replaced under warranty while other work was being fixed from the dealer, which I thought very fair as its a "consumable".
Within a month of having them replaced it happened again, but this time out of warranty. The mechanic who replaced them told me its a serious known issue with the model of car I am driving and I will just have to live with it !
I paid 450 for them to be replaced again ( I was to have the bill emailed to me but didnt get it )
Now less than 700kms later its happened again!
I rang the mechanic and he tells me it must be the way I am driving it and its a problem with the type of car I am driving - again repeating he knows a few others with the exact same issue.

(I can tell you from being on this forum and others - if it was this big an issue I would have heard of it before.)

He says he is going to email the suppliers and ask them for a free replacement, but they will more than likely tell me to go swing.

So, might I have a case to go after him for fitting ( or maybe not ) parts badly, or after the parts manufacturer for rubbish parts ?

I am thinking of ringing him and asking for a receipt for the parts as I want to chase the manufacturers through the courts. I wonder if it will scare him into action.

( just to note - the other part replaced on the car which turned out to be faulty also and needed to be replaced again too! )

I would appreciate any advice.

thanks
Rob

How do you mean it's a "known issue" with your model of car?

What's the issue? In other words what's causing it, and whats the remedy, according to those "in the know"?

colm_mcm

I think it's caused by sticking calipers. You've got a 5 series now right?

RobAMerc

it is a 5 series but its not been diagnosed as a sticking caliper ( although checked for it )

btw - it should be pointed out I also posted in the motors forum here asking if this was a known issue and asking for advice.
I am guessing @colm_mcm you knew my car was a 5 series from there rather than immediately recognizing it as a 5 series issue ?

I think its more likely caused by poor workmanship fitting the discs off true or poor quality products, warping quickly or pads sticking to the discs leaving the discs with material stuck to them.

thanks

Autochange

It can't be the discs which are the problem.there is an underlying issue here for sure. Is it front or rear and is it both sides or just one?
Make and model of car ?

RobAMerc

its the front - I've no idea if its both sides - both have been changed all 3 times.

BMW diagnosed it as a wheel bearing issue. I had that changed also. No fix.

Its not pulling to left or right while driving, and brakes dead straight and true.

There is a slight wheel vibration however at 120kph I've put down to a wheel balance - its very slight however ( most I doubt would notice it )

Autochange

Discs would always have to be replaced in pairs so it may be one side . Front would rule out sticking handbrake etc. Sounds like a faulty carrier or caliper. Jack it up if possible. Put it in neutral. Have someone barely push down the be brake pedal. Turn the wheels by hand and feel if there is more resistance in one side than the other. Also take it for a quick spin and afterwards put your hand on each disc. See if one side is much hotter than the other. Something dosnt add up

RobAMerc

Autochange wrote: »

Also take it for a quick spin and afterwards put your hand on each disc. See if one side is much hotter than the other. Something dosnt add up

tried this - neither hotter than the other.