Patrol Radius Arm broken by Autotechnika [Resolved]

**johnqpublic318** · February 1st, 2007 08:56 PM

Dear all,

Just today I brought my Patrol back to Autotechnika Fort for alignment re-adjustment. I had it aligned the day before but it was still pulling a bit to the right so I wanted them to put a bit more negative toe since that historically solves the problem.

A 1997 Y60 Patrol is a solid axle vehicle with no camber or caster adjustment and the only thing you can touch is toe.

However, they since my Patrol is lifted and my caster is not in spec, they thought tightening the radius arm as it connects to the chassis would help fix caster pull.

They must have over-tightened the radius arm since they completely broke-off the threaded portion that connects it to the chassis. This is a huge 3-foot plus cast-iron suspension arm that holds the front axle in place. Without a radius arm the front axle will come off.

When I arrived, I wasn't mad at the technician cause he's a good fellow and people can make mistakes. What I didn't like was the owner's reaction that it wasn't their fault since all they did was tighten it. Aw, c'mon... If your technician breaks something like a radius arm in your shop then just bite the bullet, accept responsibility and offer to replace it. It's that simple. That how I would do it.

All in all, replacing the part will cost me P8,000 including labor and re-installation of my new ARB caster correction bushings. Such will also render me without my vehicle for 2-days.

What I don't understand is why they didn't opt to just accept responsibility and agree to pay for it? The owner just walked away and I just drove out of the shop to limp my Patrol back to our Service Center. It's a relatively small amount considering that I was their former Operations Manager and I bring them a lot of business. I sold a few of their Pbox', referred a client that brought them a fleet of Patrols with a total repair bill exceeding P200,000 and bought/are in the process of buying a bunch of stuff from them like a P150,000 lifter, a P50,000 battery analyzer and air-to-coil-spring conversion kits as Service Manager of Jaguar-Land Rover-Ferrari Philippines. Sure I earned too cause they paid me a bit of commission for that fleet referral and Pbox sales. However, I don't ask or take any commission if it’s my Service Center buying equipment and I will re-iterate that. Aside from what I mentioned, it's obvious that I also patronize Autotechnika by taking my Patrol there for alignment and referring various 4x4 enthusiasts to them.

We don't have an alignment machine at Jaguar-Land Rover-Ferrari and our alignments are often handled by Bridgestone-Fort. We have an account with them but I still decided to bring my own personal prized possession to Autotechnika. Such speaks enough volume and this is how I get treated? There used to be no animosity but I'm now pissed. P8,000 is a small amount... I'm pissed at the disrespect.
http://tsikot.yehey.com/forums/editp...&postid=744935
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Sincerely,

J. Paolo San Mateo
Service Manager
Jaguar-Land Rover-Ferrari Philippines

**OTEP** · February 1st, 2007 09:12 PM

Sorry about your troubles Pao. Weren't you with Autotechnika Commonwealth before? How can their Fort branch treat you as bad as they did knowing that you bring in business for them. I've not heard you say anything bad about Autotechnika here at Tsikot, 4x4ph, and other local forums until now so I guess you're pretty ticked off.

An Php8,000.00 radius arm won't exactly send their books in the red, won't it? That is why some people choose to deal with more high end shops like the one you mentioned, because they feel more secure doing business. Apparently, it's not always the case.

I wonder what their side of the story is...

P.S., I'm moving this thread to the more appropriate forum.

**johnqpublic318** · February 1st, 2007 09:40 PM

I've avoided discussing Autotechnika on any forum after I left. I simply gave straight and short answers about the shop when asked.

You know I'm brash but I've never bad-mouthed Autotechnika on any forum but now I'm mad.

My current shop isn't perfect but we'll pay for what we break-- especially if it's as obvious as an over-tightened bolt. (A radium arm is like a huge bolt.)

**afrasay** · February 1st, 2007 09:48 PM

Sorry to hear that too. Well it's a good thing it didn't happen when their Fairview re torque that same part on my Patrol. Only two ways to break that, a miscalibrated torque wrench or Superman.

**johnqpublic318** · February 1st, 2007 11:09 PM

They claim that my alignment re-adjustment instruction caused breakage. Why would my instructions to adjust alignment to have some negative toe be the cause any breakage? If you overtighten a nut, you can break a bolt regardless of any alignment setting.

Also, I'm not stupid. I have a degree in Automotive and Heavy Truck Technology from Universal Technical- Phoenix, MOOG and Monroe Certified and am also ASE Certified in Suspension and Steering.

I know what happened. They simply overtightened a bolt, broke it but won't admit fault. It's that simple.

The broken arm is at the Jaguar-Land Rover Service Center and anyone who doubts my assesment of what transpired can examine it.

**jedi** · February 1st, 2007 11:52 PM

Sir it is better if you can show some pics and receipt from autotechnica, im not saying na di ako naniniwala sa claim mo, kaya lang po inorder for members to believe sa mga claims like this mas ok po na you can show some proofs.

last time po kasi na nangyari ito eh medyo nagkaroon ang tsikot ng problema coz both parties (the customer and service provider) eh puro salita lang ang lumalabas, while kaming mga readers nalilito. May instance din na binabantaan pa kami ng mga so-called lawyer ng isang shop.

Tsikot.com is open for cases like this, one reason kung bakit andito ang tsikot eh para maishare ang mga experience natin sa mga service providers. We just want to be fair with everyone.

Good thing sir na you posted your real name

how i wish na yung mga cases na ganito ay maresolve agad.

Originally Posted by johnqpublic318

They claim that my alignment re-adjustment instruction caused breakage. Why would my instructions to adjust alignment to have some negative toe be the cause any breakage? If you overtighten a nut, you can break a bolt regardless of any alignment setting.

Also, I'm not stupid. I have a degree in Automotive and Heavy Truck Technology, MOOG and Monroe Certified am ASE Certified in Suspension and Steering.

I know what happened. They simply overtightened a bolt, broke it but won't admit fault. It's that simple.

The broken arm is at the Jaguar-Land Rover Service Center and anyone who doubts my assesment of what transpired can examine it.

**johnqpublic318** · February 2nd, 2007 02:21 AM

I have the receipt. I really don't know how to post pics but will try. If I had something to hide, I would not post my real name, place of work and agree to show the broken radius arm threaded area for everyone to see. Though I'm moderator at Autoindustriya and 4x4ph, I opted to first post here where I'm not known nor have any influence.

I'm both a Land Rover Club and Nissan Patrol Club member. I will bring the broken radius arm, alignment receipt from Autotechnika and my calling card (to attest that I'm this person) during the upcoming Nissan Patrol Club EB for everyone to see.

I have nothing financial to gain. I have already bought a brand-new radius arm from UMC/Car & Recreational Vehicle, Inc.

Rats has agreed to remove the brand-new press-fit ARB caster correction bushings that I bought just 3-days ago from my broken radius arm and install on my new one. Those ARB bushings cost me P5,000 plus P1,950 machine shop labor. Now I have to spend to carefully remove them without damage and have them re-installed on the newly bought radius arm. I immediately asked my parts runner to purchase another within 2-hours after Autotechnika broke my old one. Rats has promised to try their best to remove the press fit bushings so I don't have to spend again and buy another set.

We will do the re-installation at Jaguar-Land Rover and I will spend for everything-- including another alignment job that I will take to Brigdestone Fort.

I'm posting to air my grievance and not to be compensated a single centavo.

**nugundam93** · February 2nd, 2007 04:11 AM

let's wait if torque2006 has something to say about this as well. it sure is disappointing though if a shop breaks something sa car mo and they won't own up to it.

**wreckless** · February 2nd, 2007 04:52 AM

Rant all you want Pao!

It's really frustating that you have all the credentials and knowledge pero binabaliktad ka pa rin nung shop (owner)..para lang hindi sila magbayad; nakaka-piss off talaga.

**Galactus** · February 2nd, 2007 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by nugundam93

let's wait if torque2006 has something to say about this as well. it sure is disappointing though if a shop breaks something sa car mo and they won't own up to it.

I don't think torque2006 can do anything about it...after all, owner na mismo ng autotechnika ang nakaharap ng threadstarter...but on second thought, maybe torque2006 can change his mind, negative publicity is bad for business

Side question lang, hindi ba magkaibigan yung owner at threadstarter? Baka pwedeng idaan sa magandang usapan, tapos reimburse na lang lahat ng gastos. Para lahat happy