Patrol Radius Arm broken by Autotechnika [Resolved]

[johnqpublic318]

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.
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Sincerely,

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