Dealership Gripes...

[legion]

Tuesday night I'm driving home from the gym and I notice that my truck is pulling to the left when I brake. The left front caliper had been sticking since I bought the truck in October, but not to the point to interfere with braking. As I am driving up to Chicago for Christmas tonight, I thought that it would be a good idea to have it checked out before I hit the road. I was expecting that the front left caliper would probably have to be replaced, possibly some rotor resurfacing, and pads all around. I might have even considered doing the work myself if it had been the weekend and a tad bit warmer than 5º F.

I drop the truck off at the Ford dealership Wednesday morning. They call me around 2:00 in the afternoon. They tell me that I need two new calipers (both front--I have drums in the rear), two new rotors, and pads all around.

I question the lady about two new calipers. I explain that I find it highly unusual that they'd both fail at the same time. Further, the truck was stopping fine, it was just pulling when it did. She says she will talk to the tech and call me back.

I get a call ten minutes later. She explains that the tech can just replace the sticking caliper, but recommends replacing them both to prevent "uneven" braking. ("Uneven" braking? WTF?) Further, as if psychically, she also states that the rotors are in spec and can be resurfaced, but the tech doesn't recommend that either.

I tell them to replace just the left front caliper, resurface the rotors, and replace the pads all around.

I am never taking my truck back there again.

BTW, I have had a single caliper replaced on almost every vehicle I have ever owned, and never had a problem.

[asphaltgambler]

Is this a new or used truck?

[JavaBrewer]

We have a Ford Expedition and F150. From what I've heard the brakes on these trucks are problematic and new pads/rotors every 30K miles is not uncommen. I'll never, ever, take my vehicles to a Ford dealership unless it's warranty work. My truck is due for brakes (getting vibration through the pedal and steering wheel) and I'm looking to replace with upgraded pads/rotors in hopes of improved life.

All car dealership service departments suck. They don't fix anything, they replace. The fact that it's almost Christmas and freezing out doesn't help matters either. They figure you're gonna pay a premium just to get it taken care of.

[legion]

'97 F150

Bought it used. 90,000 miles.

Had better than average care taken of it...(I've been asked if it's brand new a few times).

[asphaltgambler]

Devils advoctate. I'm a tech and I would make the same recomendation. Most calipers are only available as a set of two and there is a good reason for that

The issue is that the other caliper could have the beginings of the same sticking. You could machine the rotors, but at that mileage the chance for heat warpage is greater because now the rotor is that much thinner which would lead to pulsation.

I would have also had the brake hyd system flushed as well. The problem may be that the other caliper would start sticking. I also would clean and adjust the rear drum brakes as the auto adjusters rarely work as they are supposed to, leaving additional work for the front brakes

Think of the repair this way. ...would you only replace one shock absorber if it was leaking fluid at that mileage? They are correct in the context of fixing the actual problem then replacing the other components as preventative maintenance.

[legion]

It seemed like massive overkill to me. The other caliper is fine, and the rotors have already been replaced once--I don't think they've been resurfaced at all.

I thought of it more like replacing both headlights if one went out.

Calipers sold in pairs? I've always been able to buy just a single one. The only time I've cared if they came in pairs was if I was upgrading to something like a Brembo system.

I guess I see a Ford pickup truck as being in a different class than a race-ready P-car. I fix things as they break, but I don't replace major things that aren't broken preventatively.

[asphaltgambler]

No doubt that there are two ways to look at this. You absolutely could only replace one caliper, pads, do nothing else. All may be fine... ...and then again it may not.

When it comes to brakes, tires, suspension, oil changes, things of that nature. I would rather go the extra few $$ and be sure that you have a safe, reliable vehicle than to piece it and hope for the best.

Fleet and rental companies take this approach mainly because it is the cheapest service route and the vehicle life span is short (to them) besides, they usually have good insurance.

With the age and the mileage on your truck I'd bet the farm that the piston is seized with rust inside the caliper bore and the fluid looks like s--t. Also a safe bet the other may not be seized yet but it looks just as bad.

I do this for a living so maybe my view is somewhat biased. But I see this kind of stuff everyday. This is a good example of a no win situation for me if I was working on your car. You're p------d-off at this shop for overselling in your opinion. What if that was me and I only replaced the one caliper and pads and sent you packing with no other recommendation. Then lets assume two months later you come back to my shop and now it pulls the other way. A quick inspection reveals that the other caliper needs to be replaced plus new pads(again) and now the rotors will be too thin to turn a second time and oh-by-the-way the rear brakes should be cleaned and adjusted and the fluid should be flushed................

Now you would be p-------d off again right? Of course, who wouldn't?? Now you have to pony up more money the second time than if it was done properly in the begining. There is a big difference between supersizing your happy meal for a few extra $ and fixing the vehicle properly the first time.

It's my job as a technician to thoroughly examine the vehicle for the problem(s), find the cause(s) and make a proper recommendation for the repair. Yes, I'm just a little sensitive and I can't spell worth a s--t!!

[emcon5]

So why couldn't they just rebuild the calipers?

Tom

[legion]

Dunno about a rebuild.

I guess what put me off the most was this was all presented to me as "have to do immediately" type stuff...and then I got a better explanation under questioning. If I had been given a full explanation up front, I'd probably be less angry and more inclined to do most of the work. (BTW, a full brake fluid flush was part of the work done--I didn't mention it because I considered that a no-brainer.) Still, the right caliper appears to be working fine. The tech even concurred that it is working fine. I didn't put up a fuss, I didn't even indicate that I was irritated--I wouldn't unless they were charging me for work they didn't do or something like that. I just choose to vote with my wallet...