Volvo dealership service rant.

[TerryBPP]

I inheretid my fiance's S70 volvo after I bought her a new 330i. The previous month she had taken the car to have the brakes serviced due to squeling (Its under full warrantee to 100k miles). We go to pick it up together and the said they order a new caliper because the rear passenger was leaking. Then handend her a $125 bill for changing the oil and checking the trans fluid! Not covered under the warrantee. Figures...and wait....it gets better.

So the dealership never calls her back to tell her to come get the caliper installed. After the high oil change bill I told her I would check the brakes this weekend. So I pull out my impact wrench to loosen the wheel studs before jacking it up and my socket break on the first try. Luckily I had another and grab a breaker bar instead of the impact wrench. I put it on another stud on another wheel and SNAP! Broke another socket.

At this point I suspected the dealership had pounded the studs on with an impact and no torque wrench. But it got even better....I go and buy a new socket and finally get a stud of and guess what? They had lock tighted every single stud!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I spend 1 hr getting the studs off and come to find out the caliper was fine just needed pads. Although they did lock tight ever bolt on the cailper needed to service it.

So I spent 5 hrs Saturday doing a 4 disc brake job.

[Moneyguy1]

And people complain about Midas and others of that ilk..Seems as if poor service knows no boundaries. I have actually had the worst service at dealerships and the best at small shops that specialize in specific marques.

[mschuep]

Lock-Tite...Brilliant!!!

[Dave L]

now just imagine your fiance on the side of the road trying to get the wheel of because of a flat. I always re torque my wheels after going in for any service where they take the wheels off.

[Rondinone]

Originally posted by Dave L
... I always re torque my wheels after going in for any service where they take the wheels off.

Yup.

[competentone]

Originally posted by TerryBPP
...and my socket break on the first try. Luckily I had another and grab a breaker bar instead of the impact wrench. I put it on another stud on another wheel and SNAP! Broke another socket.

It sounds like you need some better quality tools!

A proper, non-permanent thread lock is a pretty good idea. I don't know what they used, but a non-permanent thread lock should not have given problems -- in fact, in the longer term, the thread-lock can make future disassembly easier since it will help prevent corrosion within the threads.

[TerryBPP]

Originally posted by competentone
It sounds like you need some better quality tools!

A proper, non-permanent thread lock is a pretty good idea. I don't know what they used, but a non-permanent thread lock should not have given problems -- in fact, in the longer term, the thread-lock can make future disassembly easier since it will help prevent corrosion within the threads.

Craftsman thick walled sockets are pretty hard to break.

Luckily I will be getting a full refund from Sears.

[89911]

I've had a few Volvo's. Midlevel import car with High level import expenses. Add having a women bring in the car, and the trap is set.

[TerryBPP]

Originally posted by 89911
I've had a few Volvo's. Midlevel import car with High level import expenses. Add having a women bring in the car, and the trap is set.

Her parents bought her the car new in 00'. I would relate the driving feel to a chevy pickup. No response, no pick up, basic big interior. Nothing euro about the car.

And as soon as I get thru the 2 vacations, 6 birth days, x-mas, and my aniversary I am gladly trading it in on another BMW.

[CJFusco]

Originally posted by Dave L
now just imagine your fiance on the side of the road trying to get the wheel of because of a flat. I always re torque my wheels after going in for any service where they take the wheels off.

Hear hear. I had new tires installed on my 944. About 20 miles later, I heard a weird clicking. I check the front wheels to inspect, and lo-and-behold, the driver's side wheel's lugnuts were half-off the studs!

[911boost]

I don't think you can characterize the dealership ebing poor just because its a Volvo. I have had the same experiences at Ford, Chevrolet, Subaru and Honda.

We leased an S60, the dealership was so good to my wife and treated her properly, that we bought the XC90 from them.

So I guess it just boils down to the fact that like any service industry, you are bound to run into a couple of tards every once in a while.

[stevepaa]

I would take the car back and asked to be shown where the caliper was leaking. Then ask why they use liquid thread locker on the studs. I don't believe it is called out on the Volvo repair manuals, as I have them vor my V70. Volvo uses bolts with the built-in thread locker material on bolts that need it. They have never put any stuff on our wheel studs and they do use a torque wrench, at least the mechanic I watched.

If not satisfied with answers contact regional customer service and do everyone a favor.

[Rikao4]

Like he said could be any poor service dealership..
Other half's Volvo needs a service..call 2 weeks in advance to ensure loaner.She shows up..first the loaner is FILTHY / inside and out..oh 'you need to put some gas into,we are behind. She's running late..deals with it..
Now ,you don't want to pi$$ this girl of..
She called the regional Volvo guys,gave them hell, then upon returning the car marched into Mgr. place gave him a lecture on service.
Gave them F on the report card.
Folks,when she goes there now..you would think she's married to Volvo.
Hilarious
Rika

[TerryBPP]

My rant was directed at Naples Devo Volvo to clarify. Not at every Volvo dealership.

Thanks for pointing out my generalization.

[911boost]

I would call the manager. I have done that in the past. I won't go into lots of detail, but in the end they corrected the situation.