Need Help!

Took my car to Firestone to have them tighten up all the bolts that connect the rear wheel to the subframe. next day i went to grab a burger and did a walk around my car and wow! there is damage to both sides just behind the front wheels. On the drivers side it's a gash and a dent. On the passenger side, the bottom has been pushed up so much it doesn't line up with the fender liner anymore. also, there was scuffing to my steering wheel (not a big deal but i totally felt it and was like wtf) when i drove the car home. Furthermore,they told me they smelled gas and there was an evap code in the obd. The next day i go to fill her up and find that the gas cap was almost completely unscrewed! I always tighten the gas cap, like extra hard, how the heck does this even happen! I know every scratch and ding on my car. The damage shown in the pictures below was not there when i dropped the car off. I called them up and let them know about it, the guy i talked to said he was the one that serviced it and they didn't jack the car up because of how low it is, so they had to use the alignment lift. I really can't speculate as to how the damage happened. All i know is that the damage was not there when i left the car with them. and now it is =(. So the mechanic said to bring it in on tuesday when he is in, so he can look at it. but i really don't know how this issue can be resolved. anyone else had something like this happen to them, or can recommend the proper course of action?

 

That's terrible. It looks like they did not have the car properly centered on the forks that lifted the car. Shoddy work.

I took my 2000 to a newer Firestone shop (one year old). One of my friends who sells cars is related to the manager. My friend said the newer stores have the best alignment equipment. I just got new tires so I got a lifetime wheel alignment. I also asked that they check the subframe bolts. They said the car would not align to spec on their rack if any bolts were loose. Anyway, they aligned it without a problem on their alignment rack. My 2006 S2k has the stock suspension (not lowered).

If they don't take care of it, I can ask the local Firestone manager how to file a claim with Firestone Corporate offices. Let me know.

Good Luck!

 

Always do a walk around before driving off from a shop. Once you leave, there's no way to prove the damage didn't happen later. Sorry to say that I won't be surprised if you end up eating this one.

Also, Firestone is not a good place to go unless you know someone there. They're used to working on Corollas, mini school buses, and pick-ups. And they want cars in and out as quick as possible. They won't give your s2k the special treatment it deserves, as the photos illustrate.

 

Hopefully you can get this resolved. If you can, show them some recent photos of your S and compare them. The damage is definitely in areas where you can say that it was caused by being improperly aligned on the lift because of the bent jacking points. Might not get anything out of the steering wheel, but common sense should tell them that they didn't lift it right.. Good luck!

 

That's a bummer.

Those dents honestly don't look too bad in the sense that the whole fender doesn't needs to be repainted. Since those jabroni shop techs only penetrated the bottom portion of the fender where that rough paint is, I'm sure a competent PDR shop can push them back out. Apply some touch up paint, and it should look close to where it was before.

 

U left the scene, worst thing to do. If they have a video camera ask to see it. Your pretty much going to have to file with insurance. You never leave an accident site without a police report!!!!!!!!!!

 

You need to go back ASAP. I'm a manager at a sears auto and customers blame us for lots of things regardless if we actually did it or not. If I decline responbility I still have to call the insurance and have them settle it with the customer. Also if they don't help you than I would call there corporate number and that will usually get the ball rolling. When you get work done there is a sheet that the CSA fills out that mentions any damage before service see if they left it blank they most likely did. I think you will be fine just go back and talk nice and calm and I don't see an issue. Good luck

 

Go back ASAP. The problem is going to be harder to solve now that you've left and they can blame the damage was done off site

 

From now on, ask if you can watch your vehicle be worked on too. If they won't let you, go somewhere else.

 

Thanks for all the support everyone. I went to the shop first thing this morning, and had the service manager look at the damage. I was calm and just stated the facts.... the damage was not there when i dropped off the car. He then helped me to file a claim with the corporate office. I should be receiving a call soon regarding this issue, not sure how long it will take but he said it might be a while. Oh well, i guess we shall see what happens next.