My service nightmare

[radman]

Betcha Brandon put the rear pads in bass-ackwards.

My bet is that he put the rear wheel in and, instead of ensuring the rotor was between the pads, the pads slid together and there is now 1 side of the rotor hitting the puck and the other side of the rotor hitting the backside of a pad.

If that's the case, new caliper, new rotor.

Actually, if thats the case, it's worse. if both pads are on one side of the rotor, then either the piston is being applied against the rotor, or the backside of the caliper is. Either way, there's some scrap going in the bucket soon.

 

[donaldb]

Nah, I got a good enough look at it, rotor is between the pads

 

[twowheelnut]

I'm doing my best to learn the maintenance procedure and actions for this bike. However, there are things that I ain't gonna dig into such as valve adjustment. For that stuff, it's going back to the dealer. Now having said that, I have the luxury of living smack dab between two dealers... my selling/servicing dealer and my parts/tire dealer. What I have been doing for years is to call the dealers and inquire as to what the published book labor is for a given service - miles before it's scheduled to happen. I also, when scheduling the service appointment, insist that they check inventory for parts needed and/or have them on hand before they begin. If the stuff ain't there, neither is my bike.

db, if I were you, I'd check another dealer on the sly as to what the various book times for the service performed. Nothing wrong in keeping people honest...

 

[markjenn]

Yes, these charges are out of line for many items. It goes without saying that they screwed up something.

What's your mileage and who is recommending all these services? Stuff like spline lube can best be done while you're in there for tire servicing. And there is no service requirement for the swingarm bushings and u-joints - this stuff is generaly done on condition. Unless you had problems in these areas or have very high mileage, you're probably doing a lot of unnecessary service and as your experience shows, when they tear into things, they can screw it up.

Unless you've got a good reason to deviate, I'm a big believer that you service this stuff by the book.

- Mark

 

[sparky3008]

Yes, these charges are out of line for many items.  It goes without saying that they screwed up something.
What's your mileage and who is recommending all these services?  Stuff like spline lube can best be done while you're in there for tire servicing.  And there is no service requirement for the swingarm bushings and u-joints - this stuff is generaly done on condition.  Unless you had problems in these areas or have very high mileage, you're probably doing a lot of unnecessary service and as your experience shows, when they tear into things, they can screw it up.

Unless you've got a good reason to deviate, I'm a big believer that you service this stuff by the book.

- Mark

Agree with mark on the lube spline issue. My dealer did it as part of the rear tire change, but I did ask if it was part of the job before they did it to make sure. Didn't cost me anymore than a regular tire change. Careful on this as some dealers will try to charge you what they charge to do a GoldWing and I got mine done at a mid size bike price.

Air filter is at 12000 miles. Warchild site shows taking it out and blowing it off.

He even has a brake pad replacement article.

The throttle body synch is as easy as popping the tank and taking off the 4 rubber nibbles and putting the synch tool on. Then looking at the tool turn a screw in or out to raise or lower to adjust them to the #3 cylinder. Put rubber nipples on, done.

There are tools that make bleeding brakes much easier like the mini pump. I have one but can't think of the actual name.

As with TWN the only thing I really am taking my bike in for is the valve's and I have a close personal friend who has been a bike mechanic all his life and is one of the few I trust with that type of stuff.

WWW.fjrtech.com

 

[donaldb]

markjenn, your prolly right, some of this was was owner request items. I bought this bike used, it was purchased new in Oct 03 (according to the title) original owner hardly ever rode the bike and in two years only put 1200 miles on it. Then along came baby and the bike had to sell, so I bought it last Sept and have put on an additional 4600 miles. Weather is turning nice and I will be putting a lot of miles on this bike shortly, I took it in and had these items ck'd because 1-the bike is two and a half years old even though miles are low, and 2-it was bought used and I wanted to make sure everything was in good shape before spring and summer. Maybe some of these items were not necessary, but I feel better knowing they were checked and serviced. I put on my instruction sheet for service tec (Richard) to call me and discuss these items, he did, but after he did all the work. I dropped the bike off last Saturday, service dept is closed on Sat. I told Richard when he called me yesterday and advised me he was finished, and the charges totaled 510.00, I told Richard he was suppose to call me as I wanted his opinion if some of the requested service was unnecessary before he started. He said my instructions did not say that. He may be right, I may not have explicitly stated to call me before he started, but I do know that I did write on the note for him to call me and I left my home #, cel# and work#. No doubt the dealership service department took advantage of the opportunity. Lesson learned, I wont be back and it is unfortunate because that is a convenient dealership. I will talk w/the owner when I pick my bike up after they repair the rear break, he will w/out a doubt know how I feel about how this went down, but when all said and done, he probably wont give a damn. There is only two Yamaha dealerships here in Jackson, MS and I dislike the other one even more.

 

[Scab]

Wait til you get the bill for the rear brake...

 

[Geezer]

Well, if it's any consolation, it's gonna cost him a few bucks for parts to replace that rotor and whatever else is damaged.

I would expect the service receipt to indicate the mileage on the odometer when you dropped it off. That will tell you if the tech. went joy riding. A test ride should have been no more than a mile or two.

 

[FlyingLow]

Question for DonaldB:

Suppose that there was no problem with the rear brake after picking up the bike, that it rode and ran great. Would you be in here now commenting on how you overpaid for unnecessary service? Or was it the brake mess-up that pushed you over the edge?

 

[NoCage]

Question for DonaldB:Suppose that there was no problem with the rear brake after picking up the bike, that it rode and ran great. Would you be in here now commenting on how you overpaid for unnecessary service? Or was it the brake mess-up that pushed you over the edge?

DB was pissed off before he knew about the brakes... see this previous thread, 9th post.

 

[radman]

There are tools that make bleeding brakes much easier like the mini pump. I have one but can't think of the actual name.

Mity-Vac

 

[donaldb]

Question for DonaldB:Suppose that there was no problem with the rear brake after picking up the bike, that it rode and ran great. Would you be in here now commenting on how you overpaid for unnecessary service? Or was it the brake mess-up that pushed you over the edge?

I don't know that I would define the work that was done as completely unnecessary, I can see where some of you would think so. There (was) a piece of mind factor that all was well after 2-1/2 years. I emphasize(was) because after the error they made w/my rear break, I aint all so confident about the other work. I got a spooky feeling in the back of my mind that what if something was left loose and decides at let go at 75 mph!!!

What I found last night. My significantly better half wanted to watch American Idol, uuummphh, I got up went to the fridge, grabbed a 6 pk of Coors Light and walked down to my shop w/the beer and a flashlight. My shop does have power and overhead light but for close quarters, after dark, I wanted a flashlight. Got down on my back and ck'd rear break real close, and to what my wondering eyes would appear?----My first thought after I found it was------damn! Radman was right--sh*t-- The inside break pad is on the outside of the caliper, just as purdy as you please, the inside caliper is against the rotor, with no pad!!, the inside pad isn't even touching the rotor, its on the outside like a hood ornament! WTF!! :huh: and this is an ABS bike. I don't know if that will make a difference or if the damage to the caliper is only cosmetic, after all I only rode it for 7+/- miles from shop to the house. My neighbor is coming down to the house tonight and taking a pic. He is to e-mail it to me so I hope to be able to show ya'll next week. I am off work tomorrow--gone to Golden Meadow LA for a weekend of redfish and speckled trout--HA!! at least that will get my mind off this situation. They were suppose to come pick it up yesterday, but as you might expect that did not happen, and now I am glad after finding what I did last night. I will wait until first of next week after I get back from my trip to get back into this situation.

What do you guys think about possible damage to caliper? the rotor is shot I know they have to replace that part, but what possible damage could have been done to my caliper and what is considered only cosmetic and what is real damage that would require caliper replacement? where's that line? what do I need to look for? I am gonna require that they let me look over the damage when they have it broken down and apart, so when I get there what do I need to look for and be concerned about? questions to ask?

Also, little Brandon who did the work, I don't think is certified, he's just a kid. Are there any Yamaha rules regarding who can and cannot work on this bike at a dealership? Is a certification required? if so should I ask to see Brandon's? Thanx in advance for your responses and help! BD

 

[Geezer]

The mechanic should be ashamed of himself. If they had a rookie kid working on your bike the dealer should definately have had a real mechanic check his work. Sounds pretty obvious that they never took the bike for a test ride.

As I see it, even if the damage to the caliper is only cosmetic they should be held responsible to replace it. A caliper is not something that you would normally replace over the life of the bike. Resale value is lowered if there is any detectable damage, even if it is only aesthetic.

Also, how comfortable will you be riding a bike with a damaged caliper and how much confidence are you going to have in the opinion of that particular dealer if he tells you it is safe?

It is very good that you got a picture as evidence of the incompetence.

 

[radman]

It means the caliper piston is gone as it has ground against the rotor. If I had screwed it up, I would examine and clean up the piston, as it's function hasn't been altered-but if it's someone elses dime, a new piston and cal kit is called for. Not a biggie.

 

[Scab]

Any damage, even cosmetic, would warrant some new replacements IMO.

As for Brandon...

Ain't this the kid from Orangevale's vid post "what not to do" that ramed the rear of that car while trying to do the oh-so-impressive wheelie?

If so, it's not his fault. The road rash he had impaired his ability to properly reassemble.

AND...Just for principle...Kick his ***.

Oh, yeah, +1 on rad's psychic abilities.

 

[sparky3008]

Side note, if this kid can't do brakes I would definitely make sure he is not the one who does your tire change unless you want a Fu*ked up Rim. Just my 2cents...

 

[Randy]

Radman was right--sh*t-- The inside break pad is on the outside of the caliper, just as purdy as you please, the inside caliper is against the rotor, with no pad!!, the inside pad isn't even touching the rotor, its on the outside like a hood ornament! WTF!!

Not that I'm keeping score or trying to 1-up radman, but, he said the pad was in backwards and I said the wheel was installed with the rotor between the caliper pucks and the back of 1 of the pads. I don't know who was right, nor do I care, but, I don't understand your explanation of what was wrong because I can't figure out how a pad can be outside of a caliper.

There probably wasn't much damage to the caliper, but, I'd be asking for a new one.

 

[donaldb]

The dealership has called me twice today and they are going out to inspect the bike this afternoon, they are suppose to come pick it up tomorrow, I will get pic's tonight before they take it away. I'll keep ya'll posted next week!

 

[radman]

Radman was right--sh*t-- The inside break pad is on the outside of the caliper, just as purdy as you please, the inside caliper is against the rotor, with no pad!!, the inside pad isn't even touching the rotor, its on the outside like a hood ornament! WTF!!

Not that I'm keeping score or trying to 1-up radman, but, he said the pad was in backwards and I said the wheel was installed with the rotor between the caliper pucks and the back of 1 of the pads. I don't know who was right, nor do I care, but, I don't understand your explanation of what was wrong because I can't figure out how a pad can be outside of a caliper.

There probably wasn't much damage to the caliper, but, I'd be asking for a new one.

Not to worry, as I'm done offering advice in the forum anyhows. There's already plenty to be had.

 

[odot]

I'd offer advice but my forte is toilet bowl cleaning.