New subject: Monoleaf advice...

[Stevo]

Ok I'm changing this over to monoleaf Q & A instead of creating a new thread

 

Original post

 

Need advice... 'service screw up'

 

I finally got off my ass and had my tank replaced.

 

I had the tank, straps, sending unit and filler neck all replaced.

 

Only problem is that I now have no gas guage (I put $20 in and it says empty)

 

My monoleaf is busted (pulling up onto the pad at the station must have finished the deal)

 

The monoleaf was cracked (layer separations to 2" from end) but the end sat completely inside on resin blocks when the car was sitting on the ground. When the suspension hung in the air the leaf was more visible and you could see the whole deal. Over a year ago I had shocks on the rear replaced and the dealer said it was fine the way it was. Now it's fucked because the guy that put on the tank didnt make sure the leaf was sitting all the way back in when he put everything back on. I know this wasnt just a coincidence if failure since I have had this thing up on a hoist several times since putting the rear struts on.

 

So now I gotta call this guy back and tell him wtf is goin on.

 

I'm wondering. Wtf can I replace this with since this seems to be a dealer only item (not much W stuff in this area).

 

What can I pull from a yard to replace this since I think it's FE-3 because it's an International.

 

Because the monoleaf had some damage but worked fine... how much should I be on the hook for replacing this? I think I should pay for the part and they should install it. Should I forgo any chance at extra damage and have the dealer install it since the dealer goes through these guys for rads and tanks (Apparently all the local gm dealers get their tanks through this guy).

 

I'm again ... fuckin pissed. I knew I should have done the work myself on a weekend.

 

ps. With parts, labour and tax it was $630 total. =\

[turby]

I'm sorry but you think someone else should pay for and install a part you knew was breaking and could break any time?

 

Did you happen to tell the guy about it and to watch it?

[jeremy]

I've got to agree with Joe on this one.

[Robby1870]

I also agree with the above.

[Stevo]

I'd have to say that when your working around any part... A major one like this is something you can spot right off the bat.

 

Also ... I find it hard to understand how someone can install rear struts and not further damage something and yet these guys seemed to just whack everything together without any regard for what was there.

 

I'm not saying they should repair everything free of charge but come on ... one shop had no problem wirking around it and I drove around with it for over a year and now this is what happens... I was better off with a leaky gas tank because now the car is not even drivable at all.

 

Also I'm at a loss as to how I can replace this since the part is no longer a shelf item.[br]Posted on: April 04, 2006, 10:24:22 PM_________________________________________________

I'd have to say that when your working around any part... A major one like this is something you can spot right off the bat.

 

Also ... I find it hard to understand how someone can install rear struts and not further damage something and yet these guys seemed to just whack everything together without any regard for what was there.

 

Over a year ago I had shocks on the rear replaced and the dealer said it was fine the way it was.

 

I'm not saying they should repair everything free of charge but come on ... one shop had no problem wirking around it and I drove around with it for over a year and now this is what happens... I was better off with a leaky gas tank because now the car is not even drivable at all.

 

Also I'm at a loss as to how I can replace this since the part is no longer a shelf item.

[Brian P]

I'm sorry but you think someone else should pay for and install a part you knew was breaking and could break any time?

 

 

It's called being a scam artist, and I deal with it every day I work at my job. Think "I had an oil change done, now my sunroof leaks"

 

But on another note, why would the shop mess with the rear suspension to do a gas tank?

[Stevo]

Because there are 2 strap bolts that are difficult to get at near the suspension... no doubt they loosened up that part without the proper tools to hold the monoleaf in suspension and then just tightened everything back up without making sure of clearances.

 

Christ I love how everyone is saying I'm trying to scam the shop. Bottom line is ... the car was worked on numerous times in the rear end including ACTUAL suspension work and the monoleaf didnt end up sitting on the top of the trailing arm everytime. These guys took some shortcut and finished it off real good.

 

It's called being a scam artist, and I deal with it every day I work at my job. Think "I had an oil change done, now my sunroof leaks"

 

But on another note, why would the shop mess with the rear suspension to do a gas tank?

 

Sorry Brian ... I thought you knew at least SOMETHING about cars to know where the gas tank straps are.

 

I also take into count the numerous times I have taken my vehicle into a shop in a jam to get something fixed and the shop breaks something else in the process.

 

- Like the bearing that was bad and replaced but it was the wrong side.

- Or the bearing that finally got replaced but dispite written and oral instructions to install longer lugs ... was not installed. When I told the shop they did'nt follow my instructions the shop replaced the lugs by hammering them out (replete with hammering marks on lugs and bearing - bearing died 7months later),

- The front brake line damaged when the proper bearing was being installed (walked into the shop to see my goddamn front caliper HANGING by the line - line needed to be replaced the following inspection date)

- The towtruck that dropped my SL off the hoist when it was towed.

- Plastic cowling parts missing from the front of International when the hood latch was replaced.

- So called electrical fix by dealer that went again a week later only for me to tear apart the affected area and find the blatantly obvious problem that wasnt fixed to begin with.

- Powersteering return line that was hand tightened (fun especially when I lose the whole resovoir on the way to work).

- Being charged $125 for a splitter pipe for factory mufflers and then being charged for 2 8" or pipe to 2 new mufflers that were welded on at awkward angles (perhaps the worst muffler install I have had the displeasure of witnessing)

- Having a shop replace my leaking transmission only to not FIX the issue. When I went back to the shop to get them to recheck the work the OWNER told me to fuck off and fix the oil leak first (it was leaking oil when I first took it in, they sure didnt tell me to fuck off then) I got one of the shop guys to brake clean in the area and he tightened up hose clamps (I then noticed the leak and fixed the damn thing myself)

 

Guess people here are not reading my posts through.

 

- these guys installed a tank and didnt ensure the gauge worked (drive accross the street and put $10 in and charge me the $10.

- an obvious issue with a suspension part that was carelessly ignored during install. (yes I am not putting 100% blame on them, I knew it was damaged but if 3 other shops can put my car on a hoist and 1 even disconnect the affected area with no issue then why not these guys 'who also do suspension work')

 

I wish I had a pic of it before it was toast so that people could see the difference. A difference of layer separation along a 2" of fibreglass where the whole part rested on a resin block with the car's weight on it verses the end of the monoleaf rammed into the trailing arm and shattered. I drove this thing the same way I always have and it looks like I was jumping over a bridge Dukes of Hazzard style.

[19902drlumina]

id get em to fix the gass gauge problem and also labor for the spring. since it was needed one anyway. or just get a new mono leaf and put it in ureself and dont even worry about it any longer.

[Brian P]

Because there are 2 strap bolts that are difficult to get at near the suspension... no doubt they loosened up that part without the proper tools to hold the monoleaf in suspension and then just tightened everything back up without making sure of clearances.

 

Christ I love how everyone is saying I'm trying to scam the shop. Bottom line is ... the car was worked on numerous times in the rear end including ACTUAL suspension work and the monoleaf didnt end up sitting on the top of the trailing arm everytime. These guys took some shortcut and finished it off real good.

 

It's called being a scam artist, and I deal with it every day I work at my job. Think "I had an oil change done, now my sunroof leaks"

 

But on another note, why would the shop mess with the rear suspension to do a gas tank?

 

Sorry Brian ... I thought you knew at least SOMETHING about cars to know where the gas tank straps are.

 

I also take into count the numerous times I have taken my vehicle into a shop in a jam to get something fixed and the shop breaks something else in the process.

 

- Like the bearing that was bad and replaced but it was the wrong side.

- Or the bearing that finally got replaced but dispite written and oral instructions to install longer

 

eh too long to read but before I do:

I never said you scammed them, but that's what I call people that do what turby described (why I quoted him) I should have worded that differently.

 

 

I've also dropped W-car tanks among others, and replaced W-car tank straps without messing with the suspension (pain in the ass but the right tools do it) I've worked in the service business long enough to know that many people think they have a magical warranty which if anything breaks on a car, it's someone elses fault, particularly the last person who touched it. So keep that in mind if you go to the shop and have to fight a lot to get anywhere.

[Stevo]

keep that in mind if you go to the shop and have to fight a lot to get anywhere.

 

Yeah don't I know it.

 

I'm willing to pay for a replacement monoleaf part but I have to say I'll be damned if I'm gonna pay for installation.

 

I need to know what car I can get the exact leaf from to match suspension (I know a yard is my only salvation on this one).

[Brian P]

If you want to match the spring-code that's stamped on the monoleaf then you can potentially find it on any W-body. If you find one from a FE3 car or more common would be a FE7 car would have a spring that will work well (FE7 is all '95-97 Cutlass Supremes and some Grand Prixs 94-96, coupes or sedans) I'd say you're guaranteed the proper ride height and handling with a '95-97 C/S spring

[Stevo]

I local parts place has 1 and its 'remanufactured' for $300?

 

Wtf is the good of that???

 

A spring thats had whatever many miles on it and then they slap another coat of resin on it?

[patgizz]

have them fix the gauge. the float probably fell off or something.

 

the spring is all on you. you know it was broken, stop blaming them.

[Schurkey]

have them fix the gauge. the float probably fell off or something.

 

the spring is all on you. you know it was broken, stop blaming them.

 

DING! DING! DING! We have a WINNER!

[Crazy K]

...(FE7 is all '95-97 Cutlass Supremes and some Grand Prixs 94-96, coupes or sedans) I'd say you're guaranteed the proper ride height and handling with a '95-97 C/S spring

My 95 CS sedan says fe1 on the SPID, but it has sway bars... I need to reread it and have no way of verifying it right now I'm on the road.

 

in anycase... I swapped the entire rear 'axle' assembly between two gen 1 W's..

the bad one was rusty, had bent stabilizer links, a cracked spring, and leaking shocks.

the donor unit, from my totaled 91 euro.. has the original shocks in good condition!!!!!! with 225,000 miles currently!!!!!!!!!!

 

but a spring should not be that hard to salvage yourself and change.

 

remanufactured spring... wtf? go somewhere else!!!

you want to inspect the donor for good ride height anyhow!

 

[Stevo]

FACK! .... I just remembered I saw a 91 CS International Sedan in a local junk yard with the wheels still on it which could mean the spring is in there (condition is a mystery)

 

What should I pay for it if a new one from a dealer is $750 and a 'remanufactured' one is $300?

 

The only thing about THIS yard is the people that run in except for ONE guy are all assholes to deal with ... The ONE owner I havenot seen around for a long time sold me a mint trunklid for my 88' a while for next to nothing. Everyone else has a book that seems to appreciate parts in that yard.[br]Posted on: April 13, 2006, 08:20:17 AM_________________________________________________Ok so far 2 yards have a monoleaf ... 1 has several that 'range' in price from $75-$100 and the other has one with some rubber wear which is $150.

 

All the yards tell me it does'nt matter what car it is the leaf's are all the same. My only source for parts checks is gmpartsdirect.com which lists 2 monoleafs and I'm pretty much in the dark on ths subject myself because I havent really had to replace this before.

 

So are these guys really telling the truth about 1 single monoleaf for all or what?

[White93z34]

i personally woulden't pay more then $50 for a good condition monoleaf thats used. and they are not exactly hard to install either with the proper tool.

 

as far as your existing one is concerned, its all on you. you knew it was bad.

 

and as far as service screw ups, my saying is: if you want it done right, do it yourself. the few things i've had to take my car to the shop for have been screwed up each time without fail. my alignment that still pulls to the right, the lugnuts that were never tightened fully, the girl who tried to jack my car up by the rocker pannel.

[Stevo]

I just had it installed today and it took the dealer 3 hours to install it with all the 'proper tools' and a hoist.

[ns87]

the girl who tried to jack my car up by the rocker pannel.

 

Amen, that happened to my car is its past lifetime

[luminal67]

damn, sounds like you need to find a better shop to work on your car, if they fuck your car up thaat much.