NunchukHamster Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 I had four new tyres fitted to the Passat on Tuesday last week by a well known national fitting group. Car did about 100 miles on the Wednesday, all ok. Left home on the Thursday at 0300 for a trip to Paris via the tunnel. Everything seemed fine, perhaps a little bit noisy on some road surfaces, but figured this may just be me being over sensitive to new tread patterns, or just imagining things! However, when I slowed down going through the car park at the Folkestone terminal distinct knocking noise from front passenger corner. Got stopped, had a good look, thinking maybe I'd collected a puncture, engine mount loose, suspension issue, but couldn't find anything. After discussions amongst the three of us, we decided to load the car on the train and give it a couple of miles over the other side of the channel. As soon as we started moving on the other side, continuous knocking noise and vibration from the same corner. Parked up, had another good look, still nothing. So I rang the AA and got put through to European who gave me the address of a local Calais garage open 24hrs that they use. 10 minutes later 4 puzzled looking French mechanics with torches checking for source of noise. But no joy. Then they jack that corner of the car up, and one of them touches the wheel. Which wobbles. A LOT. The bolts for that wheel hadn't been torqued up, only finger tightened, demonstrated by the mechanic taking them off by hand with only a couple of twists each. I don't know how much further we would of gone without the whole lot coming off at speed on a motorway, we were bloody lucky. I got the garage to write me out a receipt etc. for the problem so have evidence. And the tyre bill has the name of the fitter and the person who suppossedly double-checked the work. Where do you think I should go with this? Cheers gang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Take them to the cleaners, that is the ultimate in tyre fitting errors. Aside from putting tyres on in reverse, which seems to happen occasionally. I would suggest you ask for a full suspension, steering and brake performance test. The wobbly wheel could have damaged drive shaft, steering geometry, suspension, the tyre and there is the trifling issue of you doing motorway speeds in a dangerous, unroadworthy car. FFS it could have caused a FATACC Look at full investigation, remedial work, a new tyre and a £1000 in vouchers. If they get silly, trading standards with the evidence collected in France. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I had four new tyres fitted to the Passat on Tuesday last week by a well known national fitting group. Car did about 100 miles on the Wednesday, all ok. Left home on the Thursday at 0300 for a trip to Paris via the tunnel. Everything seemed fine, perhaps a little bit noisy on some road surfaces, but figured this may just be me being over sensitive to new tread patterns, or just imagining things! However, when I slowed down going through the car park at the Folkestone terminal distinct knocking noise from front passenger corner. Got stopped, had a good look, thinking maybe I'd collected a puncture, engine mount loose, suspension issue, but couldn't find anything. After discussions amongst the three of us, we decided to load the car on the train and give it a couple of miles over the other side of the channel. As soon as we started moving on the other side, continuous knocking noise and vibration from the same corner. Parked up, had another good look, still nothing. So I rang the AA and got put through to European who gave me the address of a local Calais garage open 24hrs that they use. 10 minutes later 4 puzzled looking French mechanics with torches checking for source of noise. But no joy. Then they jack that corner of the car up, and one of them touches the wheel. Which wobbles. A LOT. The bolts for that wheel hadn't been torqued up, only finger tightened, demonstrated by the mechanic taking them off by hand with only a couple of twists each. I don't know how much further we would of gone without the whole lot coming off at speed on a motorway, we were bloody lucky. I got the garage to write me out a receipt etc. for the problem so have evidence. And the tyre bill has the name of the fitter and the person who suppossedly double-checked the work. Where do you think I should go with this? Cheers gang. [/ QUOTE ] Could have killed you. Trading standards, plus a good solicitor would be a good place to start. They are supposed to fasten the bolts with an airtool, and also a torque wrench afterwards, so there were 2 errors. Don't be bought off, teach them a lesson ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 I always take loose wheels to the tyre fitters - at least I then know that the wheels have been put back on the car correctly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Confront their head-office with your written evidence and at the very least demand some kind of refund / compensation. A (to remain nameless) Porsche Centre put a pzero the wrong way round on the rear of one of my Boxster's a couple of years ago. The evidence was obviously fairly clear to see, they collected it, refunded the cost of that tyre and gave me my next service for free. Moral is always (if you can) watch them when they're tightening up the wheels and always do a walk round to check the tyre's are on the correct way round if they're directional! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 As everyone else says, do NOT let them get away with this! Most TSN'ers are car savvy enough to stop and check, like you did, but some old lady may not realise what is happening and continue to drive I have a torque wrench at home and I always check to the nm of each bolt after any fitting has occured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NunchukHamster Posted May 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Car is going to a different branch tomorrow morning for inspection, and check for anything that needs replacing, including the rim itself as apparently the bolt holes can be stretched out of shape if an alloy is not on tight. Already up to area operations manager who has arranged this and then asked the question "what can we do for YOU Mr Ross". I told him I'd speak with him again tomorrow after the inspection. They seem to be taking it very seriously, already asked for a copy of the French paperwork so that they have no arguments with the fitter and supervisor involved when they deal with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NunchukHamster Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Ok, the saga continues. Vehcile inspected yesterday by two separate garages, no detectable damage. The Area Manager finally got around to calling me this morning. He seemed very proud to inform me that the fitter is being dismissed over this, but then made me laugh when he came up with his compensation offer to me. £70. What the tyre and fitting for that one corner cost. Shall we say, less than impressed? I considered getting shirty for a moment, but then stopped myself. I have not signed or stated that I accept this as full and final settlement for the matter. I feel my motor insurance legal assistance itching to be used for the first time ever, as I can't see any better admission of guilt by the muppets involved than sacking someone and refunding the cost! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Err... hang on a moment! All you are entitled to, legally, and what a court would award you, is recovery of any expenses you incurred as a result of this mistake, plus an element for distress and inconvenience. If you can prove that this amounts to more than £70, then go ahead - otherwise, with the offer on the table, a court would throw this out (and award costs against you). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NunchukHamster Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Well, starting with the 3 hours of our holiday wasted in Calais whilst getting it fixed, the two hours yesterday whilst having the car inspected, my wife's severe asthma attack bought on by panic at the French garage when she realised what nearly happened, the 8 or 9 phone calls, we're well past the £70. I also believe that by failing to complete the work correctly they have broken contract law/ supply of goods and services act. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Okay, I suggest that you write to the manager of the tyre depot, rejecting his offer of £70, and giving the reasons, as stated above, why you feel you should be enititled to more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NunchukHamster Posted May 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 Will do peterb. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 Your unlikely to get far with this. Most Tyre places have a disclaimer on their receipts, suggesting you check your wheel nuts after ** miles (thought tbh, only a legal eagle would know if it was strictly legit.) OR, they offer a free check, ** miles afterwards probably a clever get out ploy, as people are unlikely to take them up on this second check. So I should thing somewhere along the way they have covered themselves. Have you checked the small print? my own receipt for example (from a UK wide tyre franchise) [ QUOTE ] Please Note: We recommend the following services listed below, which are available free of charge, at all our group centres: Check wheel nut torque settings after 25 miles of wheels being removed. check wheel alignment settings after 500 miles of any adjustment. [/ QUOTE ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djcool Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 Wasn't Just Tyres by any chance was it? Had a number of bad experiences with them, the last being doing my bi-annual changeover from winter to summer tyres they ripped the tyres off with some type of wrench which left my expensive Pirelli summer tyres unusable. Unfortunately I didn't spot this at the time, and as I have no reciept (cash in hand job) I cannot prove it. However I now travel 40 miles to my trusted garage no matter if its a small job like changing two tyres or something much bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 One thing worries me about this episode - how you managed to drive for so long once the noise had started and it was clear that there was something not quite right. As soon as I detect any wheel/suspension-type noises, the first thing I will do is to grab the upper surface of the tyre (through the wheel arch) and shake it, as hard as I can, in and out. This might not show up all faults, but it will certainly give a very clear indication of excessive play in the bearings and a loose wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobes49 Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 You sure it wasn't someone trying to steal the wheels (cause they had new tyres) then got disturbed, leaving a couple of wheel bolts loose. Seems like a lot of miles before the wheel came loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I had this once with an exhaust. It took 100 miles before the bolts came lose and finally fell off, taking the manifold with it. Very dangerous IMO. It's not acceptable, period, disclaimer or not. I'd go back with a figure mate, rather than playing bat and ball with them for what could be months. If you want say, £300, tell them, say it's to cover the costs of the additional accomodation, food etc and stress. At least that way they have a figure to work from. As for the guy they sacked, a good mechanic is normally given the benefit of oversight. So TBH he must have made a few errors before (at least 2) or he must have just been and they knew it! Either way, not good, hope you get a result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NunchukHamster Posted May 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 It takes a while for the bolts to work loose apparently, especially as 95% of the miles were motorway. Town driving, lots of turns, roundabouts etc. causes it to happen much more quickly. The noise was only apparent at low speed (I guess to do with centrifugal force holding the wheel in place at speed as much as the bolts), hence not obvious until reaching the car park at Folkestone. The car was only left outside my own front door, with me inside the house. And, as any caller to my house will tell you, it is impossible to get anywhere near my house/car without disturbing the dogs. They act as night & day security for the whole cul-de-sac. To the point that the local students don't even try and cut through anymore on returning from the pub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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