Clutch rip off (long post)

[j_mat_j]

I booked my car in 10 days ago for a new clutch, the garage called me half way to say the clutch fork, drive shaft seal and nose cone needs replaceing. I gave a go ahead and trusted his word.

15 minutes later, the garage calls me again to ask me to come down to show me my input shaft is no good and advice me for a gearbox repair, so I went and see for myself, the garage says the gearbox fault may cause input shaft oil seal to fail and gearbox oil leak. I decide not to repair the gearbox and instruct the garage to carry on the new clutch, fork, nose cone and driveshafe seal. I asked the garage to keep all my old parts, then I left the car to them overnight.

 

I collect my car on the next day, after I paid, no sign of old parts, so I ask the guy, than he went in and took a clutch fork and a nose cone out only. so where is the clutch? he claimed that he has to return it to somewhere? I know something was not right, but what can i do and the most stupid thing is I paid before inspection. I go back to my car, the clutch is the same as before, but I left anyway as im late for work, and try to work out a come back.

 

I called the garage about 30mins later to ask them to keep my clutch regardless, I will collect it tommorro. the guy sound a bit unsure but told me he will ring me back later when he found the clutch, he managed got me off the phone.

 

no phone calls from the garage as expected, so I called them on next day, to my supprise, they have my clutch and said I can come to collect it.

 

I brought a Haynes repair Manual with me, which stated my clutch is 230mm in diameter. I went in the garage, another guy brings me an old clutch, he said they have to charge me to take it away, he just keeps on distracting me by talking, but what i did was say nothing, I pulled a tape measure out from nowhere and measure that clutch plate and told him this is not my clutch, and ask him where is my clutch, another guy stepped in, then told me my clutch has been collected by the scrap metals, he then trys to blame another guy for it, and when i was about to leave, I saw 3 boxes full of old clutch laying about by their roller door, surly if they did change mine, my old clutch must be there!! very clearly these guys knows full well they were laying, I felt so powerless and just wanted all my money back, but I went blank at that time and left.

 

I dont know if i should name them, but it is a clutch fitter franchise with a green logo.

 

I have took my car to other garages to check my clutch without telling them I just had a new clutch in, I avoid telling them what I think about the clutch myself either to avoid potential influence, I just say I want to check it anyway as precaution because I brought the car not long ago. All garages said the clutch is very high and needs replacing, some garages take it for a drive and report back it slips on third gear. I even took it to one other branch of theirs and the guy report back my clutch is total burnt out.

 

I also made calls to all their branches and head office to query their policy on keeping customer's old clutch, most of them (includes head office) said they have no policy to keep customers old clutch, and they seemed rather to let the customers to take the old part than costing them for disposal.

 

All phone calls queries and clutch tests were secretly recorded by vidoe camara,

I am about to make a formal complaint to the headoffice. However, if any of you guys likes to give me some ideas or spot anything else I should do, please advise me.

 

I havent directly spoken to the branch who did my clutch yet, I want to make sure I have enough back up this time before I confront with them.

 

any ideas and precautions, please advice.

Edited April 5, 2009 by j_mat_j

[raydetinu]

Have a close look at receipt or invoice to confirm wahat you have actaully paid for. You will need to the RAC or AA or independant engineer to report that the clutch has not been changed, some sort of positive proof to put to them for a refund or to start any sort of legal case.

[LancerQRL]

some manufacturers do have old clutches back on a exchange system, with a financial surcharge attached. what type of vehicle is it?

[j_mat_j]

It is a Peugeot 307 HDI, Im awared the exchange system does exist, however, nobody mention this to me at the time I ask my old parts back, in fact, they never explain very clearly what exactly was the reason they want to keep it. Besides, if they want to charge me for it, they can at least tell me, NOT just give me any old clutch in the hope that I know nothing at all.

 

Its quite clear to me that the garage decide to use my faulty input shaft as an excuse for a potential near future leak, from this point on, they are no longer have anything to do with the slipping. However, the clutch is way too high and the biting point is right at the top.

 

And if you think about it, you can prove/show a slipping easily and clearly. But for biting point, only the person who sit on the driver seat knows how high/low, and the height can be arguably inaccurate and varies on a person's perception, since they are the Mechanics, I am not, they can disapprove me easily.

At the end of the day, I asked them for a new clutch, and if it does slip because of the oil contamination, lets be it, but I should expect a low biting point, right??

 

To prove them wrong, I have to take the gearbox out, the problem is, by who and who is going to pay for it, it just wasting my time and waste MY money, and should I keep using my car?

 

I am 100% convinced they just put my old clutch back on, if not, I am 200% convinced the work they did by all definition, below standard, and I deserve a refund!

 

I am getting very grumpy these days, I think these kind of people does not deserve a job at all!! and I don't even want them in the jail, cos I don't want to pay a penny of my tax towards them.

Edited April 6, 2009 by j_mat_j

[Conniff]

If you really are certain that the old clutch is still in place, then any costs of removing the gearbox to check will be refundable. You will, of course, have to pay the inspection fee first.

[Hammy1962]

Hi

 

OMG a Haynes Manual

 

More fiction than fact I'm afraid, if this measurment is the only basis for your complaint, then I would think long and hard about continuing with it.

 

Hammy

[j_mat_j]

I agreed the Haynes manaul is not the best back up, but it was only part of the finding to confirm the diameter. Three UK clutch manufacturers (new and re-manufacture) and Peugeot also confirmed that the diameter of my clutch is 230mm. The measure is to confirmed the old clutch they gave me was not mine when they claimed it was, to proof them wrong so I can question their dishonesty. I believe the true purpose for them to lie was they were in the hope I would believe they changed the clutch, and from there onward, they can use 'faulty gearbox' as an excuse to refuse any future complaints(i.e. slipping), or charge me further if I ever fall for them and keep going back to them for further repairs in the future.

[royal-marine]

mate i have a friend of a friend who worked for the same (i suspect) green and yellow logo'd clutch fitting franchise who told me they regularly, rub grease onto a random engine part, ask the unwitting customer to come and have a look at the affected part, then if the unfortunate individual hasnt the experience or the knowledge to smell a [problem] they tell them its knackered usually with some feigned sympathy, then tell them they have the part in stock and can fix it for a reduced fee. they then would simply clean the area, go have a coffee and a smoke and charge the owner a few hundred quid.

 

never ever ever ever use franchise except maybe for tires. always use specialist garages.