Improper repair caused collision?

[whsa]

We had our car mot'd by a national service centre a few weeks ago, the brake pads and discs needed to be replaced.

 

A few weeks later, under hard braking, the car wouldn't stop as quickly as it would have before the work and crashed into a fence (luckily it was on private land) though it has damaged the wheels, bumper and scratched the bodywork.

 

We noticed patches on the driveway which have turned out to be brake fluid and we've taken it to a different service centre to have the brakes looked at, turns out a nut wasn't tightened properly and the braking system was leaking fluid, which could have been a factor in the crash.

 

I don't quite know how to go about approaching the service centre about this, I feel they have some responsibility regarding the crash and in any case, their work, which we paid several hundred pounds for, was not up to standard.

 

Anyone have any ideas?

[Conniff]

If you paid "several hundred pounds" for disc and pad change, first ask the center that done the work for a detailed report of parts and labour costs and the work carried out.

 

Replacing an engine doesn't cost serveral hundred pounds.

[patdavies]

If you paid "several hundred pounds" for disc and pad change, first ask the center that done the work for a detailed report of parts and labour costs and the work carried out.

 

Replacing an engine doesn't cost serveral hundred pounds.

 

I have a quote for replacement of front pads and discs on my Jeep from the main dealer and it's £ 326 + VAT.

 

Presumably to do the rears as well, would be similar; so several hundred pounds is easily reached.

 

An acquaintance with a Mercedes C-class paid over £700 +VAT for his brake disks and pads.

 

BTW, a quote for replacing the engine on the Jeep was £ 4,500 + VAT. Luckily, I had only had the car 5 days, so the dealer got stuck with the cost of replacement.

[Conniff]

For rich and posh Pat.

 

It could be that the size and fitment and the number of vehicles on the road has an effect on the price.

As Jeep are a bit sparce on the road in the UK, ie millions of Ford Escorts, then you will probably only get parts to fit from the dealer.

It would not be worthwhile for companies such as Lucas or Lockhead to make parts that sell in very limited quantity.

[whsa]

Hi Conniff and pat,

 

The front and rear discs and pads were replaced and came to around £300, plus the front suspension arms and rear bushs were replaced, it was around £600 total.

 

I think the quote was reasonably fair considering the scope of the work, my problem is with the brakes leaking and not working!

[Conniff]

Hi whsa

 

Ok, if it's the fluid leak then you need to find out exactly where that leak is. It could be a coincidental leak and nothing to do with the work carried out.

[whsa]

From what I understand when Kwik fit did a brake check, I believe the leak was from the nut that connects the flexible hose with the brake pipe. The nut wasn't tight, so fluid was leaking out under braking.

 

Kwik fit did not do the original repair and are in no way responsible for the problems.

[Conniff]

I can't really see a connection with changing discs and pads and the leak from the flexi and the bundy pipe joint. This should not have been loosened or removed as part of the change.

 

Also you should have been made aware that new pads require 'running in' and they wont give full efficiency until they are.

My personal feeling (without an engineers inspection and report) are that unless the fluid leak was great enough to allow a fair amount of fluid out through this leaking joint then any pedal pressure would allow the pedal to go to the floor (so giving forwarning) and not push the pistons.

If that was the case, then the leak would have been great enough to empty the system so braking was lost completely.

 

I think you will have a hard time proving your case, and I believe the onus is on you to prove and not the garage to disprove.

 

You can get free first consultation with solicitors, take them up on the offer and see what they have to say.

[whsa]

Thanks for your advice conniff.

 

The pedal did drop to the floor when I braked hard, but not during normal driving. When I had it in Kwik Fit, the fluid was spurting out when it was pressed hard.

[Conniff]

You must get a detailed report of the work carried out to assertain if they did indeed have to part this joint to work on the suspension. You could explain your story to a 'small' local garage and ask him if he thought they would part this joint or did they have to remove it to change it to your new suspension parts.

 

Whsa what make / model and year is it ? I will be able to have a better idea if I know the car personally.

[patdavies]

The only reason that I can think of as to why this joint would be disturbed is if the brake calliper was removed to work on the suspension (or perhaps free off sticky pistons in the calliper).

 

In either case, the brakes would have required bleeding afterwards and if the joint was in the state that it was spurting fluid, I can't see how this can have been done as they would never have got a 'firm' pedal.

[maxitrol]

You Don't Need To Take Of Any Brake Pipes Or Loosen Them To Change Discs & Parts Or To Do Suspension Work But If You Had A Piston Sticking In The Caliper & It Was Removed To Free It Of Then You Might Ave A Case

[patdavies]

You Don't Need To Take Of Any Brake Pipes Or Loosen Them To Change Discs & Parts Or To Do Suspension Work But If You Had A Piston Sticking In The Caliper & It Was Removed To Free It Of Then You Might Ave A Case

 

Depends on the vehicle. In order to change the discs, the calliper will meed to be removed and this may entail disconnecting the brake pipes.

 

Also, it is not at all uncommon for brake pipes to have to be removed to allow removal of suspension parts.