The $10 Harbor Freight Tool That Can Save You From a $1,000 Scam

The only time that someone actually tried a scam of this magnitude on myself was when my girlfriend's jeep had a rocker arm come off the spring and I asked them to go ahead and change the oil too. They then claimed that the engine was so bad and needed to be replaced since the oil wouldn't drain out from the oil pan. I told them to stick a screwdriver up into the hole if they had to. Idiots didn't even change the oil but just added more oil to it. I changed it just fine myself, but the guy was insistent that the engine was going to blow at any moment. Six years later the damn thing is still on the road! Always find a mechanic that you can actually trust because they are the ones that are worth gold.

That's nothing new, you have been lucky have one service your vehicle, sad part was service writer went along with it.... you mention to service manager or dealer GM, that's when you realize it isn't OK with any of them and the flatrater will be bounced out on his backside.....

This is a flawed story looking to capitalize on over generalized stereotypes. The "clipboard" guys are the Service Advisor who only reports to you what the Technician (also commonly but incorrectly referred to as the mechanic) finds and reports on when doing the actual work.

Service Advisors write you up, handle customer interactions and sell jobs. Outside of airing up tires from time to time or plugging in a quick scanner, they don't work on cars one bit. At least at any franchise dealership.

A new crew of Service Advisors is possible, but not the unknown factor here is the Technician who may or may not have intentionally assessed the pads being too worn. This is the most probable thing, assuming that you did a proper inspection of your pads with HF tools than he was able to do while the vehicle was on a lift.

Second to lastly, it's generally good practice to replace the rotor, or at the minimum resurface them, when replacing pads. You mentioned the rotors appeared to be WORN but within specs (not sure how you measured that... I didn't see any mention of a micrometer) but a resurface could remove a good amount of material, so your own assessment of them being worn may indicate the tech didn't think there was enough material to still be in spec after resurfacing. Or it could be the tech's default move to go straight to suggesting full rotor replacement. That would also save the labor of the resurfacing since that takes a good amount of time to do, makes the rotor more prone to future warping, etc. Too little data here to make a full analysis on that.

Lastly, something you're probably not aware of, but shops are legally required to give you the old parts after a repair. So assuming they do this (most do...), you would have had a perfect opportunity to inspect those 2 or 4mm pads in your hands, while not stuck inside calipers, upsidedown under your car using a flashlight and HF tools to which you would have been fully able to hold the shop accountable to their repair.

Next time this happens while you're at the dealership, ask your questions, ask to see the brakes while it's on the lift or see a picture if their insurance doesn't allow customers to stand under a car while it's up in the air. Like you said... It's not rocket science.

I can relate to having my car misdiagnosed. I took my minivan in estimate the cost to repair a power steering leak. They told me the steering rack needed to be replaced because the seals were bad. Together with that the tie rod ends would have to be replaced and then a front end alignment performed. Estimated cost was almost $2,000. I chose to order my own steering rack had a cost of $150 and took it to a mechanic I know for a placement. When the mechanics inspected the repair needed he found the only thing wrong was a rusted fluid line that only cost $35 so I ended up returning the steering rack for credit.

It's typically express techs that do those inspections, ie very new non certified techs, sometimes with no prior experience; they make mistakes sometimes. If it was a tech that came to talk to you it sounds like you weren't actually at a dealership, I've never known a dealership to send a tech to speak with a customer (unless they specifically request it) because they have a specific position for that usually called service advisor or service consultant. I do a lot of traveling and have been to many different dealerships for service.

Also at dealerships if you ask to be shown something, they'll usually escort you back to your car so you can see for yourself. I have yet to be turned down when I've asked. Locally, I have two techs that I trust, one at a dealership, one at a very small mom and pop.

Doesn't really matter where you go, there are trustworthy people and bad apples.

Yep, I'll just pull it in to my bay and lift with the hydraulic car lift and whip off those tires!

This is why my shop performs digital inspections with photos and videos. To many shops take advantage of customers lack of knowledge. I send photos with explanation and let them know we will perform an inspection in front of them. If the pads are 3 millimeters we can prove it.

Stealerships just can't help themselves. Then they wonder why almost nobody wants to come back after the warranty period is over.

Recently went through an experience regarding brakes, being told by a chain tire
shop that I needed front pads and an on-the-vehicle (?) rotors turned. Cost: $600.

There had been a noise from the front during braking that didn’t sound good.

Didn’t trust the company/diagnosis so got some best rated pads and put them on
myself for a total of $68.00. My diagnosis of the brake noise was that the outer edge of the rotors were a little high from wear and the pads, under braking, would touch the outer edge and cause the noise. I really didn’t even need new pads but as long as everything was apart, installed them. Should be good for another 50k + miles.

My vehicle is a 2012 Toyota RAV4. Note to Toyota – put wear sensors on your brake pads so it’s not a guessing game as to when to replace them.