Dodgy Citroen specialist?

xants in me pants · Post by **xants in me pants** » 28 Jan 2011, 19:27

Hello all,

I just brought my 97 xantia for its mot, which it failed due to:

offside front (caliper bolt) Brake caliper(s) securing device loose [3.5.1i] **DANGEROUS**

Funny thing is I had the front discs and pads replaced by a "citroen specialist"
on wednesday this week, does this bolt need to be loosened to do the discs and pads? i.e Should they sort this out for me free of charge?
No other problems beside this so am cheesed off considering I nearly did the job my self (and now wish I had) except for the missis keep asking if I was sure I could do it... Never did brakes before and she knows.

Thanks for any help in advance.

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 28 Jan 2011, 19:51

great forum iD too!

Have you seen a doctor about that condition?

I'd say get the car on high, swing the wheel on lock and check with a
mirror if needs be to determine whether your eagle eyed Mr MOTman
has found the small pin and smaller "R" clip are secured properly on the
caliper.

To get the pads out the caliper is swung upwards from the base of the hub
and it's only a simple pin that holds it in place and this just drives out.
If greased it could even move unintentionally if the "R" pin clip isn't
secured properly or even fitted at all!

It'd be worth a gander first before petrol bombing the local Cit Specialist...

Andrew

xants in me pants · Post by **xants in me pants** » 28 Jan 2011, 20:16

thanks for that andmcit,

I've got some cream for said condition but it only makes it worse!

I'll have a look at the pin and r clip in the morning, but I'll keep those petrol bombs on standby.
I should have probably mentioned that the o/s outer cv boot was replaced as well, thinking still that citro specialist should have at least noticed even if not responsible

Post by **myglaren** » 28 Jan 2011, 20:38

xants in me pants wrote:thanks for that andmcit,

I've got some cream for said condition but it only makes it worse!

You're not supposed to use whipping cream
:dom:

handyman · Post by **handyman** » 29 Jan 2011, 00:10

Care to divulge who was the offending 'Citroen Specialist' as there are a few cowboys masquerading as competent 'mekanicks'? There ain't a lot of them in Sussex.

H

Pleiades · Post by **Pleiades** » 29 Jan 2011, 00:33

Rather than use the petrol bomb method, you would be best off going and having a low level chat with the owner or manager.

I only say this as if it was one of my guys or myself that left it loose, I would want to know and apologise, also put the bits back into good safe working order and maybe then a slap for the person concerned, then finally work out a way to ensure that it never happens again.

Most garage folks are human and can make mistakes, especially if disturbed by the phone etc. But most will want to know and apologise.

If the low level chat ends up with you being given the two finger salute, then off with the petrol bombs!!

Regards
Martin.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 29 Jan 2011, 08:34

i fully agree with Martin and no it wernt me,

also to fit disc's and pads you do need to unbolt the calliper carrier,

these bolts should also be lock tighted on refitting,

were abouts in Sussex are you,

regards malcolm

Post by **myglaren** » 29 Jan 2011, 08:58

Excellent response Martin and Malcolm.
Clearly the reason you guys enjoy such an good reputation.

As you say, any decent garage will accept that mistakes happen and be only too willing to apologise and rectify the problem.

No one likes criticism but most of us will accept our failings and attempt to minimise the problem and ensure that it is avoided in the future.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 29 Jan 2011, 12:56

trouble is one man band's like myself have to deal with customers, answer the phone, order and chase up parts, run customers to and throw (or is that frow) and do all the other orafice work,

never mind spoz its all self inflickted

regards malcolm

ps.

forgot the most inportant one make your own TEA

handyman · Post by **handyman** » 29 Jan 2011, 13:28

Yes, I can vouch for that, Malc do make a luverly cup of tea.

Worth going to see him just for that!

Handyman

flying clutchman · Post by **flying clutchman** » 30 Jan 2011, 00:26

citronut wrote:trouble is one man band's like myself have to deal with customers, answer the phone, order and chase up parts, run customers to and throw (or is that frow) and do all the other orafice work,

never mind spoz its all self inflickted

regards malcolm

ps.

forgot the most inportant one make your own TEA

It's fro.

Post by **Rhothgar** » 30 Jan 2011, 20:21

I agree. Businesses need to made aware of mistakes to improve service.

However, a couple of points here.

1) Even pointing out something like this may not necessarily ensure that the garage accept responsibility for their mistake. I believe the majority would try to deny this was their fault.

Recently a friend of mine had their MOT on a VW Golf R plate. They
spent £1200 on servicing and MOT which for a car in their condition was outrageous. It is like new.

One of the items was a headlight bulb which required replacing.

After a certain number of days, it had gone again and they took it back to complain. Bulb replaced and it blew again. Replaced and blew again. This, I understand, happened several times.

Finally, the VW dealer said it was because the headlamp was a non-genuine part. HOW is a bulb repeatedly blowing linked to the fact it is fitted with a pattern part? The answer as we all know is - IT IS NOT!

2) The disturbing point about the OP's posting is what situation would he be in had his MOT been 10 days earlier with a PASS result. He'd be driving around with a defective set of brakes! Worrying to say the least.

Luckily this was not the case - thankfully!