Two garages, both alike in dignity...

[oakenguy]

I just don't know.

Here's the story: about a month ago, my brakes were squeaking. I chose a garage at random. They took a look, told me the brake pads had worn down so far there was damage to the rotors, replaced the brakes. Pricey.

A couple of weeks after that, we began to hear a strange knocking sound from underneath the front seat area. It went away whenever I took my foot off the accelerator, so at first I thought it might be some bad ultra-cheap gasoline. But several tanks of gas later it was still there, so we went to a (different) garage.

They took a look and said that the new brake rotor was faulty, maybe the brake caliper, too. They said that while they could replace the parts, we'd be better off going to the first garage and using our warranty to get them to fix the mistake for free.

So we do this...and the first garage claims it's not the brake rotor at all, it's the right front axle. Which they'd be happy to replace for a couple hundred dollars.

Somebody's wrong. But who? Which garage do I entrust Ganesha to?

Comments

[heavenscalyx.livejournal.com]

Argh. Dueling garages. Not having been in your car when the noises were being made (did you get the old brake pads and rotors, by any chance?), I can't really guess at cause. Right front axle... making noise under the front seat area... doesn't *sound* quite right. But could be, I suppose. It seems more likely that the brake job was bungled, judging from the timing.

Try Mike's Auto, 295 Medford St, Somerville.
Phone: (617) 623-1009

It's on our side of town, but they're inclined toward helping out the folks without much money trying to keep up old cars. And, to my knowledge, they did not screw me at any time while I was taking my car to them.

Either that or try Calluna's Very Cheap Mechanic in Waltham.

[braingeyser.livejournal.com]

prettydaisies is the one who talks to them, but by all reports from her now about four dealings with them, I'd say Mike's is good people.

If you decide to go there and if you're up for it, give us a call when you plan to head over. It's a five minute walk from our place. We'll hang out, maybe go get some Nuk Nids.

[my-tallest.livejournal.com]

There's always Click 'n' Clack. Call in to Car Talk; this is the kind of mystery they live for. And their offices are right in Harvard Square (garage elsewhere in Cambridge).

[empheliath.livejournal.com]

I say, take the car to a third mechanic. Explain the symptoms, don't let them know you've taken it to two other garages. If they agree it's the axel, get it fixed. If they say it's the brakes, call the first garage and raise hell. If they still won't confirm that's what it is and fix it under the warrany, get the brakes fixed somewhere else and report the first garage to the Better Business Bureau.

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

Ooo, I llke this!

Critical Mass!

[helianthas.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I say go for the 3rd opinion. From what I understand, the axel is a big job. Good luck!

[somehedgehog.livejournal.com]

Ganesha shouldn't need repairs. He should just ride around on his mouse, brakes be damned. :)