I own a 2006 Scion Tc. Upon my pre-paid service package with the original Toyota dealership expiring at 70,000 miles, I decided to begin using this local Meineke for my routine car care (which I have done every 5,000 miles).
Upon my car reaching exactly 76,057 miles on May 18, 2010, I visited Meineke for a routine oil change, tire rotation, and inspection. There was no immediate problem. Around September/October, I noticed a slight jerking when applying pressure to my brakes at low speeds. I assumed perhaps it was a brake pad issue but did nothing initially about this. On October 25,2010, I returned to the same Meineke upon reaching 81,176 miles, in need of another oil change, tire rotation, and inspection. Shortly after, the same day, I returned in need of a tire balance since the rotation of the tires uncovered the need for this to be done (extreme car shaking at around 70mph). At this time, I mentioned to a mechanic the jerking when braking and he responded that he saw no issue with my brakes or any other component involving my wheels. As the jerking continued, I decided to visit an old, trusted mechanic of ours, Ed (Ed's Certified Automotive of Stuart, FL) approximately 100 miles from my location, on December 1, 2010. Upon picking up my car, Ed stated that he had to shave the right front rotor. He immediately pointed out a possible cause - someone had placed a mismatched lugnut on my right front rim that didn't belong to the make or model of my vehicle and did not fit correctly, possibly causing the warping of the rotor, though he couldn't be absolutely sure. Since I had to return the 100 miles back to Melbourne, he stated he would have to put the lugnut back on for safety but to immediately have it replaced.
The following day, visited Meineke and explained what my "family" mechanic had discovered and repaired. They refused to take blame for the mismatched lugnut. They stated the lunut was ok to have on my car since it was the correct threading.
Within the next couple days, I visited the local Gattos repair shop (the trusted mechanic, Ed, had also pointed out a nail in the tire which I needed to have internally patched before finding a local Toyota dealership for a new lugnut). I made no mention of the mismatched lugnut to the mechanics at Gattos since I already knew of the issue. Upon returning for my car, they stated that they found the mismatched lugnut, which I in turn stated I knew about and described the issue I was having with Meineke possibly putting that lugnut on my car. The manager of Gattos stated that he refused to put the lugnut back on the car since it would cause further damage to my newly shaven rotor (said was correct threading but completely incorrect shape and had no center washer) and that I needed to immediately go to a Toyota dealership and purchase a new one. He also mentioned that if he were to put this incorrect lugnut on, he would be liable for any damage caused despite him not having actually put it there to begin with. I did not know this.
I immediately purchased a new lugnut and had it placed on the rim. I also called Meineke and explained again that perhaps I couldn't prove they initially put the incorrect lugnut on my car (though Toyota has stated they would never have used a lugnut such as this one on any models of their cars)but that they were liable for air-wrenching it back onto my car several times, possibly causing the rotor damage. The manager of Meineke, whom I believe is named Chris, kept repeating that I could not prove they switched the lugnut and that they were a reputable, certified automotive repair shop. I responded that this may be true, but their negligence in continuing to use the mismatched lugnut, had made them liable for the $100 rotor repair cost, whether they had actually switched my original one out or not. He refused to take any action on what had now become a very costly repair for me and I informed him that I would be making a complaint. |
