Littleredd
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2020
- Threads
- 7
- Messages
- 105
- Reaction score
- 154
- Location
- Las Vegas, NV
- First Name
- Casey
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Mustang GT W/PP2
- Thread starter
- #1
I'm going to try and be as brief as I can but this was a whole fucking saga with this shitty shop....
I had some parts at the rear installed, but for this story the relevant pieces are Steeda Bumpsteer kit (installed), lowering springs (installed), and 2 sets of front control arms (NOT installed).
Tldr: Shop doesn't have the right tools then tries to charge me more money for work that was not completed. Now the car whines when I turn left.
Lets get to the good stuff...
Me, after calling Steeda and explaining what is going on...:
Then I receive the following email, emphasis mine:
I get inside the and he starts telling me that Steeda never says anything about the tool and I shut that down by telling him that it has nothing to do with the provided parts, basic work at a "suspension shop" should be disassembling the GD suspension!
Instead of arguing any more I just wanted to get my car back before he has any other opportunities to touch it. I paid the OG quoted price (~$950) and GTFO.
Turns out they beat the shit out of the front pass knuckle, and god knows what else, and now the car whines when I turn left from that area of the car. It is going into another shop in 2 weeks to get the work completed so I'm hoping that fixes it.
The damage....
Can anyone tell me what they did to cause this?
Here is the whine:
and
I had some parts at the rear installed, but for this story the relevant pieces are Steeda Bumpsteer kit (installed), lowering springs (installed), and 2 sets of front control arms (NOT installed).
Tldr: Shop doesn't have the right tools then tries to charge me more money for work that was not completed. Now the car whines when I turn left.
Me: Good afternoon. I was wondering if you guys had a chance to look at the rear adjustable camber arms to see if they were in good condition sinceI bought it used?
Thanks,
-Littleredd
Shop:
Hello Littleredd,
They look fine but found out after we tried installing one its missing pieces. Attached is a pic of me pointing to it.
Thank you kindly,
"Suspension Shop"
Ok, no problem, I supplied an incomplete part so it's not on them. Turns out the missing part is an offset washer but w/e... Afterwards I found out they WERE Steeda BUT an "old version" I had bought off this forum here!ME:
Ok. Do you know and can get what it needs? If you can't install it then throw it back on the box, I will get on the sellers ass because they are not even Steeda links like I thought I was buying.
-Littleredd
Lets get to the good stuff...
Shop:
Hello,
We tried looking for it online. Seems like an older version. We also had issues removing the front ball joint. Guys tried forever getting the stock ones out. We have many special tools to get it out. No luck. Steeda instructions online says it's easy, I'm confused. I will get an update tomorrow. Seems like everything else is done. Looks like the part wouldn't do anything anyways.
Me:
Which part wouldn't do anything?
Maybe you guys could give Steeda a call? They have been very responsive and may know what to do.
Shop:
Hello,
Front lower control arm. They tried hammering it exactly how Steeda does it in their install video.
They looked it up online and found a special tool is needed. Tried going to Oreileys and rented some tools different than what we have, still no luck. The ball joint is a lot taller than standard ball joints. Here is the document on the special tool required. https://performanceparts.ford.com/download/instructionsheets/FordInstShtM-3075-F.pdf
Me:
That's disappointing to hear that you don't have the tool.
Forgive me if you've already looked into this, but would this tool from Harbor Freight work?:
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-joint-separator-99849.html
It is listed as in stock at all the stores and you can put the cost on my final price.
Finally, what is the condition of the ball joint in place after the attempts to remove it?
I'm going to include the rep I worked with at Steeda to see if there is something to do.
THIS is the tool btw.Shop:
Hello,
We have similar tools at the shop and even rented stuff at O'Reillys. I doubt any damage was done. Obviously Steedas video is cut up. They make it look so easy. Let me know what steeda suggests. We are running out of time. Alignment set for 5pm and he's not available until next week.
Thank you kindly,
"Suspension Shop"
Me, after calling Steeda and explaining what is going on...:
I spoke to Brian at Steeda and he said the following:
First, ensure the the wheel assembly is not at "full droop" as that would put tension on the arm or joint. Use a jack and lift the wheel a bit and that should release any tension holding it in place.
The piece is tapered so it only goes out 1 way.
Finally, try to heat and cool the arm, being careful not to get anything else, and knock it "on the knuckle", and the vibration should cause it to release.
I think. He said to 'treat like any other stuck bolt" and it will come out. He is not aware of anyone having this issue or needing the Ford tool and he has learned about full droop the hard way...
I guess if that doesn't work then go ahead and skip it. I'd really like to get it all done at once so I only have to do 1 alignment.
For the rear camber arms, is it possible to fabricate the offset washer? Other than that I will try and return it.
Thank you for your time and effort. I can't wait to see how she turns left and right!
-Littleredd
Next message from the shop:Shop:
Hello Littleredd,
We do have a torch. We were super worried about ruining it. Fresh new day, we will do our best.
Thank you kindly,
"Suspension Shop"
At this point, I'm like WTF. The tool is a $230 ball joint separator that is bigger for these Ford ball joints. I don't know dick about most of what he's talking about, or I would have done it myself (and just bought the damn tool!)Shop:
Hello,
Still no good. We are going to harbor freight to try that tool. We are shocked this is so difficult on a new car.
Me:
Lol, yeah, me too.
Again, if it doesn't work then I would like the car to be. Finished tom
Then I receive the following email, emphasis mine:
I rewrote the following email 3 times to tone down my words...Hello Littleredd,
harborfreight tool is not tall enough. No good. My alignment guy can not come back tomorrow so we need to align it today and have it ready for you to drive out of here tomorrow. You can also pick it up tonight. Hope you don't mind paying a little extra. We spent a lot of extra time on it and I'd like to pay the guys for their efforts.
And his response I received in the parking lot before I walked in the shop to get my car:Whoa man, you took on a job and agreed to install the provided part but could not because you do not have the correct tool. Now you are expecting me to pay extra to not get that part installed that, again, a job you agreed to?
I appreciate and agree that your guys should be compensated for their time, and if you actually installed the part I would be right there with you, but your shop not having the tool is not on me, it's on the shop and your guys need to take that up with you.
How much are you expecting me to pay extra? The tool costs ~$260.
Fuck it, buy the tool (I can send you a link if you need it) and I will pick up the car next week with the part you said you would install installed, and I will pay the full price you quoted me for install.
He's right, the camber arms were a kit, so it had 2 for each side instead of just the one, and the used part was added when I brought in the car and specifically asked him to check over and ensure it was good BEFORE installing. He could have added any of that to the bill when I dropped the car off or sent me an email about the extra control arms that I dropped off. I would have paid him more for both jobs!We researched the job. There was no special tool mentioned by Steeda. We spent a ton of time on it last night and again today. Took multiple trips trying to find tools to help get it off. Even followed your suggestion and drove to Harbor Freight. We followed Steedas new instructions and no luck. We spent WAAY more than 8 hours on it. Hope you are ok with at least paying the 8 hours I originally quoted. Your used part was not on the original quote. We took off the factory part for nothing and part# 555-4906, the one we spent all the time on was also not on the original quote. The part# 555-4908 was not able to get installed and was on the original quote so hope that all evens out for you. You will have to find a shop that has that special tool or take it to the dealership. I will send over the invoice. We are aligning it now so you can drive it out of here tomorrow.
I get inside the and he starts telling me that Steeda never says anything about the tool and I shut that down by telling him that it has nothing to do with the provided parts, basic work at a "suspension shop" should be disassembling the GD suspension!
Instead of arguing any more I just wanted to get my car back before he has any other opportunities to touch it. I paid the OG quoted price (~$950) and GTFO.
Turns out they beat the shit out of the front pass knuckle, and god knows what else, and now the car whines when I turn left from that area of the car. It is going into another shop in 2 weeks to get the work completed so I'm hoping that fixes it.
The damage....
Can anyone tell me what they did to cause this?
Here is the whine:
and
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