Damage Done to Vehicle While Being Repaired At Monroe Brakes

I have a similar problem with Monroe. I had them replace my front
brakes and rotors. After that the car was never the same, it was
shaking and vibrating. After a few weeks of driving I brought the car
back to them asking to fix the problem. Guess what, their mechanic
found stuck caliper and suggested to replace both of them at my
expense. It is clear that the caliper was damaged at the time of
service. I plan on fixing brakes at a different auto repair shop,
since I don't trust Monroe, and take them to small claims court for
the total amount I spent on fixing brakes. I was the last time I
visited Monroe. Good luck with you case.

you may need to get a lawyer

and never go back there again for service

:(

I guess I need to know how you define welding. Using a blowtorch is a
common (although somewhat of a "shadetree mechanic") method of getting
a part off a car that is stuck on. If you saw someone simply using a
blowtorch on your car, that is not welding. If, however you saw
someone using a welder...hard to explain if you don't know what it is,
but he would either be wearing a welding mask or goggles and sparks
would be flying-then yes, he was welding something on.
You also have to take the brake assembly off to replace the wheel
bearing-that is normal. On most cars now you have to replace the
whole hub assembly as it is a sealed unit-you can't just take the
bearings out and pack new ones in. And as others have said, it is not
a particularly hard job to do-but most people don't want to mess with
it. And since you live in the Northeast, like I do, I'm sure you are
aware that driving on salt and sand all winter does not do your car
any favors-parts rust and corrode much quicker here than they do in
parts of the country that don't deal with this type of condition.
I'm not saying they did not break a bolt and weld it back on, it is
possible and probably likely and I feel bad for you. But what I think
is it has been so long it will be hard to prove, and sadly, they won't
pay you anything on it. I realize you first found out about this back
in January, but that was still 3 months after the job was done-all
they need to say is we don't know where you took your car after that
or what you did. And that is probably what they were counting on-I
mean, who tears apart the work the mechanic just did to see if it is
right?


If I were you I would find a trustworthy local mechanic to take your
car to in the future and stay out of the chain stores.

Unless the guy still works there and admits it, you will have a hard
time proving it.

Yes you show that repairs were done on that date, but that is probably
about it.

Unless you have video evidence, you really cant prove anything.

Btw, bearings are pretty simple to fix yourself. Takes a few hours
out of your day, and you wont need a blowtorch either. Contact your
local community college and sign up for the basic automotive 101
class. You will learn alot, they are great!


Good Day

What a shame. How dishonorable is THAT? Situations like this give
honest mechanics fits.

If this had happened to me, I would have driven back there in January
with my receipt from September's work, and thrown it in their faces.

To do a Rube Goldberg repair on BRAKES puts your safety at risk. How
absurd.

I wonder, since so much time has passed, if you can prove this. I'd
still present my case in person, if for no other reason than to tell
them personally you know what they did. I'd also give the "I'm going
to tell all my friends about what your shop did" threat (and I would
do it).

I still am shocked someone welded a brake part to disguise their
error.

1. Get your car repaired now, for safety, if you haven't already done
so.

2. Give up on there being a "Mutually agreeable" resolution. Monro
Brakes is not going to behave with character and ethics. They've made
that clear from the moment they ruined your brakes and now when they
ignore you.

3. Take Monro Brakes to small claims court pronto. Get signed
affidavits from both mechanics who looked at your car, stating their
professional opinions. Write your memory of that day down as clearly
and concisely as possible. Type it up and be prepared to give it to
the judge. Timeline and bullet points with brief statements are easy
to follow.

Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestion.

Bridget

Bridget K.,
If it were me I would call my vehicle insurance agent and see if that
person could give guidance on how to approach this issue if you don't
hear from Monro in a timely manner.
Stop back when you get this resolved and let us know how it shakes
out.
BillR.