Help with Wife's 2011 Jeep Patriot

[collkid]

I know, I know. Its not a real Jeep... But it was given to her a few years ago, and heck, it gets pretty good MPG!



There was a little bit of a knock up front when going over speed bumps, so we took it in and got sway bar links done in the front.

A week later or so, there is a terrible clunk sound.

The shop said everything is tight and in place, they think "well, maybe its the struts, we won't know until we replace them..."


Any other thoughts? Did the struts go bad with only 65k?!

2011. 2wd. 2.0L. 64k.



Thanks for your thoughts.

J

 

[Fred]

Have you tried bouncing the front end up and down? If the struts are bad, it should bounce more than once when the front bumper is pushed down. I'd think it would make the noise also. Struts aren't hard to replace, buy ones that are complete and it's just out with the old and in with the new.

 

[md21722]

You can also check the upper strut mounts.

 

[Hypoid]

The shop said everything is tight and in place, they think "well, maybe its the struts, we won't know until we replace them..."


Any other thoughts? Did the struts go bad with only 65k?!

2011. 2wd. 2.0L. 64k.



Thanks for your thoughts.

J

Well, maybe they didn't look hard enough. Since they are willing to take a chance by throwing money at it, maybe they should pay the bill if that does not solve the problem.

Excuse my attitude, but I'm not impressed with what I just read about that shop. It could very well be loose mounts like Brian said. Also, the top plate of the assembly has a bearing in it. If that bearing is bad, it takes less labor to buy a loaded assembly (like Fred said) than tear down an old unit to replace the bearing.

I vote for more diagnostic, less speculation.

 

[collkid]

Think I'll be taking it to another shop.

 

[collkid]

HUGE UPDATE!


This evening, I had my wife jump on the jeep and I listened... THE SWAY BAR LINK NUTS WERE LOOSE!!!!

This could have been a big problem!

I literally tightened it with my finger.

On top of that, the screws to the air filter box weren't screwed in.

What would your next step be? Go talk to the store manager? Call corporate? File with BBB? I expect them to at least give me a full refund.



I

 

[Cottontail]

I think I'd just tighten them up and never go back to that shop. I could see you tightening them up and getting into a he said/she said with them and who needs that aggravation. If it were me, I'd be glad the sway bar links done, be glad you caught the resulting issue, and start looking for another shop for the next time.

 

[Hypoid]

What would your next step be? Go talk to the store manager? Call corporate? File with BBB? I expect them to at least give me a full refund.
I

First and foremost: If it is not in writing, it did not happen.
Second: Speaking as a supervisor, I want to solve problems before they get past my level of responsibility.
Third: To quote my plant manager: "You have only one opportunity to make a first impression!"

If you really want to follow through with your complaint, contact the store manager and regional manager at the same time, in writing (email is acceptable). Provide specific information, including, who, when, and what was said.

At the best, you'll get an adjustment to the bill.

At the worst, you'll get a "thank you for bringing this to my attention," "I apologize for the lapse in our otherwise exceptional service," and, "go eat shite and bark at the moon!" All in the same breath.

BTW Jeremy, good job on chasing down the noise! :thumbup:

 

[Bryan C.]

HUGE UPDATE!


This evening, I had my wife jump on the jeep and I listened... THE SWAY BAR LINK NUTS WERE LOOSE!!!!

This could have been a big problem!

I literally tightened it with my finger.

On top of that, the screws to the air filter box weren't screwed in.


What would your next step be? Go talk to the store manager? Call corporate? File with BBB? I expect them to at least give me a full refund.



I

Sway bar links loose is not a "big" problem, a problem yes for sure. That being said they should have at least rechecked their work when you brought it back.

I would bring it back to the shop and have them fix the problems they created. Then, don't go back there.

Was is a dealership or an independent shop?

Selling more parts is never the right answer. I had a sevice manager that talked about how expensive a good mechanic is, but also how a bad one is more expensive to deal with in the long run.

 

[collkid]

It was Brakes Plus in Parker.

I talked to the manager this morning, sure seems like there isn't anything they're going to do.

 

[puttzer]

Call there corperate office in Denver, they have district managers or ask to talk to mark or dean they are the owners along with there dad.