Another "the dealer is stupid" thread

Took my truck in for a state inspection and oil change, also asked them to look at my rear drums due to them squealing when I stop slowly. I have nearly 80,000 miles on them so they are probably due for a change in shoes soon. I get the truck back and read what the tech wrote, they didn't even take the rear wheels off to look.

The tech wrote something along the lines of "took truck for test drive, squeak wasn't from the brakes, it was the leaf springs. Lubed springs, squeak is gone..."

I know the difference between a drum brake squeal and a leaf spring squeak, not even close to the same sound. I'm taking it back to make them take the drums off and look at what they should look at.

Overall, things like this make me wonder how much people are taken advantage of and not even know it.

 

Best wishes. At this point is when it turns into a pi$$ing contest and you're the only one that can end up burned. You're at their mercy. They're the ones behind closed doors working on your vehicle, doing whatever they want to essentially. They say one thing and do another.

 

It is really important to be specific with people (not just dealers) on what you want.
They looked at the squeaking. So technically they did what you asked. I've been through this a bagillion times with my 250. It has a belt that squeaks on start up. Unless I tell people to do specific things, they won't do it. They just look for the noise, will put some lube on the belt (or water) and it stops squeaking so they think they have done their job.

If you want the breaks checked, don't say anything about a noise, just tell them to check the brakes lol.
I'd also not take it in until your next tire rotation unless it get's worse. Rear brakes last a long, long, long time. No need to sacrifice more of your time on these bone heads.

 

is it still squealing?

 

Yep, still making noise. It's been doing it for about 2 months now, it's gradually getting more frequent. Usually around town driving. The wheels were off and brake cleaner sprayed and moving parts lubed back in the summer and that helped for a little while. I know the rears last a long time, but 80,000 on original brake shoes seems like a lot. Even if they still have enough thickness don't they harden up and become less efficient?

 

I took mine in several years ago for a 90K service and timing belt. They tried to charge me, without my approval, for a brake cleaning and the associated shop supplies (who the hell cleans their brakes regularly unless there is an issue???).

I pulled the rear wheels off in the lot, the rear drums were still frozen on with rust. I demanded to know how they cleaned my brakes without pulling the drums. The surprised-looking service manager made up some bullshit story about how they use little tubes to flow brake cleaner through the brake adjustment holes on the back of the brake housing... He ended up removing the charge from the invoice, rightfully so.

Dealerships pull this shit all the time. I wouldn't trust 90% of these dealership mechanics to add gasoline to my lawnmower.

 

I have had issues with cheap brake shoes... cracking, and as you mentioned, squeaking. 80K is not remarkably high for rear brakes unless you are towing or driving in heavy traffic.

 

nope, got over 98k on a set a rears on a f350 crew cab diesel 4x4, and I drove like I stole it

 

that bad huh?? find a nuther dealer, eventually you will need one

 

this!!!!

 

Brake shoes should still be good at 80,000 miles. I'm at 90,000 and my front pads still have some wear left on them.

This reminds me of when I took my VW to several dealerships because the timing belt was squeaking/squealing (known issue). Each time I was told it was the accessory belt and was normal, especially on humid mornings. After being told once again that it was the accessory belt, I took out my tool box, pulled the accessory belt off (took maybe 1 minute) and started the car and the squeaking/squealing was still there. They replaced the timing belt under warranty the next day.

I agree with PackCon, many dealerships will not go out of their way to diagnose your problem especially if your vehicle is still under warranty. Make sure you lay it out for them, and be specific. See if you can talk directly with the tech working on you vehicle instead of going through the service advisor or whatever their title is.

 

Before I had my Tacoma I had a 2000 Silverado Z71, fully loaded with only 75,000 Miles. A dealer in Charlotte offered me $3,000 on a trade in 2 years ago . I just left and then litterally the next week was given more than triple that on a trade in at a different dealer. lol

 

I've got an '06 Pre-runner w/ 136k miles. Just got the frame swapped 1 month ago - had a chance to actually talk to the mechanic who did the swap - asked about rear brakes - was told that they were still good. I don't drive like a crazy man, and I don't normally tow anything. Haven't heard any noises from the rear and haven't had any issues with braking. Just put on third pair of front pads 15k miles ago.

Fred

 

Me, I clean and inspect mine every time I do a tire rotation.

 

no better way to know whats happening then hands on!!!

 

That's why I change my own oil, even though the first 2 years it is free at a dealership. I know it gets done with the right oil and new filter.

 

X2. I have never once used ToyotaCare, and I never will on my '15. I'd much rather do it myself.

 

Why do you put up with it?

If you are not DIY inclined (and that's ok) find a quality independent mechanic and use them.

You'll never need a post like this again. Well, outside of any emissions warranty or recall work.

 

I do all maintenance myself on my vehicles, but since my wife wants to get her vehicle serviced at the dealership, I allow it because its hers. We went last Saturday for an oil change and they confirmed that I asked for synthetic and then said it does cost more. I laugh and said fine and then look at my wife with a pretty evil look. I then asked her how often do you think that there's a miscommunication from the service runner to the lube tech and then they won't put synthetic in? I told her that we wouldn't know, but we were charged for it.

I then told her, I always know when I change my own oil.

But, at least the dealer did rotate her tires, because her fronts had a lot of brake dust when we went in and then they were on the rear when we left.

 

I went thru this with my wife. She wanted the dealer to do the "free" Toyotacare work; not me. After the botched 5K and 10K service, I think I'm about 95% sure she's on board with me doing all the maint. work as I have for the past umpteen years.