Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Paulus on 08 May 2007, 15:21:16

Title: Should I complain?
Post by: Paulus on 08 May 2007, 15:21:16
About a month ago, I had new tyres fitted to the beast. Last weekend, I started to change the front disks. However, I had BIG trouble undoing the wheel studs. I tried using a torque wrench that went past the 210Nm scale. After buying a breaker bar, it eventually broke my (not cheap) socket.

What do you think. Cause to moan?

Paul.
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 08 May 2007, 15:28:30
Absolutely.....it wasn'the outfit down by the fotball ground was it...Stafford tyres?
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Andy B on 08 May 2007, 15:31:18
Quote
About a month ago, I had new tyres fitted to the beast. Last weekend, I started to change the front disks. However, I had BIG trouble undoing the wheel studs. I tried using a torque wrench that went past the 210Nm scale. After buying a breaker bar, it eventually broke my (not cheap) socket.

What do you think. Cause to moan?

Paul.
[size=20]YES!!!![/size]
Years ago after ATS had put my Senator's wheel on that tight I bent the solid (not hollw sh1te that comes in the boot of an Omega) wheel brace, I drove back down to them for them to get the wheel off.
Using a torque wrench after they've put 400ft/lb with their windy gun isn't good enough. >:(
Apart from the damage to bolt & hub threads what if you'd to change the wheel at the side of the motorway in the piddling rain?
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 08 May 2007, 15:34:35
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Cause to moan?

Absolutely. Manufacturer's spec. is around 100 Nm IIRC, so they were clearly overtightened. Classic case of doing them up with the air hammer  >:(

Where did you go to get them fitted? I've just got a result, on a different issue, by writing to the customer services dept. of one of the big chains of tyre fitters so worth a go. There's no way it could have siezed in a month. Be sure to mention the safety aspect of doing a bolt up to twice its' rated torque. Having one shear off is just as dangerous as it coming loose!


Kevin
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Paulus on 08 May 2007, 16:11:50
I got them done at National Tyres in Cannock. I've got good ammo too - I am a mechanical Design Engineer.

Right then, I feel a snotty letter coming on  >:( Grrrrrrrr
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 08 May 2007, 16:27:33
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Right then, I feel a snotty letter coming on  >:( Grrrrrrrr

He He. I'm absolutely cr@p at complaining in person but when I'm in the mood and something winds me up there's nothing like letting off steam in a good snottogram. It generally works too, unless you're complaining to someone like a utility company whose customer service departments consist of blokes with shredders IME.

Kevin
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Dazzler on 08 May 2007, 16:37:05
I agree 10/10 :y
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: x25xe on 08 May 2007, 16:55:24
Me too!
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: ians on 08 May 2007, 17:10:29
Presumably being an Elite its on alloys as well -the air gun should have gone nowhere near it IMHO.   and these people probably call themselves engineers.

Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: JezInBrum on 08 May 2007, 17:30:57
I agree, always been wary of these cowboy outfits that have never heard of a toqrue wrench.
I always carry a breaker bar & a hardened 17mm socket in case of emergency.
A few months ago i had to go to Coventry to rescue a mate with a flat tyre.
Had slpit socket & bent the standard one he got with his car. Told him to get them to replace that & the damaged wheel nuts which they did.
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Paulus on 08 May 2007, 17:42:40
Letter of complaint written (and I was being paid at the same time  ::))

It's going in the post this evening. I will send it to the branch first, if I get no reply, then I will escalate it.
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: miggy on 08 May 2007, 18:48:24
I would definatly take it further if you get no joy from the branch, it would not have been them sat behind the wheel when the nut came flying off, absolute idiots, they need telling, these type of people wind me up because they have no regard for other peoples safety.

Pete [smiley=evil.gif] [smiley=evil.gif]
Quote
Letter of complaint written (and I was being paid at the same time  ::))

It's going in the post this evening. I will send it to the branch first, if I get no reply, then I will escalate it.
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Dave-C on 08 May 2007, 19:12:28
With respect to North Staffs Tyre & Battery...  Had a young tyre fitter balance my tyres, he used an air gun set to a low torque, he then torqued the 4 studs up to 80nm, and the locker hand tight by feel...  WELL DONE NST & B....  No complaints here.....

On the other hand, another local company to me, previously tightened my rear wheels up so tight that I broke, 1x6" ext bar, burst 1x 17mm socket & 1x 14" lever....  I managed to get a 23" wrecking bar for less than a tenner, a 12" ext bar (crows foot branded "ARMY ENGINEERS ISSUE",  nearly bust my wrist undoing them..   I put a spot of copper slip on the flange to stop bonding... they come off easy now.....   I always bear in mind the poor AA, RAC or whoever has the task on a wet, dark motorway..

DC
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Markjay on 08 May 2007, 19:29:29
By all means, complain....

Firstly they’ll deny it all, saying you did not check it properly and it wasn’t over-tightened etc etc.

Then they’ll’ agree it was over-tightened, but it was someone else, you must have had the car in another garage after fitting the tyres because they have procedures and checks in place etc etc.

Then they’ll say it’s quite normal, the bolts seize as result on the wheels turning and the engine vibrating and rust and corrosion and what have you.

Finally they'll accept that they got it wrong but will say that they lessons have been learnt and procedures improved and staff trained etc etc.

In reality, they’ll do bugger all about it and will keep tightening the wheel bolts to bionic torques.



call me an old sceptic...  :(

Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: miggy on 08 May 2007, 19:40:05
You old sceptic  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Tony H on 08 May 2007, 20:17:45
When I have wheels removed at tyre centres if possible I always  stand over the fitter, I also hand them the wheel brace to use when retightening the security nut, if they use the windy gun to tighten them they are usually one b*stard to remove
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 08 May 2007, 20:24:06
Well, I wrote a letter of complaint to Kwik Fit regarding the appauling service I received getting my air con re-gassed and I had a call today from their area manager who discussed it all with me, admitted that the branch concerned had not followed the procedures they are trained to operate and are being sent on another training course, asked me for my thoughts on anything else they can improve and told me a cheque is in the post for a full refund.

Would have been nice to receive decent service in the first place but at least I'm not out of pocket.

Kevin
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Andy B on 08 May 2007, 22:11:07
Quote
Well, I wrote a letter of complaint to Kwik Fit regarding the appauling service I received getting my air con re-gassed and I had a call today from their area manager who discussed it all with me, admitted that the branch concerned had not followed the procedures they are trained to operate and are being sent on another training course, asked me for my thoughts on anything else they can improve and told me a cheque is in the post for a full refund.

Would have been nice to receive decent service in the first place but at least I'm not out of pocket.

Kevin
A result then!
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Chopsdad on 08 May 2007, 23:02:41
I bought a Chinchilla (kind of cross between a squirrell and a rabbit) for my wife 10 days ago for £80 :o

I took it back to the shop on Monday and explained that the receipt said I could have my money back if I was not completely satisfied with my purchase.

What's the problem he asked.  

It's dead, I said >:(

Full refund, no problem. :y
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Danny on 08 May 2007, 23:04:53
i take it you didn't buy it dead?
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 08 May 2007, 23:12:59
Quote
What's the problem he asked.  

It's dead, I said >:(

Memories of the Dead Parrot sketch come flooding back.  :o <reaches for bottle>

Kevin
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 08 May 2007, 23:16:00
.... We've got a slug...

Can it talk?

Yep.

Right. I'll take it.  ;D
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: The Cambelt Kid on 08 May 2007, 23:17:08
Quote
I bought a Chinchilla (kind of cross between a squirrell and a rabbit) for my wife 10 days ago for £80 :o

I took it back to the shop on Monday and explained that the receipt said I could have my money back if I was not completely satisfied with my purchase.

What's the problem he asked.  

It's dead, I said >:(

Full refund, no problem. :y

You just made me laugh so hard i nearly coughed to death...  ;D
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Markjay on 08 May 2007, 23:25:11
It never fails to make me laugh...:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H6DSoqZz_s


 ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Gaffers on 09 May 2007, 16:22:57
I friend of mine took his beamer to a place in Lugdershall near me for some new tyres all round and one came loose when his wife was driving down the A303 at the typical speed beamer drivers do.  Luckily no-one was hurt but the car was wrecked and written off.

It was clear that the tyre place had either over or under torqued the wheel nuts but of course lac of evidence, idleness in the local police, etc, etc.  He went around fuming that his wife and kid were put in danger by their shabby work and garage owner nearly went to him with a wrecking bar.

Needless to say I advise all my soldiers to steer well clear of them and point them to Micheldever tyres down the road who are not only very reasonably priced but having watched them systematically do it correctly (low torque with air hammer then properly torque up by hand) I have complete faith that they are safe.

Gaffers

P.S.  Sorry to any police on here but I have been rammed off the road and punched by drivers while cycling and everytime the police are completly NFI.
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 09 May 2007, 17:06:17
I can vouch for Micheldever tyres. Go there on a weekday if possible because there's a queue on Saturday morning that reaches up the road. It's there for a reason. They're very competitive on price, stock an excellent range of tyres and do a good job. Even did a reasonable geometry setup on my Omega.

Sadly my experience of the Police is the same. If theres not an emergency unfolding as you call them you may as well not bother. I'm sure it's down to resources rather than lack of the will to help though.

Kevin




Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Pitchfork on 09 May 2007, 20:53:14
Headley Tyres on the A339 just east of Newbury are also excellent & good value for money
My son-in-law is a Police Officer based in Alton & you're correct in assuming that there is a lack of available resource
IW
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 09 May 2007, 22:03:45
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My son-in-law is a Police Officer based in Alton & you're correct in assuming that there is a lack of available resource

Ah, small world! In Alton they seem to have their hands full keeping bored teenagers out of mischief and dealing with bikers falling off the black stuff on the A339.

Kevin
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: haydnm0 on 09 May 2007, 22:42:15
i'm the manager at a garage and would fully agree complain all the way . The actual torque for omega wheel nuts is 110nm. But worth remembering is that just because they've been loosened and re tightened    it may not be the end. It is possible that once overtightened the bolt and its mating face on the wheel could be damaged and therefore not refit correctly even if the torque wrench says so.  Worth rechecking the torque after either 1week or 50 miles.
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Ronald_McBurger on 09 May 2007, 22:53:49
Supersize McDonalds? no need. Follow the Ronnie guide to prodessional whinging:

Buy your McMeal thing. Take a huge bit out of the burger, a hand full of fries and a large gulp of the drink, then return to the server to complain that the burger is too cold or something. Insist on a replacement meal and enjoy another full one.

Also, in shops imply that you are from head office. YOUR head office of course, but they will assume theirs. gets great response.

Another one is to wait until they finish and then say...' Do you remember in your training, they talked about MYSTERY SHOPPERS? Yes, well you have just been serving one. I'll pop my report in the post.

WHINGE, COMPLAIN and demand a refund or free holiday.

I have had free flights, a free holiday, free meals, two free tyres from Vauxhall, Free upgrades on flights, free taxi rides. WHINGE your way to a better life.
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 09 May 2007, 23:09:11
Or, as I saw a rather inebriated Scottish gentleman do once, take your big mac, complete with gallons of that horrible sickly relish, gherkins, etc, in the palm of your hand, lift it over your shoulder and slap it down onto the counter in a wide arc whilst yelling "there's a 'kin pube in this!"

OK. so he didn't get a replacement, he got escoprted from the premises but I couldn't eat my burger for 10 minutes for fear of splitting my sides. By which time it was a bit cold....  :-X

Kevin
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Pitchfork on 10 May 2007, 10:23:16
Quote
Quote
My son-in-law is a Police Officer based in Alton & you're correct in assuming that there is a lack of available resource

Ah, small world! In Alton they seem to have their hands full keeping bored teenagers out of mischief and dealing with bikers falling off the black stuff on the A339.

Kevin
Bored teenagers, Drugs, Domestics caused by an excess of Stella Artois (AKA Wife Beater) & of course the lethal A339 between Basingstoke & Alton. (It's not just Bikers that travel too fast on this road, he's had to check for a pulse on several car drivers too)
Rural Idyll??
IW
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: TheBoy on 10 May 2007, 12:25:05
Nought wrong with a pint or 2 of Wife Beater ::)
Title: Re: Should I complain?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 10 May 2007, 12:33:14
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Nought wrong with a pint or 2 of Wife Beater

... when proper beer is in short supply  ;)

Kevin