Screwed over by dealership

[aradio13]

I took my semi truck to a dealership for a rear end problem. They checked it out and told me it was the clutch 3400 dollar repair. Now that the clutch is done. It needs a rear end 5400 dollars. I feel they screwed me over what are my options?

 

[ShyCat]

What US state?

 

[Zigner]

I took my semi truck to a dealership for a rear end problem. They checked it out and told me it was the clutch 3400 dollar repair. Now that the clutch is done. It needs a rear end 5400 dollars. I feel they screwed me over what are my options?

How do you know the clutch wasn't defective?

 

[aradio13]

TN and the clutch was weak but that's not what I took it there for... I took it there because when you let out on the clutch the driveshaft would spin but the rear end wouldn't move.

 

[justalayman]

Ok so if you were aware of that and it appears you understand that is not s clutch issue, why did you approve the clutch repair?

 

[aradio13]

Because I'm not a mechanic and thought they would know more than me.

 

[justalayman]

Because I'm not a mechanic and thought they would know more than me.

So how do you know now it isn't the clutch? It's doing the same thing and the first time they told you it was the clutch, right?

 

[xylene]

Your truck needed extensive repairs.

Truck drivetrain parts are expensive, and servicing them is labor intensive.

That doesn't mean you were 'screwed' by anyone.

In the future consider getting an estimate from an independent repair shop before going with a dealer.

 

[aradio13]

They replaced the clutch and the truck still doesn't move. After telling me it didn't need a rear end in the first place that the problem was the clutch. But now that the clutch is done magically it needs a rear end. So yeah I feel they "screwed" me over

 

[Zigner]

They replaced the clutch and the truck still doesn't move. After telling me it didn't need a rear end in the first place that the problem was the clutch. But now that the clutch is done magically it needs a rear end. So yeah I feel they "screwed" me over

It sounds to me (and you acknowledge) that both things needed to be repaired.

 

[justalayman]

So the problem is they repaired something that although it needed some sort of repair it was not your intent to repair it at the moment and repair only what it took to get the truck rolling again, right?
The problem with this is that your clutch did need repair. If they "repaired" something that required no repair it would be a lot simpler. The fact is the clutch did require repair so the bottom line is;

How were you damaged here.

What are your actual losses? Remember, the clutch did need repair so although you would have preferred to not repair it at the moment it was none the less not a matter of "fixing" something that wasn't broken.

 

[single317dad]

As a former truck driver, mechanic, dispatcher, and fleet manager whose best friends are truck drivers and mechanics, I feel I can say this with utmost certainty.

You're supposed to keep your truck in much better condition than you're describing. Mechanical systems such as drivetrain, brakes, and fifth wheel should be in top working order. Electrical systems should be 100% functional. There should be no fuel leaks, air leaks, hydraulic leaks, refrigerant leaks, or lubricant leaks. These rules exist so that the roadways are safe for everyone, including you, me, other automobiles, and other truckers. You're supposed to inspect your truck every morning and confirm it's safely operational. Every trailer you hook to should be inspected to the same standard.

If DOT knew you were driving around with a slippery clutch and a nearly blown rear end, they'd have parked you.

Find a reliable mechanic who can service your truck affordably. Dealerships and service shops like the T/A are generally very expensive. Keep in mind that you're driving a commercial vehicle that is intended for heavy hauling of valuable goods. While $8800 is no drop in the bucket, it's not out of line for repairs like this.

One friend hit a deer in his Freightliner Classic two years ago; his new hood alone was $20,000. Another hit a large tree limb with his company's trailer and the repair charge was over $5,000.

 

[aradio13]

My truck has a full dot inspection quarterly 4 time a year per my company requirements. I have the clutch for my truck at home to replace through my mechanic. But since the rear end broke with no warning and was towed to a dealership. And if you drove a truck you would know the difference in weak and bad.

 

[justalayman]

So, again, what are your damages? All work performed was needed so they did not fix things that didn't need to be fixed. Because of that your measure of damages is simply nil.

 

[aradio13]

If you ran over a nail would you would you replace the tire or patch the tire? Same concept the clutch wasn't exactly bad my mechanic checked it and said it would need one in the next year. But when you are towed to t dealership cause your truck won't more you kinda trust what they say. But I guess the real answer your looking for would be the around 2000 since it was going to cost around 1400 for my mechanic to replace the clutch. Where they charged 3400.