Dealer incompetence just dumbfounds me

[EPIQTodd]

Travis and I did a brake pad install today - Pagid oranges - on my 987S. My first time doing it, so he was kind enough to show me the ropes - it's quite easy. Anyone who pays a dealer to do it really should see just how easy it is. For me, it makes all the sense in the world to do it myself because I'm changing wheels for the track all the time, so the wheels have to come off either way, might as well put some track pads in.

Anyway, I just picked up the car from the dealer today because of the 2 week long debacle with my power steering. Everything felt fine, so I assumed it was. When I went to take the wheels off, I saw a rather significant problem, one that highlights dealer incompetence in a whole new light.

The front wheels were NOWHERE NEAR 96 ft/lbs of torque on the bolts - 50 ft/lbs max, and BOTH my lock nuts were not even HAND TIGHT but actually free turning! I drove 40 miles on the freeway with these wheels! The rear wheels were about the same, not requiring any form of breaker bar but allowing just about hand loosening by just holding the socket in your hand and turning! How can you miss something so elementally basic to a Porsche??? How can they not have checks for stuff like this? The next time, I guarantee you I will bring my torque wrench and check it right on the spot, yelling at any service person in the general area, spouting off how incompetent they could be for something so basic, putting all those drivers at substantial risk. What would have happened had I not had to change my wheels? How many others are driving around with the trust that their licensed Porsche dealer has the basic competence to tighten wheels on a car???

PCNA will hear from me, but of course they won't care, and I guarantee I will be raising Cain at the dealership tomorrow. It's Hoehn Porsche, for those who want to avoid the same situation. If you do go there, take your torque wrench.

[blinkwatt]

I took my wheel to a indepdent shop "supposedly highly recommended" to work on Porsche wheels,I asked them to mount a tire and balance it. I get the damn wheel and tire back and the tire pressure was up to almost 70psi!!!!!!! Needless to say I let the air out the moment I read that.

[mach schnell]

and people said i was reacting too quickly (remember 4 trips to 2 different dealerships in the span of 5 weeks) re: my vibration problem and the decision to dump the car rather than continue to subject myself to dealer imcompetence!

now i can only hope that bmw has some competent folks working for them.

[rctboxsters]

Mach,

Never had a problem with the BMW services while the car was under warranty.

Enjoy your ride!

Richard

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

Economics aside, the horror stories stated here are exactly why I prefer to do my own work - I know it's done right!

Good Job on the Brakes, but I have to say that if you are not experienced, you need to have someone who knows assist you the first time. Also, you need to pay attention to properly lubing the brake hardware to insure a Caliper doesn't stick.

Also measure your rotor thickness to make certain that you're within spec. Typically, these rotors will go through two sets of pads and then they need replacing. This wear is accelerated with the use of more agressive Track or Street/Track pads. Failure to do so will cause the pistons to expand too much and corrode which then acts to prematurely wear the seals requiring rebuild/replacement of the calipers.

Runout should also be checked as well for maximum Braking efficiency and Pad wear. Failure to do these checks can be just as bad as not having the wheels properly torqued. You do it while you're in there because you're not in there every week, month or even year.

Changing Pads, while not Brain Surgery, is still Surgery and a certain amount of know-how is necessary to insure that both you, and the people you share the road with, remain safe...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[EPIQTodd]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

Economics aside, the horror stories stated here are exactly why I prefer to do my own work - I know it's done right!

Good Job on the Brakes, but I have to say that if you are not experienced, you need to have someone who knows assist you the first time. Also, you need to pay attention to properly lubing the brake hardware to insure a Caliper doesn't stick and also measure your rotor thickness to make certain that you're within spec. Typically, these rotors will go through two sets of pads and then they need replacing. This wear is accelerated with the use of more agressive Track or Street/Track pads. Failure to do so will cause the pistons to expand too much and corrode which then acts to prematurely wear the seals requiring rebuild/replacement of the calipers. Runout should also be checked as well for maximum Braking efficiency and Pad wear. Failure to do these checks can be just as bad as not having the wheels properly torqued.

Changing Pads, while not Brain Surgery, is still Surgery and a certain amount of know-how is necessary to insure that both you, and the people you share the road with, remain safe...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Jim, all good stuff, thanks, and rest assured my car is well inspected. All POC events it has a full inspection by a qualified motorsports technician, as required. I see how easy it is to replace the rotors, also, so I'm looking forward to that, even though it is more money...

Where would you lube the brake hardware and what would you use to lube it?