Dealer Advice - Parking brake

[rcharrette]

Hi All, so I'll try to make this long story short. Several months ago I did the rear brakes on my 08' LR3. I screwed up the parking brake adjustment and the shoes on the passenger side ground into the rotor, and trashed the system. I removed the damaged shoes and all hardware and drove it like that for a while. I finally got it into the dealer and they said in addition to the hardware it needed a new module at $2K. This is the 3rd module to go on me although this time clearly it could be my fault! Anyway, I said can we replace all the hardware and shoes on the brake system but leave the module off the repair (knowing the parking brake is unusable of course). The writer said yes and all was moving forward. At this point I should also point out we were traveling out of the country and they had the truck for 3 1/2 weeks. We were in constant contact via Skype and email.
Last night, the day before pick up was scheduled I get this email while sitting on the plane to come back!

We as a dealership are not able to release the vehicle to you without the passenger's side park brake shoes missing. Per my manager this is a safety and we cannot let the vehicle leave here with part of the brake system missing.
It will require replacement of the park brake module.

I understand the shoes are needed and authorized that. He seems to be saying the shoes and module are a package?

They are now reinstalling all the old parts so I can come get it. I was not in a position to discuss this the night before picking it up after they had it for over 3 weeks and we need the truck to continue our trip.

So, are shoes and module a package? Could my original thought of just getting the shoes and new rotor with no module worked ok. I know not right but nothing could be a major safety concern.
Thanks, Randy

 

[DiscoDavis]

The fact that they had it for several weeks then decided to spring this on you almost screams shoddy customer service/workmanship. I don't really know the letter of the law here but I don't think they can force you to get that kind of work done just because they say so. You'd have to fail a state inspection or something similar. Besides you'd have the option anyway of having another business do the work so they can't unfairly prevent you from what is reasonable choice in a business transaction.

I do not believe shoes and module are a package. If a module fails on someone they will swap the module, I have not heard of the shoes being locked into a package like that. If it engages/engaged fine then I don't think it needs to be replaced. I do not know the fault codes associated with that. They should be able just to do the shoes. Dealers appear to like the EPB repair because they can push the very pricey module on unwitting customers (not everyone does this).

Unless you live in San Francisco where people park on hills all the time, I don't believe that is a reasonable safety argument, unless required by law and someone really wants to nail you for it. If the module fails it can be manually disconnected by pulling on the cables under the EPB switch. If they are making the argument it would harm the vehicle, it wouldn't. That is what a disconnect is for.

Last point at least in California it is a state law that any auto repair cannot go forward without a signed estimate of the cost of repair. Not everyone follows this to the letter (if you have a good tech/dealer they will often call you if they need to add something, and if you trust them this works ok), but it is supposed to help you out in situations somewhat like this one: (hopefully CO has a similar protection)

from http://www.bar.ca.gov/consumer/auto_repair_guide.html



">By Law, the auto repair shop must provide a written estimate before doing any work. Ask if there is a charge for the estimate. After you have received the estimate, feel free to go to another shop for a second opinion.
>A written estimate must include the total estimated price for parts and labor for a specified repair or service. The estimate must also itemize the parts to be used and the method of repair. The repair shop must stick to the method of repair and the parts listed unless you agree in advance to any changes.
>In addition to the total amount, the estimate may itemize the parts to be used and the method of repair. If so, the repair shop must stick to it. They may not legally substitute parts or change the repair method without your consent.
>The technician will ask you to sign the estimate/work order, which gives the shop permissionto proceed with the work. If you want any of the parts returned to you, be sure to say so when the technician gives you the estimate.
>Before you sign, be sure you understand the work the technician will do. Your signature means you agree to pay for the repairs up to the amount specified. Do not sign a blank work order.
>Newer cars often need a diagnosis before repairs can be done. A diagnosis uses procedures established by the auto manufacturer to determine the cause of the malfunction. The estimate may cover the cost of the diagnosis alone, or the cost of diagnosis and repair.
>If some of the work will be done at a different shop, it must be noted on the written estimate or work order. For example, auto body shops sometimes have auto glass shops replace damaged windshields. If so, the shop must get your permission, unless you cannot reasonably be notified."

 

[rcharrette]

Well it's been a hell of a day but I got the Rover back. Called this morning and the service writer said it was done but needed to go to detail for a wash. At 11AM still no word so I called and said I needed it by noon to go our camper. We decided to delay a bit, get lunch and were pulling into the dealer just before 1PM. My phone literally rings as we pull in and he said I was ready to roll.
So, we are from Colorado, but are currently in California (Carlsbad). I've been to this dealer a few times on visits out here and use the same service writter every time. He's a good guy in my opinion and I do believe in this case the dealer tied his hands on this. He informed me they ended up installing new rear pads for me because the tech had thrown the old ones away but put on the old disk and the parking brake was still inoperable of course. I thanked him and left feeling good about the free rear pads!
I jumped in the truck, put it in drive and as I rolled off an amber brake light came on and a crazy buzzing/alarm sound I'd never heard before is going off. I circled around and let my service writer check it out. He took it straight back to the tech and said give me 20 minutes..................
He came out and informed me it was a bad pad wear sensor on the rear. He apologized and said it had been replaced at no charge to me.
So, this whole service visit has been a ******** show but in the end I gotta say they stepped up and tried to make things right when they were going very wrong. I'm still getting fired up about the parking brake module, $2K for a part as minor as the park brake in completely asinine IMO but that's not their fault.
From there I went onto pick up the camper that had been getting work done. Again, they had it for 3 1/2 weeks and didn't get it all done! Anyway's we are in the camper tonight and the Rover is parked outside. The trip continues................

 

[cannonball55]

the JLR dealer in Carlsbad CA?... avoid them like the plague, they've been nothing but headaches for me, I'm local to the area. There's a British Independent place literally around the corner who are amazing. They've helped me troubleshoot and diagnose with zero charge, when I have gone to them for quotes they've been super negotiable, and even when they were out of my budget helped me figure out exactly what parts i would need for repairs and advised me on little ticks that would make the job easier and things to avoid.

 

[ColoDisco]

From a tech's perspective I can only summize this is a safety issue due to the rear brakes being integrated on the same rotor. If the rear park brake seizes on, it immobilizes the vehicle. I have replaced these twice and both were a incredible PITA. I spent time today replacing all the springs including the return springs and lubricating all the contact points on my personal LR3 as I am afraid of that module failing. The module is way too expensive in my opinion.