ColoDisco
Explorer
As some of you know I needed to do front brakes on the Disco. So last Sat. I installed new calipers, Rotors and pads. I bought the calipers from Rock Auto and my brake rotors and pads from Atlantic British. Here is the end result:
i then drove to Steve's in Elizabeth and honestly did not hear any abnormal noises. I did have trouble bleeding out my calipers, (Disco has to be done gravity feed only). It felt like the right brake line still had air thus pulling hard left under braking. After picking up the Disco from Steve's and bleeding it again I found this:
right brake:
left brake:
After some inspection and questioning the pads I found the tolerance for the caliper was way off. Whoever rebuilt these at Clearly did not check mounted tolerances. It is required that the two casings be separated to install new seals, I can see that the casings are just tossed together.
So on to resolution. I called Rock Auto first and asked if these were just rebuilt factory calipers. I was told yes. What they did not say is these were probably pieced together from a bulk box of inner and outer castings. I turned my attention to the rotors and pads and Chip at Atlantic British asks for pictures and explains they have never had a issue with any of the EBC brake kits. We both came to the conclusion that the calipers are the cause. As they are a fixed caliper it makes sense.
I thank Chip and call Rock Auto. I get no empathy whatsoever from the guy on the other end. Instead I get the following resolution.
A bit of paraphrasing but basically accurate:
RA-"Send them back and we will send you another set."
Me-"Really? So I am supposed to leave my vehicle disabled while I wait for another possible defective set of calipers?"
RA-"That is the only way we can send out another set. Or you can start another order and pay for those and we can send another set right away, then we could refund the second set."
Me-"It is your calipers that just trashed my new rotors, there has to be another way. Why would I pay double and have to wait for the refund?"
RA-"that is how we do it. You have to send them back in order for us to send another set."
Me-"is there someone higher up I can speak with? It is your parts that are at fault here."
RA-"that is the way we do it. Or I can send a shipping label and issue a refund."
Me (noticeably frustrated)"Never mind! Just send the packing slip and issue a refund. I am done with Rock Auto. You have the worst customer service I have ever experienced."
on a positive note Chip at Atlantic British discounted a pair of brand new not remanufactured calipers. They have earned my business. Chip also empathized with me out of the gate. RA actually told me they have had no complaints with these calipers almost setting up the "you must be crazy" excuse.
i then drove to Steve's in Elizabeth and honestly did not hear any abnormal noises. I did have trouble bleeding out my calipers, (Disco has to be done gravity feed only). It felt like the right brake line still had air thus pulling hard left under braking. After picking up the Disco from Steve's and bleeding it again I found this:
right brake:
left brake:
After some inspection and questioning the pads I found the tolerance for the caliper was way off. Whoever rebuilt these at Clearly did not check mounted tolerances. It is required that the two casings be separated to install new seals, I can see that the casings are just tossed together.
So on to resolution. I called Rock Auto first and asked if these were just rebuilt factory calipers. I was told yes. What they did not say is these were probably pieced together from a bulk box of inner and outer castings. I turned my attention to the rotors and pads and Chip at Atlantic British asks for pictures and explains they have never had a issue with any of the EBC brake kits. We both came to the conclusion that the calipers are the cause. As they are a fixed caliper it makes sense.
I thank Chip and call Rock Auto. I get no empathy whatsoever from the guy on the other end. Instead I get the following resolution.
A bit of paraphrasing but basically accurate:
RA-"Send them back and we will send you another set."
Me-"Really? So I am supposed to leave my vehicle disabled while I wait for another possible defective set of calipers?"
RA-"That is the only way we can send out another set. Or you can start another order and pay for those and we can send another set right away, then we could refund the second set."
Me-"It is your calipers that just trashed my new rotors, there has to be another way. Why would I pay double and have to wait for the refund?"
RA-"that is how we do it. You have to send them back in order for us to send another set."
Me-"is there someone higher up I can speak with? It is your parts that are at fault here."
RA-"that is the way we do it. Or I can send a shipping label and issue a refund."
Me (noticeably frustrated)"Never mind! Just send the packing slip and issue a refund. I am done with Rock Auto. You have the worst customer service I have ever experienced."
on a positive note Chip at Atlantic British discounted a pair of brand new not remanufactured calipers. They have earned my business. Chip also empathized with me out of the gate. RA actually told me they have had no complaints with these calipers almost setting up the "you must be crazy" excuse.
