Hi all,

So I was sucked into a $450 30,000 mile service, so they essentially did whatever is normally required at that interval plus draining fluids and an engine tune-up (these OEM plugs can't last past 30,000k? Wow!). Also there was a tire rotation and a balancing (apparently a weight shifted). I REALLY should know better. I'll be spot checking their work over the next few days, how ridiculous.

Alright, I don't mind paying for that crap as long as the work is done properly and correctly.

Took a look at the wheels today and noticed something odd, the metal piece that kind of surrounds the back of the disc is like bent for some reason. I am very anal about this car, everything must be perfect.

I've taken pictures (despite 100% humidity here) and I wondering if there is any immediate impact of this damage, what may have caused it (myself somehow, or the dealership doing sloppy work). Brakes seem to function fine, the rear wheels do NOT have this issue. The best picture is the very last one.

***UPDATE --- THE DUST SHIELDS ON THE FRONT ARE BEVELED BY DESIGN, THEY WERE NOT DAMAGED. PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THIS. ***

[removed images of "Damage"]

What you all think? :innocent:

This post has been edited by bakshi6: Sep 10 2008, 10:48 AM

Maybe a rock kicked up between the rotor and the backplate. I woudn't be to concerned about it.

This post has been edited by sodian: Sep 6 2008, 12:15 PM

I should add this is on BOTH wheels, not just one. Both have been damaged. I think the part itself may be called a "dust shield".

This post has been edited by bakshi6: Sep 6 2008, 12:49 PM

The 30k mile checkups are nothing but profit for any dealership. Just do the maintenance that is required and forgo all of the inflation that the dealers try to do. What exactly did you get for $450?

It's the dust shield that is behind the rotor. It probably happened when they took the wheels off for the rotation. The tire or rim must have hit that area when the tire came off. I doubt they'll do much for you and it it isn't making any noises (rubbing against the rotor), I wouldn't worry about it.

This post has been edited by npolite: Sep 6 2008, 06:56 PM

Hi -- Aside from two damaged dust shields, the 30k service consisted of the dealer allegedly inspecting numerous items, change of engine coolant (w/ rad. protector), engine air filter, added some fuel treatment, oil change, ATF partial flush, 6 spark plugs, pcv, rotation (which includes damaging dust shields - increases the efficiency of the brakes?), balance 4 wheels, and that was it. It also included a battery terminal service which wasn't done.

If they changed your plugs get your money back. Our plugs are good for 90,000 mile plus. I don't remember the exact number but it's in the owner's manual. While you're at it I would complain about the dust shields as well. Every time I've taken Gracie into the dealer they've screwed something up, even if it was just getting grease on something in the interior.

Plugs are 100k... ATF is 100k (30k for severe), Coolant is 60k for the first time.

Also I can't imagine there is any reason to add treatment for your radiator at 30k, or replace what was probably a completely clean $4 PCV with another $4 PCV.

Don't take that personally... but it's important for people to understand what dealers do to them when they just want comply with the warranty.

Just for clarification, the owner's manual outlines the following items for replacement at 30,000:

Engine Oil and Filter
Air Cleaner Filter
Fuel Tank Air Filter
Climate Control Air Filter
AT Fluid (for severe conditions)

Along with a host of inspections.

If I got a penny for everytime the service guys left a grease smear in my car I'd be a rich man.

To the best of my knowledge the PCV is a non service item in our cars.
I would take the car back and suggest that they refund you the money for services which were not required, and that they replace the dust shields.

I doubt you'll be able to get a refund on anything. This is what happens to average Joe consumer who doesn't read their owners manual. Next time when a service comes up read your owner's manual and see what you really need, not what the dealer wants you to do. No matter what car you get all dealers add unessissary frills to the total package which are not needed. Take it as a lesson learned.

You could also save a few if you learned how to change the air filters yourself. It takes about 10 minutes to do each one and will save you about $50-75 in labor.

Their inspection is so BS, I can't believe the automotive industry is moving this way. If I was a shop I would do this for free to promote additional revenue if something was failing. It only takes about 2 minutes max to inspect most parts.

The only thing I tend to replace early is the spark plugs (at 50k) as they sometimes will rust on the first change and can be a pain to replace at 100k miles but again I do all the work myself and don't want to have a problem down the road.

Well, I think I'm most definitely stuck with the bill, which is okay IF they replace the dust shields and any other damage (if any other exists). I can't ask for a refund unless I give back the parts and pay for the labor to get them removed (i.e. the plugs).

There is a PCV part (see below) so I think it is replaceable, whether they replaced it or not is questionable, just like the plugs. I'm taking their word for it to an extent, although I will inquire whether they replaced them or just charged - I'd love to make them sign a statement that they completed all the services, which I can hold them to. I'm sure they'll refuse to sign it.

pcv valve, sonata, 3.3l 06-07 $12.77 $10.22

I'm really upset about this and I may not return to this dealer again. I have an appointment with the service manager this week to go over their damage.

It's a hard lesson to learn.

The PCV valve is replaceable, it's just something that you usually never needs replacing. It's usually a quick and cheap troubleshooting fix when you're having problems 100,000 miles later.

The invoice alone is a statement guaranteeing they did the work. If you can prove otherwise, or if they mucked it up, you're entitled to have them redo it correctly. You can probably get them to replace the dust shields. Don't put yourself in a position where you can't come back--i.e., don't burn any bridges with the staff. Next time, just carefully plan out your service ahead of time and turn down any packages up front.

I can only cringe at the amount of money I poured into servicing my car before I really understood how a car worked. Now I can do a majority of the easier jobs myself and better understand what I need done from the shop/dealer. Take it as a lesson learned and be proud of the fact that at least you caught something like a bent dust shield after repairs.

How long did it take them ? I know to change the plugs the intake has to come off to get to the back ones unless they have some secret method of doing it. Did they itemize for intake gaskets or similar ? Bah, I don't even know if our intakes have the reusable rubber gaskets or not ...

The labor on the plug replacement should have rang up as a big chunk of that I would think.

Even then it may be a waste of time to pursue. Here are two instances where I caught the dealer. Luckily the 2nd one was a bit better than the first.


1) I had my 1995 Integra serviced for a timing belt, water pump and drive belts. On the sales receipt it showed that all the belts were replaced with OEM belts. One day when I was replacing the oil I noticed that the belt was so worn out it was about to snap. It was just a little after a year after the belts were put on and the mechanic even stated that the belt wasn't OEM. Even with all of that they still didn't do anything. They (Metro Acura, Philadelphia, PA) were caught and did nothing.


2) I had an alignment done last September at Main Line Honda Ardmore, PA. Six months later I go to rotate the tires and snap a stud breaks. Now I'm the only one who has touches the car other than these guys. Since they did the work I know they stripped it. I go speak to a SA and he has the nerve to tell me it was due to the age of the car! I wanted to reach over and strangle him. I told him straight out he was absolutely wrong. Stripping occurs one of two ways, either you overtorque the nut or you don't hand thread it before using an impact gun. I wasn't asking more than just the nut and stud. He get's so poudy that he refuses to help me. Luckily the service manager gave me the two parts otherwise I would have taken it to small claims court. I have the time and don't require a lawyer as I have done this a few times. It would cost them a great deal of money to have lawyers show up but it didn't get that far.

But sometimes they won't do anything for you just like Metro Acura didn't for me. This was one of the reasons I started doing the maintenance work myself.

Hey I took my car to the dealership aswell and have bent dust sheilds aswell! I thought it was just me but I think I should complain aswell!

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies.

The entire process took 2.15 hours, labor was $272, parts were $184. Also, according to a claim from the service adviser, 2 techs were working on the car, not just 1 (although dealer invoice only lists the tech # of 1 tech).

I know the process to replace the rear 3 plugs is really involved, thus this is why I'm not sure if they even did them.

I have a meeting with the service manager tomorrow, we'll see how they respond.

I noticed also they didn't do the battery terminal service per the maintenance schedule, they'll be doing that as well tomorrow.

hugamuto, take it back and get them replaced for $0. It's nonsense when they break something, it really bothers me they didn't just tell me upfront about the issue; I would've been understanding. Are the dust shields easy to break or something?

For me, now I have to drive back there again and waste gas etc., it's 40 min away.

This post has been edited by bakshi6: Sep 9 2008, 07:13 AM