Precision Repair & Fabrication

Greetings;In response to the above mentioned complaint, this individual had his Jeep repaired at my shop after a previous shop had worked on it.  They had welded the bearing retaining ring to the axle shaft rather than installing a new one (something you should never do, as it is very likely to...

cause the axle shaft to break).  The axle shaft was an "improved design", manufactured by Moser Engineering.  At any rate, we ended up having to obtain another axle kit for him and install the right side axle (the one that had been welded on-there was no other way to replace the bearing as again, they had welded the retainer in place.  You could only buy the entire kit for both sides, not just one axle shaft.  So, we installed the right hand axle shaft and corresponding parts per the manufacturer's enclosed instruction sheet.  He drove for a short distance and returned with a fluid leak and another bearing failure at the right axle shaft.  I could not determine if there was internal damage to the differential, or if the axle tube was bent, damaged, etc..., and he was in a big hurry to get on the road.  So, he chose to fly home and have an auto transport company bring his Jeep back home to Texas for him.  Several weeks later, I received a call and message (I was gone that day), that the shop he took it to said that we had installed the seal backwards causing the whole problem.  I seriously doubted this, as I personally looked at it after he brought it back and we took it apart again (and unfortunately did not photograph it as proof).  The seal was indeed installed per the instructions.  So, I called Moser Engineering to see what their take on it was.  It was as I suspected, they stated that even if the seal had been installed backwards, it wouldn't matter.  The axle bearing in their kit is pre-lubricated by being packed with grease, and it cannot fail from a seal being in one way or the other.  I do not know what caused the oil leak and the axle bearing failure, but I suspect it was a kinked or damaged axle tube.  I believe it was something to do with the previous shop welding on the shaft, possible warping it?  I cannot, however prove it, as the vehicle is not here nor is the axle.  Please feel free to contact Moser Engineering to verify what I have stated if neccessary-their phone number is [redacted].This individual also tried to get out of paying what I had charged him by disputing the charge to his credit card, but I have faxed the credit card company scans of the signed credit card slip as well as an explanation.  I feel this individual is incorrect in what he is trying to do and how he is going about it.  I will note that I did not return his call after what Moser Engineering told me regarding the seal installation-I figured he was just going to be unreasonable and rude, expecting me to refund him for something we hadn't done wrong.  A copy of his invoice is attached-it does note that it test drove OK, it drove fine with no problems noted for us.  It was after he left with it that he returned with the leak and another failed bearing.  (it should also be noted that a failed bearing will cause the oil to leak from the axle tube).Thank you, please contact me if you have any further questions.[redacted], OwnerPrecision Repair and FabricationBig Timber, MT[redacted]

Review: Business improperly repaired vehicle axle, but denied any wrongdoing and refused refund. Vehicle had to be towed to another repair shop (at my expense) where it was confirmed that Precision Repair improperly installed parts causing immediate failure of their repair. The improper repair destroyed a brake drum, necessitating further repair at my expense.Desired Settlement: Full refund of labor and parts amounting to $980.49

Business

Response:

Greetings;In response to the above mentioned complaint, this individual had his Jeep repaired at my shop after a previous shop had worked on it. They had welded the bearing retaining ring to the axle shaft rather than installing a new one (something you should never do, as it is very likely to cause the axle shaft to break). The axle shaft was an "improved design", manufactured by Moser Engineering. At any rate, we ended up having to obtain another axle kit for him and install the right side axle (the one that had been welded on-there was no other way to replace the bearing as again, they had welded the retainer in place. You could only buy the entire kit for both sides, not just one axle shaft. So, we installed the right hand axle shaft and corresponding parts per the manufacturer's enclosed instruction sheet. He drove for a short distance and returned with a fluid leak and another bearing failure at the right axle shaft. I could not determine if there was internal damage to the differential, or if the axle tube was bent, damaged, etc..., and he was in a big hurry to get on the road. So, he chose to fly home and have an auto transport company bring his Jeep back home to Texas for him. Several weeks later, I received a call and message (I was gone that day), that the shop he took it to said that we had installed the seal backwards causing the whole problem. I seriously doubted this, as I personally looked at it after he brought it back and we took it apart again (and unfortunately did not photograph it as proof). The seal was indeed installed per the instructions. So, I called Moser Engineering to see what their take on it was. It was as I suspected, they stated that even if the seal had been installed backwards, it wouldn't matter. The axle bearing in their kit is pre-lubricated by being packed with grease, and it cannot fail from a seal being in one way or the other. I do not know what caused the oil leak and the axle bearing failure, but I suspect it was a kinked or damaged axle tube. I believe it was something to do with the previous shop welding on the shaft, possible warping it? I cannot, however prove it, as the vehicle is not here nor is the axle. Please feel free to contact Moser Engineering to verify what I have stated if neccessary-their phone number is [redacted].This individual also tried to get out of paying what I had charged him by disputing the charge to his credit card, but I have faxed the credit card company scans of the signed credit card slip as well as an explanation. I feel this individual is incorrect in what he is trying to do and how he is going about it. I will note that I did not return his call after what Moser Engineering told me regarding the seal installation-I figured he was just going to be unreasonable and rude, expecting me to refund him for something we hadn't done wrong. A copy of his invoice is attached-it does note that it test drove OK, it drove fine with no problems noted for us. It was after he left with it that he returned with the leak and another failed bearing. (it should also be noted that a failed bearing will cause the oil to leak from the axle tube).Thank you, please contact me if you have any further questions.[redacted], OwnerPrecision Repair and FabricationBig Timber, MT[redacted]