Crooked Shop Charges Customer after Broken Axles

[@Gizmetti]

This entire video is the perfect example of why I found this channel. I wanted to learn how to do my own repairs because I was sick of being lied to. I do about 80% of all my own repairs and maintenance now. This channel is invaluable for that reason.

[@Ngarepairercar1990]

Very good I always welcome your videos

[@keysautorepair6038]

Don’t believe everything you hear and see here opinions are just that not facts.

[@tinydog34]

​@@keysautorepair6038It's not hear say Ray is showing what the last shop did. Are you the one who did the work on the van

[@gerryparolin3824]

He was probably supervising a first year tech

[@keysautorepair6038]

@@tinydog34 Unless you have done 100s of hubs and cv axes you might believe this nonsense ain’t no way this happened like he said it did.

[@alveus8205]

I’m blessed to have a good mechanic nearby. A few years ago, I had him do some work. They made a minor mistake, I called back, he apologized and said no problem just bring it in. They fixed the problem quickly and filled my tank with gas for free before I picked it up. They have earned my complete trust.

[@catmanmorris1752]

Monkeys in a tranny shop remember those ammco commercials 😂

[@eugenemoor1570]

Case in point, on the oil pan you damaged on removal, you bought them a new pan.

[@BobBasshead]

You know he did!

[@zer0theultimate]

That's why we love Ray. He'd rather lose a few bucks on a job than tarnish his personal reputation. Especially becoming a business owner, his rep means a lot more than the techs he hired.

[@HypocriticYT]

They were too lazy to chase the damaged threads 😮

[@garybuchanan2107]

Ray this qualifies as the best rant of the year. You were 100% spot on. Keep up the good work.

[@donaldmacdougall1600]

We need Ray Rainman Franchise repair shops where Quality is number one ☝️

[@DeltaGammaKilo]

If you wanna open a franchise in MI, I know a guy who is looking to sell his fuily-outfitted shop for a turnkey operation....

[@DarkXSM]

I want to get my car to Ray for some dissections one day... pretty sure he can make some fun comments about it and my repairs...

[@michaelmagnani3463]

The downside to franchisees is the people that run them.

[@wacowildcat]

Never never never franchise your business. Keep any and all future units under your roof. Not even a close call.

[@tomblobasjamesc.mccollum1740]

Yeah, bring one to the D/FW Texas area. So many jackwagons out here.

[@thomaswhatsit3984]

While I am not a pro I have been working on cars for over 50 years. I have never found wherein the threads of a bolt, axel or most anything have "failed". I live in Wisconsin rust country and have had failures due to corrosion or cross threading, but never to just failure. To say that the threads failed is a out and out lie. Something has to act on them to wreck them. I've changed many axel shafts and bearings and never had any issue. I'm happy you made this video so folks out in the world will have some idea what goes on in the repair world.

[@daverson1508]

I love that you took time for your daughter. You will never get those opportunities back if you miss them.♥♥ I have noticed the good shops are always busy and don't need to advertise. Word of mouth goes a long ways. Great video!

[@davidhomen4528]

Word of mouth in both directions.

[@philipershler420]

That’s just one of the reasons a lot of viewers enjoy this channel.

[@Zero_games_here]

Honda tech here The oil control valve above the dipstick Very common in those vans. 3 bolts it’s very easy fix

[@Zero_games_here]

To further elaborate The Honda odyssey was not always the best option but all the Honda V6 engines from this generation had this same design flaw There was an TSB I believe for this oil control valve from Honda at one point

[@WilliamHollinger2019]

​​@@Zero_games_hereWhat is the name on the engine Ray's Odyssey? My mom's 2002 Odyssey that engine is sweet and runs good.

[@notbanksy8294]

​@@Zero_games_hereis there a TSB for disintegrating valve covers?

[@Zero_games_here]

@ I don’t know for certain but I am sure it is in the J series of engines I believe 3.5L

[@notbanksy8294]

@@Zero_games_here yep, just replaced both covers. Looking for prevention methods lol.

[@Ar.maverick]

Don’t throw those parts away, the owner can file a complaint with the consumer protection division of CA with the Atty Generals Office. With your information I believe he has a complaint that he can win through the Atty Generals office of CA

[@ken2tou]

Agreed. This is all great evidence to back up a complaint.

[@wolfguardian8312]

yeah, after 5 years of litigation....meh

[@Ar.maverick]

@@wolfguardian8312 I had something similar happen to me, took about 6 - 7 months and I had a Full Refund for what i paid to get the job done. I later found out the individual company had multiple complaints which made it a little easier I suppose.

[@railbaron9]

Rays is Fla.

[@thomascritelli1260]

​@@wolfguardian83125 years 10 years doesnt really matter once you file with the att gen its out of your hands anyways you will just get a check when its all said and done

[@superloopy24v]

That's the worst damage to a driveshaft thread I've ever seen. You did a great job of explaining what has happened because I think even those who don't know this job would have understood what you were talking about.

[@russellriggan2088]

the "mechanic" needs to go back to asking if he wants fries.

[@russellrobinson4888]

Anyone with even a modicum of mechanical understanding would KNOW that it would be impossible for those threads to be that badly damaged except due to negilgence. Problem is, how many other people will be ripped off before this rogue shop closes down due to lack of return customer bussiness?

[@johncherish7610]

The evidence speaks for itself, the mechanic shafted his customer for mistakes the shop made

[@j_taylor]

I'm no mechanic and knew nothing about driveshafts. Ray's explanation made sense to me. Most mechanics are honest and work hard, and have to deal with the distrust caused by a few dishonest people.

[@24blade00724]

As a kid into my teenage years, my cousin and I would work on our bicycles. We would build bicycles and maintain them, and just from my experience doing that, replacing axles and crankshafts, I knew exactly what Ray was trying to explain.

[@carycoplon5681]

Honesty and integrity are hard to find in today's world.

[@mikehunt908]

Sadly 😢

[@DisIntegratedLife]

It's by design. We created a system that rewards dishonesty. It's super hard, and often very expensive, to hold people accountable. 99% of the time you're better off, financially, just rewarding their dishonesty, than spending the money to try and have them punished in court. As an example, did you know the guy that created Candy Crush had it stolen by the company that owns it now? And when he took them to court over it, they buried him in litigation until he could no longer afford to keep up his lawsuit. Once he dropped the suit, they pretty much owned it uncontested, and made a ton of money. The system is designed to reward dishonesty.

[@bearing_aficionado]

As someone who makes bearings for a living, I find it great hearing others describe how bearings work and their failures when they come across them.

[@patriotgarage]

You can feel a bad bearing when you spin them. Even the cheapest of cheap never felt bad out of the box.

[@bearing_aficionado]

@patriotgarage I am fully aware that you can feel a bad bearing when you spin them. I said I make them for a living. Hell, I've felt bad ones right off the line.

[@jimmeade2976]

Thank you Ray for educating us customers. Several years ago, my VW Rabbit had an electrical problem that the dealer had difficulty identifying. The car randomly shut off while driving in winter when the heater was on. After 3 days in the shop, the dealer called to tell me the problem was fixed. They tried to charge me for 7 fuse blocks that they kept blowing up while trying to fix the problem. As an electrical engineer, I knew that was ridiculous. After destroying a few fuse blocks, you have to find something other than what you think the problem is. I argued with the service manager and agreed to pay for 2 fuse blocks; the rest were on him.

[@pirish236]

I guarantee you.He did not half to stand the cost of any of those fuse boxes. He had plenty of Vin numbers in his parking lot. That he could charge those fuse boxes off against warranty, which again obviously was fraud. However, it was quite common in the auto industry for dealerships to do that. When they actually got caught to fix their own shortcomings. I hate to burst your bubble about him. Having to pay for any of the remaining fuse blocks, but I'm pretty sure with utmost certainty. He did not suffer any losses

[@kevinmccarthy1076]

Excellent video Ray! When I was younger I repaired my own cars but I don't any longer. I am fortunate that I have a auto repair shop 2 miles from my house and they are always honest with me. We need more people like you and the shop I go to.

[@opapeter1679]

So true. My local Toyota dealer installed one(1) new rear shock under warranty. Car was 16 months old. Told us did not have to come back for wheel nut torquing. Result: rim is bend. Car shakes on highway. We're told: "We must have hid that same wheel in the week following the repair." Thanks for making this video. Hope it goes viral.

[@chadcoffman1870]

Why can every shop not be run like yours? I think people would do the maintenance that is needed if they could trust the shops more. I worked at a Honda only shop for 7 years not a dealer and the owner ripped people off all the time. I hated it and finally left and got out of the trade all together. I’m glad there are good people like you in the trade be people like you and your crew are few now a days. I watch your stuff so I can repair my friends and family’s cars. You have taught me so much. Thank you for being a stand up guy and giving the people in your town a shop they can trust. You have my respect as a person and a tech! Much love from Iowa.

[@jeffreylane7647]

Well done Ray. I ran into some of the same issues as a toolmaker in the plastics industry. A molding tech would do some very expensive damage to a very expensive mold and tried to blame it on me or one of my co workers making very tough on us. I always said just own to your mistakes makes it beer for us to fix and get the tool back in production.

[@MikeLloyd-z2s]

I am a diy mechanic in the U.K.. I’ve done my own maintenance jobs for 40 years plus on bike and cars . I like to read up on a job before I do it, or watch a video which is how I found your channel. I like to think I’m pretty handy and people sometimes ask me to work on their cars. A few years ago I was asked to change a clutch on a friend’s car. During that work, I noticed that the gearbox input shaft seal was leaking, so I tried to fix that for my friend as well. Long story short, I got it wrong and ended up making things worse. I couldn’t fix it, so I bought a second hand gearbox out of my own money and fitted it for free. He offered to pay for the box, but it was my mistake and I owned it, literally. This video is one of the reasons I learned to do my own stuff, there are too many garages that are not trustworthy out there.. keep up the good work Ray..

[@gregwentz4537]

being 73 years old. have been blessed by having 2 good shops first retired second getting close to. to take work to an trust for good honest work for over 50 years. other part is worked on off road tractors 45 years. same set up just much bigger same prosses. ray you are 100 per cent right on where damage came from. carry on.

[@frankhebert9935]

Mr. Ray you are the man. Very intelligent fella at that. I love your videos. I run 1 of 3 tire shops an my shop does mechanics also. Anytime one of the other shops messes up (cross threads lug nuts or whatever) I just fix the issue without hesitation. Like you said mistakes happen. Take it on the chin an keep it pushing forward. Thanks for the professionalism..

[@mainid2490]

Hopefully the guy from CA leaves a good review of that shop, by name, all over the internet.

[@pedrobetancourt]

Commiefornia 😅😅😅😅

[@silicon212]

@@pedrobetancourt He's not wrong

[@pedrobetancourt]

@silicon212 nope I live here in commiefornia 😂

[@silicon212]

@@pedrobetancourt I live one state to the east of you, and we've seen an influx of people from there escaping the hell!

[@j_taylor]

California has a good Bureau of Automotive Repair. I had to file a complaint with them before, after a shop ripped me off and then stopped talking. The BAR agent called me the next day, said he had a good conversation with the shop owner, and that the owner would call me that day to apologize and refund my money. (And if he didn't, to call the agent back and he'd take the necessary steps.) Sure enough the owner called me to come over. He gave me an apology and a money order. This is what strong consumer protection laws do.

[@sebastianbohlaender7710]

I´m familiar with the automotive repair industry for about 18 years and active in it for 6. I have broken my fair share of stuff but how do you mess up this bad and not own up to it? Threads wearing out like tyres now is something I newer thought I would ever see! Also that wholesome intermission by your little one was much needed in this video. Greetings from Germany and merry christmas to you and your loved ones..

[@jdub976]

Holy crud this story hits close to home for me. Being a good mechanic you prob don't deal with the other side of repairs much. It is so hard to find a shop who does this or understands how to do this properly anymore. 3 different shops for me and finally the 4th had a guy who could do this right. Times have changed. I think people are so used to using scan tools now they forget how to do this type of work. Thanks for the video.

[@dapperdave4952]

Hey Ray, your Forensic Analysis skills and your dialog related to the investigation was absolutely outstanding Sir!

[@Sam590ss]

This right here is why I do as much as possible myself and watch people like Ray to make sure I'm doing it right. Sorry about your buddy man. That shop will get theirs exactly.

[@michaelmontag5863]

We need more people like you in the auto repair industry. I completely agree with your rant and assessment.

[@johnnodge4327]

Your hypothesis is spot on Ray. I've been working on Honda and Rover (used Honda design) for over 20 years, and I believe you're absolutely spot on. The shop didn't open the locking tabs correctly, which will strip the theads on the drive shaft. The shop should be paying for this damage, not the customer.

[@markmillerstowing]

Honesty means everything in life, there’s no second first chances for making a customer happy.

[@PhreakyPhillip]

I will always give my business to someone that might screw up (even if I have to pay for some of it) and admit it, or a shop that might charge a little bit more than other shops, because honesty and integrity are more important than saving a few dollars. That right there is why I watch your videos...same with Pine Hollow, South Main Auto, Ford Boss Me, and others like that

[@johnb1658]

lol this fool is no Eric O or Ivan 🤣😂🤣 far from it .

[@davebarcus7118]

Ray, I found it heartwarming to see you take a time out with your daughter. You seem to be a great dad! Treasure those times because they grow up so fast!

[@victorjudice7344]

Ray, I agree with you 100 percent. As for running for department of transportation, you have my vote.

[@RocRizzo]

You don't get to vote on cabinet positions in the US, especially the UST.

[@gonzgarr1592]

Ray you are a honest person that is hard to find these days thanks for your honesty and happy new year to you and your family

[@jefferyberry7010]

Years ago took some, hard to find, heads to a machine shop to have them resurfaced and gone thru.. Guy called me a couple of days later and said there was a problem with them. After looking them over I realized they had cut to deep on the valve area and had caused a huge crack that was not there to begin with. Owner told me I should take them back to the yard where I got them and tell them they were bad from the beginning. I never used that shop again and neither did any of my associates. I don't believe we are why they shut down but I hope we contributed. There is just no room for this when the heads cost several hundred dollars back in the 90's.

[@neorotoxin]

You're the man Ray. I appreciate honest people more than most things in life. You are straight with your customers and us, trying to be good and fair to all. You even admit your mistakes, and on video to boot, which is rare. I only wish all shops were like yours. I also hope that lying cheating shop gets the reputation they deserve from ripping customers off for their mistakes.

[@charlesmyers1294]

Industrial maintainance mechanic here and I've seen this sort of thing a lot. Pretty sure they buggered the lead thread on the axle, then sent the new nut cross threaded, and since it was cross threaded it would only drive so far before it wouldn't go any further. That caused the torque to be wrong and the loose bearing. I can only imagine they had to grab a 1" impact to get that nut off looking at the thread damage.

[@Rob-Eckert]

I'm thankful for mechanics like you! I am lucky to have one here that I go to who treats me with enough respect to tell me the problem with my vehicles and give me the choice to repair it myself or if I'm not comfortable with that, he will do it. He has even walked me through how to do some repairs.

[@andyny29]

Ray, you have to tell the wife unit to stop drag racing that Honda!😂😊🤣❤

[@_pitaph_6392]

Kyle from Boosted Boiz will buy said Odessey!

[@jackhouston357]

After reving that Honda to 7,000 rpm's😂

[@NY411Info]

@@jackhouston357 Makes me wonder what the clutch friction plates look like now. Probably in the color of bluish purple...lol. Hopefully the confuser in the car disengaged the clutches.

[@MegaTapdog]

Been wrenching for 50 years and have never seen threads “fail” you seem to be spot on, nice break down and analysis as always Ray.

[@wesleypulkka7447]

Ray, I had a mechanic try to sell me new hydraulic lifters on a Chevy 6 cylinder truck engine when all it needed was a valve adjustment. The kicker was the 1960 engine had solid lifters!

[@dcbacon1]

It would be so great to be able to qualify a repair shop before they start work. Experts like Ray would be key in figuring out how this could be done.

[@captiancamper]

Your customer has a strong case now for the CA Bureau of Automotive Repair.

[@j_taylor]

Totally! I'm a fan of the BAR. I had had to pay a shop owner, in cash, just to get my car out of there before they screwed it up worse. Never mind that it still wasn't fixed. I called the BAR for help. The person stepped me through the process of filing a complaint. The next day, a BAR agent called and said I should receive an apology and full refund before closing. Sure enough, the shop owner had an apology and money order for everything.

[@roywhite7833]

Great educational video. It really is difficult to find honest reputable repair shops.

[@AlicesWondereland]

I've worked in IT for 20+ years. The hand full of times I've broken something, I've replaced it. And if I couldn't fix someting, I didn't change. That just seems like the right thing to do. Building customer trust is the most important thing to do in business.

[@carlevans7966]

You're 100% correct, Ray. Stuff happens, no big deal, but how you handle it is.

[@dont-want-no-wrench]

not an isolated case, that's why, if you find an honest and competent mechanic you stick with them.

[@CoolHandFlyer]

Ray you said it…. It comes down to who is a professional and who is just a greedy company. Love your rant!

[@mike.47]

I agree 100% with Ray’s autopsy of the mashed up axel. Dishonest shops will get their butts kicked when their customers sue them.

[@problemsolverstoothlessold5803]

the owners dissolve that entity and reopen in the same place under a new name.

[@jimgrady7458]

And this is why I have two new axles for my 2005 Silverado sitting in my garage. I'd rather take a shot at doing it myself than taking it to a shop. Also, it gives me an excuse to go nuts at Harbor Freight Saturday morning 😂

[@GS-Stage1]

Thanks for being an advocate for those who are honest and care!

[@terrywebb8636]

Hey Ray, there are shops out there, profit over honestly, your little girl is precious, great video see you next video.

[@Mech7.3]

Top notch explanation of rip-off artists. We need more accountability in the industry. Thank you Ray!!👍🏼🇺🇸

[@denveyebanks4787]

They lose that customers future business and by word of mouth several other potential customers as well. What they thought they gained was actually a bigger loss than they realize. Thank you for this. I've been through it myself as a customer.

[@toysoldier46552]

I have never installed a bearing incorrectly. Mind you, I'm a woodworker, but I was raised as a farm boy, so I do a lot of my own repairs at home.

[@nunya2814]

Absolutely spot on with this assessment Ray, and you're 100% correct on people needing to be blasted on the Internet for this type of behavior. It was a bit of a shock when i moved to central fl almost a decade ago and saw how bad the auto repair industry is here. When i moved down here i was retired from automotive repair, but after a few years of seeing the tom foolery i saw coming from "mechanics" and local shops, it motivated me to get back in it. I now mainly focus on mustang work, but i still do general auto repair for close friends and people they refer.

[@eddymahon1503]

Definitely, Secretary of Transportation Rainman. Or President for that matter 😊

[@teecee1980]

🎉Congrats on 600k Sweet Baby Ray!!!!!!🎉

[@jamesnall569]

I have changed cv axles a few times and I use an impact to run the nut down slowly. I have never stripped the threads and I have always torqued to factory specs.

[@JimSmithBrazil]

Even if I can't do the repair my self. Watching your videos educates me enough that I can now tell if I am being provided lip service or BS about the issue. Thanks Ray!

[@glennbeadshaw727]

In my younger years I worked in the service department of a Japanese car sales dealership in Toronto Canada and I can honestly say that the only time I saw the service manager watch a mechanic do any work was when the mechanic was disputing the book rate hours of a repair

[@johncherish7610]

This is True service managers don't do that their job is to sell unneeded service work replacing good parts with cheaper Chinese parts and charging OEM prices

[@leodrosia4369]

Haha

[@j_taylor]

Haha indeed! Service managers manage the money, not the repair work.

[@phloxxic1387]

A good and honest mechanic is like gold. My friends and I always exchange info for shops that are trustworthy and talented. That CA shop will die out because word of mouth not only still exists it has gone digital. I hope the customer posts reviews and links your video. As a side note, those who leave bad reviews on good work just because they didn't give you the bargain you wanted should be ashamed. Like the saying goes: you can have it fast, good, or cheap.....pick any two. Fast and good isn't cheap, good and cheap isn't fast, fast and cheap isn't good.

[@j_taylor]

California has strong consumer protection laws. He can file a complaint with the BAR. Social media is great, but lacks the teeth of government regulations. Use those where you can.

[@kennyyoung6413]

Great root-cause analysis Ray!

[@TheRealMrCods]

Great video Ray, I had something similar happen at my local mechanic except they owned up and even when I tried to offer some compensation for the problem they refused and told me thats just the nature of their business. Best mechanic ever and they are always flat out busy and I now understand why, honesty is rare in a small business these days. I commend you. 👍

[@clbcl5]

As soon as it was determined the "TIRES" were not to blame for the noise 16 red flags should have gone up.

[@timrowe28]

I call this a hack job due to lack of experience or just plain laziness. Ive been wrenching for nearly fifty years and I’ve seen this happen many times by either lazy techs trying to cut corners to get it done faster and not caring or from just plain lack of experience . Ray you’re 100% in your assessment of what happened.

[@GeneralSulla]

I do all my own work. I can't trust a mechanic in New Mexico. No pride in workmanship, just make money. That goes for dealerships too.

[@Taillighttim26]

That's the same thing I do if I get stuck on something I will watch one of Ray's videos and find out what I need to do

[@yogidemis8513]

Dealerships are the worst and finding a honest mechanic these days is like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

[@daleallen7634]

@GeneralSulla: One of the reasons that a lot of people are calling them ("dealerships"), STEALERSHIPS!

[@michaelcrockette8694]

Thank You Ray. if your message gets through to 1 mechanic that’s one less person getting ripped off.👍🏽

[@ianhorabin9763]

You are bang on about that drive shaft,as a mechanic it shames me to see shoddy garages trying to push the cost on to the customer..it's wrong plus if that hub failed on the highway it could have caused a serious or fatal accident..Name& Shame them..Ian UK..👍

[@DannyNeal-g8y]

Thank you for stating the truth, Ray. If a member of management was actually watching that technician, it was only because he couldn't be trusted to do the work unsupervised. Which is an admission that they were aware that the job was being done incorrectly.

[@Robyrob7771]

Dealership swapped the frame on my truck. About a year later my AC failed. One of the tubes had a hole worn in the side. They didn’t put the tube back in the retainer, it was resting on top. They owned up to their mistake and repaired it free of charge. They will get all my future work!

[@Obsidian-One]

Yea they definitely messed it up, you can clearly see it in the video! This is why i do all the work I possibly can on my own. If I lived in Florida I would bring my car to you. Thanks Ray!

[@elainerussell924]

So the customer knew that the oil was leaking on his alternative for the longest time and kept driving it like that??? Shameful neglect!😮

[@SteveC-y9W]

Alternative?

[@MartinMcMahon-h2s]

Ray, I know exactly what you are saying about the industry, understanding things do break, but it is unfair to make customers pay for a mechanic’s mistake. I have watched your videos for 4 years, and have seen you eat a few things. Nobody is perfect, we all make mistakes, but we all need to own what we do in life, and that is why I trust you with my vehicles. I have recommended your shop many times. You rock!!

[@dude6605]

Fighting a cold. This is just what I need right now 👍

[@donniev8181]

Yeah, I think we all are. There's always a sick child running around puffing out germs around Christmas time lol.

[@cuzzndoug5896]

once again i'm impressed with your diplomatic skills! You exposed there faults and misconducts to warn all of your viewers, and all without a name of any kind. I myself have never qualified, but have been turning wrench on farm machinery since the age of 16, and i have seen less damage on threads after power hammering a nut off a bent wheel stud, looks like they ran that damaged nut on and off that axel 3-4 times. not only have they lost "joe's" repeat custom but i doubt if asked, he will ever recommend them. stay true.

[@E90_Zay]

3:29 Hey Ray, when you do the valve cover gaskets, it would be a great time to show us the valve lash adjustment procedure. I actually need to do this on my J37 and would love to see the job done by yourself before I dive into the DIY. CHEERS 🍻

[@silicon212]

It isn't the actual valve cover that's leaking, it's the VTEC oil control solenoid to the left. Very common problem, have personally fixed a handful.

[@peterstuart1617]

Ive done it .I coverd the cost and my reputation actuly improved because of it.

[@dude6605]

Spot on forensic analysis / evidence. Everything may be a hammer but not everything needs to be hammered to death. lol Put a picture of this axle on a shirt with a similar saying and I would buy one. lol

[@aaronwilliams1249]

This reminds me of what a shop did years ago when the wheel bearing had to be replaced on my father's '66 Pontiac Tempest LeMans. We were returning from vacation, and when they replaced the bearing, they hammered the new bearing in place when it was a press fit. Move ahead some years, and while my mother was driving down an incline, the bearing came loose, and a read axle started coming out of the car. Fortunately, my father had replaced the master brake cylinder with a dual cylinder so the vehicle could still stop. When my father examined the car after the fact, it was obvious that the mechanic had not assembled things correctly, which led to a very dangerous situation. I really like how you always try and do it the right way, not the quick and dirty way.

[@ItsTheCostanza]

Ray is being undercover mechanic with the Honda van. Spying on dealership scammers

[@michaelsecord8862]

Maybe not this exact scenario, but this kind of stuff is why I have a hard time finding a shop I trust. I had a long-time family trusted shop back in Grand Rapids that I used and since I moved away I haven't found another I could trust like them. I'm still not close enough to be able to head down to see Ray for things, but man I wish I did. Keep up the great work.

[@davejaelynefeetham4593]

Sounds like the old saying "the coverup was worse than the crime"!

[@TheTrueCelt28]

I agree with Ray. Let's fix what is broken ourselves. We obviously can't leave this to anyone who seeks authority.

[@mph5896]

First mechanic on the job boggered the job. 2nd time back, shop should have said so sorry And fixed it at no cost. And no need to use cheap china hubs when those races can be removed and pressed into new bearings.

[@jimr5703]

I'm not a pro, but I've done many wheel bearings and CV axel replacements. Ray is absolutely correct on this one. Early on I didn't have the proper equipment and have been guilty of using a hammer on the end of an axel. Only did it once 'cause it cost me.

[@williammclemore5815]

Not only did that shop loose your friend as a customer, they also lost through word of mouth future customers. Word of mouth can make or break a business.

[@j_taylor]

California also has a Bureau of Automotive Repair, which can solve problems better than Facebook.

[@steveberman3695]

It’s super unfortunate but you hit a nail on this situation! My eyes are not as well as they once were and now I rely on a shop that I found a few years ago. I believe them to be honest and fair and always answers my questions. So, good shops are out there. I got lucky finding mine

[@BooneTao]

One bad job makes all honest mechanic look like crap because you now have to always defend why your doing is good for them. This is something I learned working at my uncle service shop. Take your time and know what your doing before you do it and mistake own up to it. Being honest will get more referrals and customers will will come back.

[@larryswearingen8129]

Love how honest your shop is. Hopefully this guy gets a refund and the shop gets exposed

[@snowpro35]

I think it's time to buy Lauren a new van

[@JM-lk6wo]

I think she may prefer the Escalade she has been seen driving.

[@DonaldWells-wk8dc]

Replace it with a Ford Econoline van😊

[@bigscout1584]

Not only did that shop loose that customer but he is going to spread the word to his friends and they will pass the word on to their friends and the ball gets bigger ....

[@JimLambier]

I live in a small town and about a year ago was screwed over by a local mechanic who installed the wrong CV axle and refused to fix it. As a result, I left multiple bad reviews that included photos of his screw ups. Everyone that I spoke to got my story. I see that he is now out of business and I'd like to think that I was somehow responsible.

[@Doug-pu5tf]

Good vid Ray. Service manager at Lithia Toyota in Missoula told me to run my break in oil for $10k miles. That was my first and last visit to their service department. The truck I bought came with 24K “free” service every 5k miles. They refused to do the initial oil change at 5K. Now I do it all myself.

[@ragnarironspear1791]

Hope you're having a great Christmas Ray and family 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇬🇧

[@jothomas8700]

Hi Ray, your diagnosis of the particular problem was absolutely accurate and that service centre concrerned should employ experienced service personnel. And not charge the customer for their mistakes. Thanks, Ray. I agree with your analysis.

[@DarrenSteele-mx3ks]

It's Boxing Day, yet Happy Christmas, Mr. and Mrs.Ray and family! If you run for that office "Secretary of Transportation" then Dave will run your shop and the channel and though we love you, Dave -it won't be the same NO DONT DO IT! lol

[@SamiMetsola]

Ray, you are honest man! Like you. You are like Finnish. We cannot lie.

[@michaeljenner5628]

A reputation takes years to build . It takes seconds to lose.

[@warrenhall-z7s]

gday ray. man you are spot on m8. i have been a bush mechanic for years. no one showed me what to do. i worked it out myself. i have done cv axles and have never screwed off the thread like that. i have worked on cars, trucks, tractors, diggers, skidders, wood splitters. i would look at the problem and work out the best way to fix it. i am an average kiwi bloke. i have been a long time watcher of your channel way back before you branched out on your own. you have been very successful on your own. well done my friend.

[@cb9d90]

i have a 05 avalon, i did the same thing, learing curve..expensive one.. you are correct. in your Theory. By the way make sure that guy replaces the stock axle, with a oem axle. he will regret it down the road. the oem has that rubber bushing on it for balance.. ask me how i know this 😂😂😂

[@Rjhj9840]

I second that. During the process of removing the axle nut to replace the passenger side wheel bearing on my 2010 Corolla, the threads on the CV shaft end where destroyed even with me taking a small chisel and pushing the stake back outward. No biggie, my mistake. I replaced the now ruined perfectly good OEM CV shaft with an aftermarket that did not have the rubber vibration damper, and then I had a very annoying harmonic vibration at 3000 RPM. 1 day later, I again replaced that CV shaft under warranty with another, same brand same parts store, thinking maybe I just got a bad part yet I still had the vibration. I got to thinking about the fact that the OEM shaft had the rubber damper, which I now no longer had for comparison due to returning as a core. I looked all over the internet for an aftermarket shaft that would come with the dampner, though I did not find one, so I purchased an OEM shaft that has the rubber damper and installed it. Vibration gone problem solved, lesson learned.

[@midniteoyl8913]

Yep, agreed 100%.. They didn't open the pinches when removing the original nut, then compounded the problem by beating on the end of the shaft (nut on it or not) with a manual 3lb-4lb sledge until the threads were completely destroyed. Then, forced the new nut on with an impact, hoping it would still bottom out and tighten/wedge in enough not to matter until the next guy had to deal with it.

[@randyarock]

A few years back, I was fixing an auction-purchase Dodge Charger. It is the police version with the big brakes. I was told: the local shop near the police station has the maintenance contract for that department. I pulled the brakes off and lo and behold! They put civilian brakes on this car which was used in high speed response and such. The little brakes were worn in half on the way smaller discs and eventually would have touched preventing the driver from stopping. I grabbed photos of this incompetent work, but the department wouldn’t fire that shop because the department head was best buds with the shop owner. Hey, their lives on the line.