Dealership service center vs a female...

[FlyerGirl]

So, I'm a girl. Pretty obvious right from the get-go. And I know that automatically means most car dealer/repair guys will think they can pull one over on me. You'd think they'd take a look at my Nismo with it's nasty Wranglers and mud flung all over and take a pause. Nope.

Anyway, I've posted this thread today to find out if my dealer/repair shop is trying to gank me because I'm female and they think I should be too dumb to know any better, or if I'm really wrong on this one...

Took my '07 Nismo in 13 months ago because the rear axle seals were leaking. It was under warranty, which is the sole reason I took it to the dealer to get them replaced. They did, a year went by, and now the seals were leaking again. Not cool. So I take it back, and first they tell me the seals aren't leaking, then they admit that yeah, they're leaking, we'll replace them again. Awesome, I say, but this time I want my old seals as proof. I got some 'nice' looks, but they gave me the old seals.

We looked at the old seals and discovered that the mechanic cut them out instead of using the right tool to extract them. So we go and look at my truck to find two sets of cuts into the axle housing for both times they replaced the seals by cutting them out. Now, our thought is that this has damaged the integrity of the axle housing, and is the reason I had to replace the seals again after barely more than a year. And I'm none-too-happy, thinking I'll have to replace them again soon as well. Worse yet, is the idea of having to replace the rear end at my own cost because some guy didn't use the right tool for the job. So I bring my 'concerns' to the service manager. And he tells me they cut the seals out all the time and it causes no damage what-so-ever. He says that pressure build-up is the reason I had to replace the seals again so soon.

So help me out here... do I go back and make a nuisance of myself pushing the issue because I'm right, or do I walk away and let it go, because he's right?

[frontire]

Here is my logic:
1) The evidence of the damage is apparent.
2) The service manager admitted to the practice of cutting out the seals all the time.
3) The damage to your vehicle is a proof by contradiction to his statement that it causes no damage what-so-ever.
4) Either they replace the housing, or you just stop by every month and have them replace the seals on their dime - and you get to return some 'nice' looks too.

5) Or just get an axle housing from a salvage yard and go from there. But there is not as much satisfaction in that.

[dave11]

I'm with Frontire on this. Dealrship is trying to pull a fast one on you.

1 Take it back everytime they start to leak.
2 Have them give you a loaner while they fix yours.
3 Have a lot of FUN with their truck.
4 Have them put on a new housing for you.
5 Have them order a service guide from Nissan for their service department.

[BRUTAL]

You need to get the diff assembly replaced. You do not ever cut the seals out. Theres is no reason, you use a seal popper or flat screw driver always being carefull to not nick the housing with the tool. This is a caution in all service manuals pretty much for seal removal. There are 3 ridges that act like orings on the outside sealing portion where the seal not only has to seal against the housing, but then the lip seal where it has to seal against the axle shaft. Cutting into the housing now renders the housing trashed as the outer portion of the seal wont seal against cuts. So what theyve admitted to is that they gone against standard practices as well as nissan field service manual about axle seal removal.(i looked it up on disc) yes plugged vents and pressure build can and do cause seal leakage.
As well as
improper removal/installation
scored shaft
scored housing
bent axle and or housing
they need to replace the axle and they can try and sneek it in under warranty and stop cutting seals out..or.....
Youll call nissan corp, and nissan regional warranty admin and state whats been going on along with this and theyll not warranty the dmaged diff and make the dealer replace under theyre own dime.
Im a 15 yr dealer tech(hi line brand) and ase master tech.

[FlyerGirl]

Wow guys, thanks for the fast and thorough replies. I appreciate your added expertise, and the reassurance that I am on the right track. The Nissan tech I spoke with at the dealer really pushed the idea of the pressure issue, and while I felt it was meant to distract me, I wanted to be sure before I pushed back too hard.

I made an appointment with my favorite local mechanic, who does all the work I can't do or don't have time to do, to get a thorough check up on my truck and take photos for proof. I have to say, I won't ever buy the stupid warranty from the dealer ever again. I hate not being able to have a choice.

Unfortunately this isn't my first rodeo, either. I had to do this once before on my Jeep (like ten years ago when I was 20). The transfer case needed replaced, and the dealer tried to tell me nothing was wrong, in an effort to push it past the warranty expiration. He thought since I was a girl I didn't know any better. I took it back at least once a week, every week for over a month, until they clued in and replaced it. Dave11, they gave me one of those Olds Aurora v8's, and yeah, I had fun with it, let me tell you.

Again, thanks!

[jrice]

If you can find the service manual for your vehicle make and model, then see if you can find the replacement procedures for the seals. If the Nissan manual makes no reference to cutting them out then you have all the proof you need. Good Luck!

[5speed_Frontier]

Welcome to the club. Sorry you have one of those leaky m226s. Unfortunately they are notorious for blowing axle seals. I have an m226 on my truck with 4.56 gears and its not the stock axle. I just recently went through all this with my axle and ended up getting the entire thing rebuilt at a local shop of mine.

Some people get them replaced and have them leak again in no time. It's kind of just luck and how much attention to detail they have when doing the repair. Most of the time dealer mechanics have general knowledge in everything, but aren't exactly professional differential rebuilders. They should have never had to cut the seals out, however, every time the seals need to be replaced the old bearings and retainers have to be either pressed off or cut and chiseled off and are destroyed in the process. Cutting might be the fastest way, but they still shouldn't be damaging anything on the axle. They should warranty their work and have no issues fixing again, or tell them to give you a whole new axle haha. Glad you don't let them work you over.

Also, look into the vent mod that many of us have done where you take out the crappy little breather vent and replace it with a nipple and a long hose with a filter leading up to the tail light or something.


Here is a thread on doing the axle seals yourself in case you didn't know and it will give you more knowledge to deal with them.
DIY Axle Seals/Bearings - M226

here are some pics of the vent mod im talking about to give you a better idea. Just replace the old breather with a nipple, add some fuel tubing, a hose clamp, and a small filter.

[Cusser]

From what I've read, Nissan dealers seem to rate pretty #%&^$%&%$ low as far as service - and customer service - go.

As to women and mechanic shops: I used to be a mechanic, and I have absolute proof where an import repair shop, a transmission place, and a Cadillac dealer ABSOLUTELY tried to ream my sister, Mrs. Cusser, and my mother, until I stepped in.

In respective order, shop replacing fluids on sister's recently-purchased used Datsun truck said it needed a new clutch and that it's slave cylinder was leaking, but they were "afraid" to just do the slave cylinder because of its condition. I said stop, I took off the slave cylinder myself (with no repair manual), decided the leak was from the clutch master and leaking down. The previous owner worked as a car salesman, the clutch had been replaced where he worked, he saw the truck on the lift and throughout the process while on breaks. Truck never had any shifting or transmission issues in next 15 years.

Case 2. Mrs. Cusser took Suburban in for transmission fluid and filter change, tranny shop tried to sell new transmission, claimed the fluid was black, so they couldn't even change the fluid/filter. They said they'd put the old fluid back in (of course, it drains into everyone else's ATF); later that day, after 50 miles more of driving, I check her ATF and it's "amazingly" pink. Guess what: I'm still waiting for that shop to return my call, been 17 years now.

Mom. She had a used Cadillac, got a recall notice, took it to dealer for repair. They told her she had a heater core leak, like $2K to fix, so she called me. I asked how large was the green spot on the garage, or where she parked, or if she was overheating, or losing coolant into the passenger compartment: No. I told her to take it to my mechanic; he found a loose hose clamp, tightened it, charged her ZERO. Nice try, Cadillac.

All absolutely true.

[poppop]

Originally Posted by FlyerGirl

So, I'm a girl. Pretty obvious right from the get-go. And I know that automatically means most car dealer/repair guys will think they can pull one over on me. You'd think they'd take a look at my Nismo with it's nasty Wranglers and mud flung all over and take a pause. Nope.

Not to be snarky, but why do girls always start out like this. Has nothing to do with your being a girl. They think you don't know anything about mechanic work, that's all. Same thing happens to 50% of everyone else.

Anyway, I've posted this thread today to find out if my dealer/repair shop is trying to gank me because I'm female and they think I should be too dumb to know any better, or if I'm really wrong on this one...

Well, are you?

Took my '07 Nismo in 13 months ago because the rear axle seals were leaking. It was under warranty, which is the sole reason I took it to the dealer to get them replaced. They did, a year went by, and now the seals were leaking again. Not cool. So I take it back, and first they tell me the seals aren't leaking, then they admit that yeah, they're leaking, we'll replace them again. Awesome, I say, but this time I want my old seals as proof. I got some 'nice' looks, but they gave me the old seals.

Good move! Establishes some creds for you.

We looked at the old seals and discovered that the mechanic cut them out instead of using the right tool to extract them. So we go and look at my truck to find two sets of cuts into the axle housing for both times they replaced the seals by cutting them out. Now, our thought is that this has damaged the integrity of the axle housing, and is the reason I had to replace the seals again after barely more than a year. And I'm none-too-happy, thinking I'll have to replace them again soon as well. Worse yet, is the idea of having to replace the rear end at my own cost because some guy didn't use the right tool for the job. So I bring my 'concerns' to the service manager. And he tells me they cut the seals out all the time and it causes no damage what-so-ever. He says that pressure build-up is the reason I had to replace the seals again so soon.

If they damaged the axle housing in any way, why should it not be replaced. You know that right? If the "smart" sm knows the pressure is causing the problem, why not ask him how he checked to verify that and what he did to correct that. If he doesn't have an answer, ask him to fix your truck correctly.

So help me out here... do I go back and make a nuisance of myself pushing the issue because I'm right, or do I walk away and let it go, because he's right?

You should not have accepted the truck with obvious damage caused by the shop in the first place. You've been given good advice about giving them the opportunity to repair it or carry the issue to Nissan. Just don't threaten him with Nissan, nor ask him begging. Just firmly ask him when he is going to change out the damaged part.

Hang in there, nothing wrong with being female, can't change that. Knowledge is powerful, you had the thought, just didn't follow through.

[JettyLife]

Welcome to the club! Where you from? I'm guessing PA or NJ judging by the name.
Goodluck with the axle, you've got some good responses already it looks like.

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