Mazda Demio Shock Absorber Failure

maxda · October 23, 2016

I have got a demio (2009) model. There was a noise came when the front Right wheel goes over a bumber when inspected by Colonial they said that shockabsorbers had to be changed and both would cost around 50k-60k for replacment, when I checked with a Famous garage in Darly Road and the cost came to 30k and another local garage they it was around 25k. Expecting high service and a warranty I went to Darly Road famous car repair shop.But before going their I waited and used the vehicle for a close to 1 month since it was financially bit tight month.

When I took the car in the Supervisor of the famous shop got in and said my Rack has a problem and it will be needed to replace. Since i got limited budget I said next time and they took the car fora ride. Trusting the people I waitied at the shop(Mistake-01) and they came up with dark faces and said that both shocks are gone bad and need replacement. I agreed and work started. Once they remove shocks , it was found that there is leak in one of the Oil Seal in Axel. (Without asking the price, assuming it was cheap) I said it to be replaced.(Mistake-02). Once removed they said Lower Arm Bushes had to be replaced, With little idea I said yes ( Mistake-03) without second thought since i thought its better to solve the issue once and forall.

They said Engine mounts also to be replaced but I strongly resisted stating that it doenst show any defects/cracks. (They said "bush eka bahala", nice way of tricking innocent people).

After completing the work they took the vehicle for a test drive and Now they say there is a problem with the rack since the tok tok sound still came. When we take our hard earned vehicles to these shops we expect them to find the fault and rectify it. Instead they just play with our time and money.

Until I pointed out that shock boot has got damaged these so called specialist didnot notice it. Funny thing is when they came back to garrage and try to convince me that the problem was with the rack. Options given to me were hilarious.

1. Repair the rack - Cost is around 17k, cannot gurantee and sound may or may not go off.

2. Use a recondition rack - COst is around 35k-40k and no gurantee can be given

3. Use a brand new rack - Need to wait 3 months after ordering so that the Local agent brings the rack cost would be around 100k.

At the payment time hilarious thing is they have charged the labor considering it as 3 seperate jobs. SInce couldnt argue I left the place cursing myself of not getting a quotation for the work initially.

Day after I took the car to another garage near by and he said Engine Mount has gone bad and need to replace that and the cost would be 12k and he will give a guarantee that the sound will go off. The last garrage I visited is in Atigala (Meegoda) infront of Jayaratna Hardwre. I recommendation is to never go to such fake car repair centers.

Invoice is attached for your reference.

Rohnd · October 24, 2016

On 10/23/2016 at 6:55 PM, maxda said:

I have got a demio (2009) model. There was a noise came when the front Right wheel goes over a bumber when inspected by Colonial they said that shockabsorbers had to be changed and both would cost around 50k-60k for replacment, when I checked with a Famous garage in Darly Road and the cost came to 30k and another local garage they it was around 25k. Expecting high service and a warranty I went to Darly Road famous car repair shop.But before going their I waited and used the vehicle for a close to 1 month since it was financially bit tight month.

When I took the car in the Supervisor of the famous shop got in and said my Rack has a problem and it will be needed to replace. Since i got limited budget I said next time and they took the car fora ride. Trusting the people I waitied at the shop(Mistake-01) and they came up with dark faces and said that both shocks are gone bad and need replacement. I agreed and work started. Once they remove shocks , it was found that there is leak in one of the Oil Seal in Axel. (Without asking the price, assuming it was cheap) I said it to be replaced.(Mistake-02). Once removed they said Lower Arm Bushes had to be replaced, With little idea I said yes ( Mistake-03) without second thought since i thought its better to solve the issue once and forall.

They said Engine mounts also to be replaced but I strongly resisted stating that it doenst show any defects/cracks. (They said "bush eka bahala", nice way of tricking innocent people).

After completing the work they took the vehicle for a test drive and Now they say there is a problem with the rack since the tok tok sound still came. When we take our hard earned vehicles to these shops we expect them to find the fault and rectify it. Instead they just play with our time and money.

Until I pointed out that shock boot has got damaged these so called specialist didnot notice it. Funny thing is when they came back to garrage and try to convince me that the problem was with the rack. Options given to me were hilarious.

1. Repair the rack - Cost is around 17k, cannot gurantee and sound may or may not go off.

2. Use a recondition rack - COst is around 35k-40k and no gurantee can be given

3. Use a brand new rack - Need to wait 3 months after ordering so that the Local agent brings the rack cost would be around 100k.

At the payment time hilarious thing is they have charged the labor considering it as 3 seperate jobs. SInce couldnt argue I left the place cursing myself of not getting a quotation for the work initially.

Day after I took the car to another garage near by and he said Engine Mount has gone bad and need to replace that and the cost would be 12k and he will give a guarantee that the sound will go off. The last garrage I visited is in Atigala (Meegoda) infront of Jayaratna Hardwre. I recommendation is to never go to such fake car repair centers.

Invoice is attached for your reference.

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Quote

I think that you have done lot of mistakes here.

You had the opportunity to check the Shocks by an Shock analyzer. Don't believe facts that many repair shops

mislead this point of behavior of shocks when those are on the car. Once I had used a set of front Shocks about 10 years when CarMa*t advised me to change.The analyzer showed that the Contact ratios around 80% for said shocks, when the accepted level of change is less than 50% for front wheels.

It shows that Maka Basses are now at big repair shops (Even at the Agents) in the Towns. Lack of proper training facility with recognized exams/correct licenses in Sri Lanka has led to this situation.

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Vengeance · October 24, 2016

Now, if you had bothered to spend some time on researching about the problem before proceeding with the repair (by searching online or at least by posting on this forum), you could have saved yourself a butt load of cash. Your're not the only person who has gotten ripped off, just do a search on the forum and you'll find several more horror stories similar to this. These people have so much experience in ripping off people that they can tell how much you know about vehicles just by exchanging a few words with you.

This is an example of why you should learn about your car and stick with reputed garages. Anyway, what is done is already done, make sure you've learnt your lesson

Sorry if this makes you feel bad, but I replaced some parts from a local joint last month. L/arm bush replacement labour cost was just 300/= and replacing clutch/pressure plates + throw-out bearing + pilot bearing labour cost (which involves opening up the gearbox, taking apart cv joints, cv axles etc) was just 2500/=.

PerfMad · November 3, 2016

Damn you've got ripped off big time hmm.... I never go to such places. Just find a trust worthy local garage and you can get things done for really reasonable price.. Just to add to what @Vengeance mentioned, i replaced all the oil seals of my honda+ steering rack seals + some steering bushes+new 4liter (mobile) oil can+ new oil filter+some other tiny stuff and for all the stuff it cost me 32000 only including labor (this includes taking the engine and gear box out to replace all the seals)

PS. I used all genuine seals from authorized dealer

Lessons leanrt -> do not come into conclusions without doing your home work properly, otherwise it will cost you alot. Cz these days its really hard to trust these people.

Clark's son · November 4, 2016

The best thing to learn here is to have a trusty mechanic. Do some research abour the issue before starting. And avoid fancy joints who print bills that's an excuse to charging for every small thing. After all if you ask a known mechanic he does it by himself but in most of those places behind those service advisors and all there are inexperienced or trainee mechanics. When they are experienced they simply open a new place.

I had to paint a small dent in a fender such a place they charged labour for removing fender painting it and refitting it separately in adition to the painting cost.

Not only in motoring in other issues also I avoid places with fancy bills and go for experienced individuals