Useless GM Mechanics

sswiss3000 · 08-13-2016, 12:39 AM

So I brought my brothers 2014 Acadia to the dealership because there was a small clunk in the front Passenger side corner when going over bumps. since the car had 35000 miles on it and the warranty was about to run out i wanted to get it fixed ASAP. A day later i got a call, stating that they looked over the entire front end and couldn't find anything wrong with it.

So today a little while later the car has about 42000 miles on it and my brother asked me to replace the brake pads on the car. While I was at it, I decided I would look over the suspension as the slight clunk was still there.

I think the following pictures say it all. I just want to know exactly how hard or many times you have to get hit in the head not to see this immediately.

JerTM · 08-13-2016, 08:06 AM

Sway bar bushing???

sswiss3000 · 08-13-2016, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerTM

Sway bar bushing???

Yes. I have no idea how that bushing got squished out like that. So, for the moment I put it back in and will see if the knock is gone. If so, I will go have a little chat with my GM service guy.

Norm Peterson · 08-13-2016, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sswiss3000

So I brought my brothers 2014 Acadia to the dealership because there was a small clunk in the front Passenger side corner when going over bumps. since the car had 35000 miles on it and the warranty was about to run out i wanted to get it fixed ASAP. A day later i got a call, stating that they looked over the entire front end and couldn't find anything wrong with it.

So today a little while later the car has about 42000 miles on it and my brother asked me to replace the brake pads on the car. While I was at it, I decided I would look over the suspension as the slight clunk was still there.

I think the following pictures say it all. I just want to know exactly how hard or many times you have to get hit in the head not to see this immediately.

Trust me, GM isn't anywhere near to cornering the market on technicians who can't locate this kind of clunk. Even after telling a certain Blue Oval shop that the noise only occurred when the right front wheel hit a bump, they still couldn't find it.

indeed (seriously loose driver side sta-bar bushing clamp fasteners, FWIW).

I bet the clunk was mostly if not always happened when the wheel on the opposite side of the car hit a 1-wheel bump.

Norm

Mr Twisty · 08-13-2016, 10:03 AM

Not a GM exclusive problem.....

Took a FLT semi to dealer, explained the trailer overhead clearance lights wouldn't burn. Service writer wrote, " Overhead lights inop"

When I got the truck back after 3 days, and $148 later, (not paid btw) tech had replaced the dome light in the cab which was burned out.

Inept knows no boundaries.

Norm Peterson · 08-13-2016, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Twisty

Inept knows no boundaries.

Quoted for truth.

The techs at the local Subie dealership (located a mile down the road from their US headquarters, no less) managed to incorporate their own little installation mod to the oil filter pictured below. Twice. Even I didn't think any shop could be that bad.

Norm

Ledzepx · 08-13-2016, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

Quoted for truth.

The techs at the local Subie dealership (located a mile down the road from their US headquarters, no less) managed to incorporate their own little installation mod to the oil filter pictured below. Twice. Even I didn't think any shop could be that bad.

Norm

Really?????? Wouldnt go there again if thats was me.

Norm Peterson · 08-13-2016, 11:01 AM

Haven't been back for any oil changes, that's for sure. Or tire rotations either, but that's a story for another day. Or at least another post.

I was fully ready to excuse the oil filter thing the first time (it was easily caught by the odor of oil boiling off a hot header pipe every time a drop hit it), and I figured it was a one in many thousands occurrence. It was the second time (making it 2 out of 3, and no matter what the lyrics in a Meatloaf song say, 2 out of 3 WAS bad).

Ultimately I think OP is going to find his experience has had lots of company.

Norm

sswiss3000 · 08-13-2016, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

Ultimately I think OP is going to find his experience has had lots of company.

Norm

Norm, you are correct. This wasn't the first time and will certainly not be the last time that a "professional"; mechanic does some crappy work

Mr Twisty · 08-13-2016, 12:23 PM

Ford F250, brand new. Had metallic scrubbing noise from left rear. Took it in, they replaced the brake pads.

Noise is immediately still there. Took it to the garage, jacked it up, spun the lr wheel... brake line is rubbing the wheel. moved the line, no more noise.

I have LOTS of stories...

JerTM · 08-13-2016, 03:07 PM

There are a lot of crappy suspension parts on an Acadia. I have replaced a good amount of sway bar links, and struts. Some control arm bushings and a bunch of steering gears. I don't question when a customer comes in complaining about a clunk in one lol, I know there is something making the noise, just have to narrow it down with a few quick inspections and or test drives. Quite honestly I'm not a fan of them at all, quite a lot of failures across most of the different systems that make up that model (Traverse, Enclave, Outlook, Acadia). Some are good and never have an issue, but most will have suspension, steering, engine, or transmission problems.

08-13-2016, 12:39 AM	#1
sswiss3000 Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS Vert, L99 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Dekalb IL Posts: 360 View My Garage	Useless GM Mechanics So I brought my brothers 2014 Acadia to the dealership because there was a small clunk in the front Passenger side corner when going over bumps. since the car had 35000 miles on it and the warranty was about to run out i wanted to get it fixed ASAP. A day later i got a call, stating that they looked over the entire front end and couldn't find anything wrong with it. So today a little while later the car has about 42000 miles on it and my brother asked me to replace the brake pads on the car. While I was at it, I decided I would look over the suspension as the slight clunk was still there. I think the following pictures say it all. I just want to know exactly how hard or many times you have to get hit in the head not to see this immediately. Attached Images __________________

08-13-2016, 10:03 AM	#5
Mr Twisty Drives: the 2nd amendment home Join Date: May 2008 Location: OK Posts: 14,707	Not a GM exclusive problem..... Took a FLT semi to dealer, explained the trailer overhead clearance lights wouldn't burn. Service writer wrote, " Overhead lights inop" When I got the truck back after 3 days, and $148 later, (not paid btw) tech had replaced the dome light in the cab which was burned out. Inept knows no boundaries. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin

08-13-2016, 11:01 AM	#8
Norm Peterson corner barstool sitter Drives: 08 Mustang GT, 19 WRX Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Eastern Time Zone Posts: 6,990	Haven't been back for any oil changes, that's for sure. Or tire rotations either, but that's a story for another day. Or at least another post. I was fully ready to excuse the oil filter thing the first time (it was easily caught by the odor of oil boiling off a hot header pipe every time a drop hit it), and I figured it was a one in many thousands occurrence. It was the second time (making it 2 out of 3, and no matter what the lyrics in a Meatloaf song say, 2 out of 3 WAS bad). Ultimately I think OP is going to find his experience has had lots of company. Norm __________________ '08 GT coupe 5M (the occasional track toy) '19 WRX 6M (the family sedan . . . seriously)

08-13-2016, 12:23 PM	#10
Mr Twisty Drives: the 2nd amendment home Join Date: May 2008 Location: OK Posts: 14,707	Ford F250, brand new. Had metallic scrubbing noise from left rear. Took it in, they replaced the brake pads. Noise is immediately still there. Took it to the garage, jacked it up, spun the lr wheel... brake line is rubbing the wheel. moved the line, no more noise. I have LOTS of stories... __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin

08-13-2016, 08:06 AM	#2
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	Sway bar bushing???

08-13-2016, 03:07 PM	#11
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	There are a lot of crappy suspension parts on an Acadia. I have replaced a good amount of sway bar links, and struts. Some control arm bushings and a bunch of steering gears. I don't question when a customer comes in complaining about a clunk in one lol, I know there is something making the noise, just have to narrow it down with a few quick inspections and or test drives. Quite honestly I'm not a fan of them at all, quite a lot of failures across most of the different systems that make up that model (Traverse, Enclave, Outlook, Acadia). Some are good and never have an issue, but most will have suspension, steering, engine, or transmission problems.

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