Episode #14 - Dealing with a Stealer-ship

So a couple of weeks ago, I took my car in for an oil change at the dealer. The cost of them doing the oil change is less than the cost of my time to do it myself. That is where my story begins...

On the checkup sheet, the mechanic noted that my power steering was grinding. This was something that I already knew. The power steering pump on my car had been making noises for a while. Dan just never got around to fixing it for me ;). That was OK because I remembered that I had an extended warranty on the car and the power steering pump was covered. I only had to pay $50.

Before I could make the appointment to take my car back, I did notice that the power steering pump had started leaking. Odd, since for the last several months it had not. Only when I got it back after my oil change. Coincidence?

So I take my car in for the power steering pump fix. The service advisor lets me know that my brakes and rotors need replacing. They can do that for me for just $380 . I can have Dan do that for cheap ;). They also inform me that I need a power steering flush for $110. Funny, aren't you going to flush it when you replace the pump? Of course, I don't have them do the work. Just fix the pump and give me my car back.

Two days later, I pick up my car.

Over the weekend, Dan and I go and pick up the supplies for changing the brake pads and rotors (for a lot less $). We jack the car up and start to take the tires off. On the first tire, one of the lug nuts is really tight even after Dan breaks it. We try to get it off and it just gets tighter. The BASTARDS have cross threaded the lug! So, of course, in a matter of time, the bolt shears off.

Now the car is back at the Stealer-ship to have the bolt replaced. We'll see if I can continue with the brake pads and rotor work next weekend.