What is this called and is it safe to drive back to the dealership?

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Frankwhoa

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Just picked up my truck for some front axle work and the tech forgot to install a crossmember. Is it safe to drive back to the dealership about 15 mins away?
 

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Zorin

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Without that crossmember tying the front control arms together, every time you hit a bump or go over a dip, it's flexing the frame mounts the control arms are tied to. They are NOT designed to be flexed that way!

Do not drive the truck, and also request that their frame shop certify that the frame is both still structurally sound in this area, as well as not tweaked. The torsional moments applied in that direction would be pretty bad, as that crossmember is not holding those two points rigid.

Tim
 

gofishn

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as mentioned, have them TOW it, once fixed, to a frame shop for verification the frame is structurally, good to go, and properly aligned.
You did drive it home, correct? so who knows whats been done to that frame. DOubt you went 5mph the entire way.
 

aces-n-eights

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I'm just curious, did you notice the crossmember was missing or did the dealership call you?
 

Daw14

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After they replace that crossmember, and an alignment , I would find a new dealer to service anything else in the future. May want to consider an independent mechanic recommended by your family and friends. That dealer would not receive any more dollars from me. That alignment should be done for free ,or I’d take it elsewhere . I don’t think I’d want them doing any more or less then already.
 

LouM

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I'll agree with the have it towed back. If the cross member bolts back in nothing is tweaked or bent out of shape.
Don't worry about it unless they can't get the cross member bolted back in.
 

GTyankee

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Mechanics have a spud wrench, using it & a big enough hammer, everything fits

I trusted my dealership 2 1/2 years ago, now i hardly recognize anyone there , including the Service writers.

Before i drive off the dealerships lot, i check things like OIL Level, new dents & scratches, fresh finger prints on the Air Cleaner, to see if they actually checked the filter.

I know that during a Lube & Oil Change, that 35 point inspection, does not include checking the rear differential fluid level.
My rear differential has a dipstick & they won't even pull it out to check fluid level.

They will not check your spare tire, it can be almost void of air when you have a flat tire.
 

Farmer Fran

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Tow.

And I have to say it, no way in hell does a dealer do an engine swap on my vehicle.
 

gofishn

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After they replace that crossmember, and an alignment , I would find a new dealer to service anything else in the future. May want to consider an independent mechanic recommended by your family and friends. That dealer would not receive any more dollars from me. That alignment should be done for free ,or I’d take it elsewhere . I don’t think I’d want them doing any more or less then already.
I must agree with finding a new Dealership.

We are all Human and will make mistakes but this is beyond the Pale.
If the Mechanic is not qualified, enough, he should have his work checked,
b4 it ever leaves his Work Bay.

In essence, the Dealership is saying that this particular mechanic is qualified and needs no oversight.
This tells me that Dealership needs better Management.

Not just the Service Dept, itself, but the entire dealership,
for hiring and then allowing, the Service Dept management to be there.

Incompetency Starts, at the very Top.
It's the Idiot, in his position, who is 'at fault'
He's an Idiot. It's to be expected.

The Fault lies the Incompetent manager, above him,
for allowing him to hold that position.

And, so on, up the corporate ladder.
 

GTyankee

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All Trusted Mechanics shops have a sign posted out in Public View

Blue Seal Program

ASE : Automotive Service Excellence

Repair Businesses

(Dealerships, Independent Repair Shops, Fleet Garages, etc.)
  • At least 75% of technicians performing diagnosis and repairs must be ASE Certified
  • Each area of service offered in the shop must be covered by at least one ASE Certified technician

Since they closed the Express Lane Service Area & moved everyone over to the Main Repair Area,
They no longer have that Blue Seal sign on the building
Is it because they repainted the building ?
OR ?
 

Marshall

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How the hell could they forget that, maybe the oil change kid is upgrading
I would not be surprised if they have tossed the cross member .
 
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