OT. Independent Mechanics Shops?

[Roger Blake]

The trick is to eradicate the Left. That will solve most if not all of our problems.

[Clare Snyder]

We got a recall notice for our Sorento 2 weeks ago and booked an appointment at the local KIA dealership for 1PM this afternoon. I took it in (first time at the dealer - I bought it used) and the service managed did a "walkaround" before writing up the order and came in and told me my tires were "badly feathered" and I should have an alignment for $124.95. Now I had just installed the snow tires - they have less than 8000km on them - the summer tires have closer to 40,000 - and there was NO visible abnormal wear even on them - The tires are rotated every year

- front to back only - directional treads. I asked him which tires and he said all 4. I told him "I don't think so" and when I got home I checked the alignment - exactly 2 degrees toe out - just where I would set it if I was doing an alignment (spec is 0 degrees +/- 1 degree per side.

Sent an email to the general manager - including close-ups of the tire treads - see what happens - - - He picked the wrong guy to lie to.

[Jim Joyce]

That's interesting because my wife took her 2016 Sorento to the Kia dealership earlier this year to take advantage of an oil change special and they came to her with a dire warning that her alignment was out of spec. She called me to ask what to do and I said just get a copy of their test report or whatever they have, and we'll think about doing it later. They refused to give her a copy, but they gave her a blank form with "Needs

4-wheel alignment" handwritten across the bottom.

The tires currently have 57,000 miles and they look fine to me. Still plenty of tread, the edges aren't feathered, no sidewall damage, etc.

BTW, what was the recall about? We didn't get anything yet so maybe ours isn't affected.

[Clare Snyder]

HECU / ABS Module Parasitic Current Draw Test - Brake fluid leak inside unit can cause short

[trader_4]

I don't understand why these shysters would pick something so obvious to lie about. Any customer could ask for them to show them the feathering. Any could take a picture with their phone, send it to others, etc. Seems if you're going to lie, it would be far better to do it with something that isn't easy to see and prove.

[trader_4]

The fact that they wouldn't give a copy of the alignment readout confirms it was shystering. If they really measured it and it's out, what's the harm in giving you the printout? I seriously doubt that any place is going to take the time to do a free alignment check on every car that's in for an oil change.

You can also get an idea if the alignment is out to some extent by testing on the road. On a straight section of highway, steering wheel should be centered. If you let it go on the right side of the road crown, it should gently drift off to the right. On the left side, to the left.

Good excuse for not getting an alignment is you can tell them you have one of those lifetime alignment deals at Firestone or wherever.

I got so fed up with the aligment shystering (see my other post here), where they tried to get $700 out of me for two crap tierod ends, that I decided to do it myself. It was a real pain in the ass, I'd rather give someone $125 to do it, but IDK how you find someone honest. But the car is tracking perfectly, hopefully it's good.

[Jim Joyce]

Thanks. My wife's 2016 Sorento isn't included.

[Dean Hoffman]

Christmas isn't that far away, though.

[micky]

You're worrying too much about this.

Even posting about it is too much.

We should go back to the days when no one told people about recently discovered problems.