A potential new customer gave me a call needing a price to replace a wheel bearing on her 2007 Mazda 3. After she approved the quote, we scheduled the service for few days out. When I was about to end the call she asked if we could service her car on a drive-on lift/hoist. This is an unusual request. Most customers don’t know nor care about the difference in hoist types. A regular car hoist raises the vehicle from its factory lifting points leaving the wheels dangling for easy suspension and brake servicing. A car on a drive-on hoist is lifted on a platform while sitting on its own wheels. Servicing the suspension and brakes can still be done, but the vehicle must be jacked in the centre. Most repair facilities don’t use this style hoist for suspension servicing unless they have to because it is far more awkward. I asked why she would make such a request, but I was pretty sure I already knew the answer - excessive rust.
I guessed correctly. She said her previous shop would no longer service her car because it was too rusty to be lifted on a regular hoist. They didn’t want the car to fall off their hoist. Severe corrosion around the factory lifting points meant that the car’s weight can no longer be safely supported when lifted. At that point I also politely declined repairing her vehicle. Just like the other shop, I have no wish to work on vehicles that are so rotten that they can no longer be safely lifted. She seemed offended when I said that if it was in that state, she should consider replacing it instead of fixing it.
One of the reasons severe corrosion causes a vehicle to fail all provincial safety inspections is occupant safety in the event of a collision. Crash tests using corroded vehicles show a reduction in occupant safety by 20 per cent. Years ago, I had an employee whose father was involved in a fatal side-impact crash in a rust-laden compact car. The family suffered additional grief as the police report caused the insurance company to seize the vehicle and investigate and ultimately delay paying out any claims. It was determined that the condition of the vehicle played a major factor in his death.
Please consider the ramifications if you are driving a car that is ready for retirement because of excessive corrosion. If not for you, think of your passengers.
Your automotive questions answered
How much does it cost to replace a turbo in a 2014 Chevrolet.
Thank you - Adewumi
Without your vehicle identification number (VIN) I can only offer up a guess. Your local Chevrolet dealer should offer a retail price of about $1,025 for the turbocharger itself. Add to that $17 for an exhaust manifold gasket and another $60 for the turbocharger oil feed line, which is typically replaced during this repair. If all goes well expect about three hours of labour just for the turbocharger and oil feed line. Labour rates vary and most shops will also replace the oil, filter and coolant at this time, which will be extra. And then of course, don’t forget taxes.
I leased a 2021 Nissan Sentra SR Premium in October 2021. Around December of that year, I noticed the built-in remote starter wasn’t working properly. I took it in on April 27, 2022 to fix the issue. Today I still don’t have my car back as they cannot figure out how to fix the issue. They do have me in a rental, but I want my car back fixed or I want a replacement. They have changed several parts, but still don’t know how to fix the problem. I don’t blame the dealership, I blame Nissan. There was a service bulletin on this issue about the 2020 Sentra. Why was it not fixed for the 2021 model as it is the same vehicle? What can I do? - Rajin
If the problem was the same as the 2020 model then chances are it would be fixed already, so I’m going to assume the bulletin you mention has little value for your situation. Many consumers believe that there is some all-knowing computer that spits out an answer. Sadly, it doesn’t work this way; quite often swapping parts becomes the path of repair when dealing with newer vehicles.
When a dealer technician is stuck, they will call the help line at the manufacturer. The manufacturer’s specialist will guide them through the repair process. You would be surprised at how often several parts get changed before the car is fixed. When the manufacturer sees multiple requests from across the country dealing with a common problem, a team of engineers will be employed to tackle the problem and come up with a specific solution. Patience is your only answer at this point. I know it is inconvenient, but at least you have a car to drive.
Lou Trottier is owner-operator of All About Imports in Mississauga. Have a question about maintenance and repair? E-mail globedrive@globeandmail.com, placing “Lou’s Garage” in the subject line.
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