Quote:
Originally Posted by Shreko I am willing to take up this issue with Skoda. Let me know. |
My mail to Skoda India's CEO.....Winfried Vahland
& copied to:
Sudhir Rao
Sanjay Mundade
Skoda Naveen <tal_service@airtelmail.com>
Skoda Helpline <customercare@skoda-auto.co.in>
Dear Sirs,
I purchased my Skoda Rapid on 20th June 2014 from M/s TAFE Bangalore, after my brother recommended it, having bought his in 2013.
This car was to replace my 2011 Fiat Linea Diesel, of which I had already grown very fond off.
My Rapid has till date covered 17,998 Kms, almost 90% of these in long out-station business trips.
The car is therefore, a highway runner, & so remains stationary in between trips, after being fueled & readied for the next trip.
At about 12,000 Kms, I started to notice a slight judder on the steering wheel when braking lightly from high speeds (180 Kmph+)
This situation became even more pronounced and started occuring at gradually lower speeds (of around 120 Kmph) with increasing ferocity, prompting me to lodge the car at 14282 Kms for its service.
At that time, I told them to measure the front disc run-out, & give me the readings, as when the first signs started at around 12,000 Kms, I knew from past experience that it was nothing but disc run out.
Unfortunately, the service adviser could not understand this problem and insisted that after "brake disc cleaning" (whatever this means !) the problem will disappear.
Predictably, it did not, by this time the car was already lying with TAFE for 2 days……
After some effort, I was able to get in touch with Mr Naveen, who immediately understood the issue & then set about to rectify things rapidly.
With his assistance, & after another 2 days of waiting for Skoda's clearance, I was finally told that Skoda would replace the 2 discs but not the pads, & that too, under "goodwill warranty".
While I do not agree with this in principle, I agreed to accept it provisionally, just to get the car back on the road.
My logic is that if the disc has run out of "true", it is going to damage the pads by lateral oscillation, there is no question about this fact.
So, if the discs are found to be defective by excessive "run out", why then are the pads not replaced ?
I therefore ask Skoda to send me a pair of front disc pads at your convenience.
As to "goodwill warranty", I again wish to take up issue…..what does this mean ?
I am well aware that Skoda India are already seized of this problem, so why this show of "goodwill warranty" ?
I have also seen documentation which permits dealers to replace discs & pads if this problem surfaces within 10,000 Kms, in fact it is published on TEAM BHP's website.
If you indeed care to browse the website of TEAM BHP under "Skoda Rapid Brakes" you all see that many of us have started facing this problem at around 11,000 to 14,000 Kms. These complainants are across the country & not localized.
In many cases, customers have actually been asked to pay for new discs & pads, with the problem re-occurring in a few thousand kilometers again !
I personally suspect that the metallurgy of a specific batch of discs is suspect.
In fact, have initiated steps to get down a few used discs from your European models & have them subjected to comparative metallurgical tests to see if indeed, the composition of the steel is the same.
Do also understand that this car is capable of sustained speeds in excess of 170 Kmph.
If the components of the brakes are suspect, don't you think you should issue a "recall" & check all cars, Rapids/Ventos/Polos etc as they seem to share the same components & therefore problems ?
There is also the question of collateral damage.
At 120 Kmph, the front wheel is turning at an incredible 1333 RPM or so !!! This amounts to about 22 times per second !! A disc run out of 20 thou + (as was told to me in my case) means that even under very gently braking, the disc is exerting excessive & pulsating lateral pressure 22 times per second on the pads !! While the pads will take the wear & self destruct, albeit prematurely, what about the effect of these lateral forces on the CV joints ? The steering components ? The final drive & gear box components ?
I trust you will kindly address the above with the importance it deserves.
I look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
Shramik Masturlal
Masturlal Private Limited
Masturlal Cords & Ropes Pvt Ltd
7th Mile Bannerghatta Road, Arakere,
Bangalore 560076
Telephones: +91 80 26581756, 26583756, 26583491, 26585491
Fax: +91 80 2658 0338, 2658 5667