To be honest, I have not taken any interest in this car since its always taken care by Dad and I rarely use it, I should have, now I realize my fault.
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Originally Posted by Pratzgh1 You could question the service guys for being careless, but that would only help you reduce some labor charges.
As of the car, try and see if you can claim insurance for the same. As replacing the said part is sort of an expense. In the terms of doing so, you will definitely notice many other parts that need replacement or a treatment.
Wish Maruti comes up with a solution for corrosion. Glad to hear that your dad is safe. See to it that you show the service history and complain with proofs at Maruti. Hope you get a good solution through this. All the best bro. |
Yep, there have been times when this service center guys have fouled up on some things though nothing major except once with the player HU. The car has been serviced only with them since it has been bought.
I am not sure if the insurance will cover this and even if it did, how much considering how old it is. I am definitely thinking of taking this up with Maruti, should this have happened while on the highway, can't even imagine...
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Originally Posted by ad3952n There are two main failure points for control arm i.e The bushing where the control arm attaches to the frame is the first. If these are to go bad (as they do naturally over time) you may experience a harsher ride and after a certain point it will be wearing metal against metal which is not good. It could be a result of over-looking on the part of the service people and to an extent on your part as well because the delay in addressing the prior symptoms has finally led to this mishap.
Get a anti rust treatment done to avoid any further rusting.
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Actually I never noticed any difference in the ride or any sounds from the wheels whenever I have sat in the car. So as to what symptoms were there, I never could not feel it, perhaps never bothered to check myself.
AFAIK, I remember Dad saying, he had done the anti rust treatment on the last service or before it. How long does this last and do the service guys actually do it as they should or its just to fleece the car owners ?
I am still not convinced if the drive shaft needs replacement as the service guys say and even why it popped out.
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Originally Posted by Sankar I'm surprised that a corrosion of this magnitude wasn't detected earlier, either during wheel alignment or during periodic maintenance. This corrosion should've been in the making since atleast an year. Is the car parked close to the coastal area? The part may have been defective to begin with or damaged by a minor hit for the corrosion to set in at that area.
Lower arm should cost around Rs.1500 to 2000 and a new drive shaft is around Rs.2500.
The drive shaft might be salvageable if you go to some good garage, there are people who refurbish CV drive shafts. |
Even am surprised because recently I remember that the car had been taken for a wheel alignment. Hard luck that even they did not notice it.
Yes, the total cost is estimated at about 5-6k. What I do not understand is why would they need to really replace the drive shaft. The car just got out from the porch when this happened. I feel new lower arm with the existing drive shaft and new boot rubber would only be required.
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Originally Posted by whitewing Thank your good fortune this did not happen when out on a highway drive!!
On the corroded lower arm:
MASS absolutely has a responsibility in detecting such faults, and it is unacceptable that this has not been brought to your notice.
Try to take this up with Maruti, while this may not help you, at the least this may trigger additional checkpoints in their service protocol.
In any case just dig up earlier service records and I’m pretty sure there would be entries on greasing of ball joint etc. Ask them why they did not notice such severe corrosion.
On the Drive shaft:
It could be that the shaft got yanked out when the arm gave way??
More importantly
a)
b) Make it a practice to peek under the hood, atleast occasionally. |
Yes, even I feel the MASS should have alerted us regarding this issue. These guys are known to be careless, but something as serious as this should not be tolerated. Dad is furious and worried as the previous day, they had gone to our hometown, we are really fortunate that it did not broke when they were doing speeds on highways.
Anyone has emails of higher ups in Maruti, maybe heading South India or anyone for that matter ? Is Dad's concern really valid, after all, the car has been through all the said periodic services, free/paid religiously. Could not they be held accountable ?
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Originally Posted by saket77 I would blame MASS (if you have been visiting them for regular service) and as it may sound harsh, but I would blame you too for letting this magnitude of rust formation undetected for long. Always make it a point to personally inspect the underbody either when the car is up on the lift for service or at the underground/ underbody service bay. Critical parts & systems like these should be inspected at regular intervals. Also, the lower arm & few other systems can be inspected by the owner without visiting the service center too by just bending some back.
The good thing is that it did not happen while driving at higher speeds. It would have been catastrophic. There is an example of Renault Duster incident with similar failure. |
I agree - we should have been alert too on these periodic checkups ourself, but about the MASS, even I wonder how could they be so careless. Infact, the car has been to only this particular MASS since it was bought.
Guys, thank you for you replies.
Now if I am to pursue this, what would be the best way to do this ? I am also thinking of visiting the MASS to see actually what all has been damaged. What should I be looking at as I am not sure as what and where to look and verify. I am not so good in these matters.