Ghia Wheels - Dealer Damage

[Guest blatters]

I can see where the dealer has been using a scewdriver to lever the central caps off my Ghia when it's been going in for a service.

 

The caps are OK but the lacquer on the alloys has been damaged and water has been getting under it causing white / black discolouration. At first it was quite small but the water seepage is growing.

 

The car's 2yrs / 40k old. I'll be sticking my steel wheels / winter tyres on soon and will take the opportunity to have the alloys repaired.

 

I don't think there is much point trying to argue with my dealer (don't want to ruin the relationship and I reckon they'll never accept responsibility).

 

But someone said on this site that they have a special tool that they should use when removing the wheels. That's what I want to talk to them about because I don't want my repaired wheels ruined in the same way next year.

 

Anyone know what I'm referring to? The tool I mean?

 

Regards.

 

Blatters

[Guest vr6galaxy]

The tool should be clipped into a slot on the jack mounting bracket? there are two types! a single point and a twin point version, I think on the Galaxy you only get the single point version? funnily enough I happen to have one with me so give a moment and I post a picture of it :unsure:

[seatkid]

I don't think there is much point trying to argue with my dealer (don't want to ruin the relationship and I reckon they'll never accept responsibility).

:unsure: ...you know what they say about tortoises crossing a busy road.......

[Guest vr6galaxy]

As promised..............

[seatkid]

Must say your seat trim is a bit girly..... :unsure:

[Guest vr6galaxy]

:unsure: I got it out an Alhambra, looks fine to me? but then again I am colour blind :lol:

[gregers]

i think he was refering to the breast it was sitting on :P :P :P

[Guest vr6galaxy]

i think he was refering to the breast it was sitting on :P :P :P

That's my knee :o if your experience of breasts is when they are that low! get the mrs a better bra or chat up some younger lady's with firmer body parts :P

[seatkid]

remember...gregs is still waiting for a reply to his ad.....

[Guest blatters]

Thanks guys.

 

Can't say I remember seeing this hi-tech piece of equipment at any time but it would have passed e by - so I'll check.

 

Blatters.

[Denis]

Hey guys the 'special tool' is an allen key- if the one that Ford clipped to the jack when the car left the factory is missing, the main dealer simply has to use a normal allen key instead.

 

There is no excuse for this sloppy service, if they can't be bothered to perform this simple task correctly what else are they skimping on when they service our engines/ brakes!

 

You might have guessed, all four of my Ghia wheels/ covers have been ruined by the local dealer. http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/style_emoticons/default/thumbdown.gif

[Guest blatters]

Denis,

 

They might be skimping on my cambelt change?????

 

See the other topic - 40k service charge competition. :angry:

 

Regards

 

Blatters

[shefki]

When I bought my Gal in January all 4 wheels had some slight lacquer damage which was starting to allow water in and corrode the polished surface.

 

I went to my local body shop who advertised alloy refurbs and he said it was because Ford have lacquered the polished Alloy surface rather than painting then adding lacquer. This gives a better finish when new but the lacquer will never stay stuck to metal as it's designed to bond to paint.

 

I'm now having all 4 alloys stripped and resprayed in silver (was going to go for a blueish tint to the silver but the caps are a bugger to spray) and there will be no polished surface to go bad later.

[Guest blatters]

OK, took my damaged alloys up with the dealer (at same time as complaining about the 40k cambelt change being missed).

 

Dealer inspected the wheels and simply stated that the evidence was conclusive that the damage had been caused by them on all four wheels.

 

When the wheels are changed in November onto winter tyres / steel wheels the dealer has agreed to have them refurbished through their in-house specialist. I'm told that he does a good job and I'll never know that there was any damage in the first place. They didn't actually state that this will be at no cost or contribution from me but I'm hoping???

 

And the lads in the service team are going to have a chat about it all.........

 

Dealer apologises and has done so without any argument or ill feeling. Can't say fairer than that right now. Hopefully, the correction of the damage will be

[Guest vr6galaxy]

Did you find the tool in the boot?

[Guest blatters]

Hmm, haven't looked yet.

 

But the dealer sure appreciated the email thread with the image - so thanks.

 

I'll have a look at the weekend.

 

Best wishes.

 

Blatters

[Denis]

OK, took my damaged alloys up with the dealer (at same time as complaining about the 40k cambelt change being missed).

 

Dealer inspected the wheels and simply stated that the evidence was conclusive that the damage had been caused by them on all four wheels.

 

When the wheels are changed in November onto winter tyres / steel wheels the dealer has agreed to have them refurbished through their in-house specialist.  I'm told that he does a good job and I'll never know that there was any damage in the first place.  They didn't actually state that this will be at no cost or contribution from me but I'm hoping???

 

And the lads in the service team are going to have a chat about it all.........

 

Dealer apologises and has done so without any argument or ill feeling.  Can't say fairer than that right now.  Hopefully, the correction of the damage will be

[jkspoff]

Since having my centre caps destroyed by the main dealers etc, I have invested in a new set, I always take them off with the 'tool' before dropping it off at a garage. I mentioned to my main dealer a while ago about this special 'tool' and they didn't even believe me ! So I took the service manager outside and showed him where its kept......he was gob smacked, 15 years he had worked there, and he had no idea about this tool. I don't believe there is any special training whatsoever on individual vehicle differences.... :) if there is, its very poor.

[Guest blatters]

Hi VR6Galaxy,

 

Opened up the side locker on the Galaxy today (Tuesday) as I had to change the rear o/s tail lamp which had blown.

 

I saw the little hook thing clipped into the jack. But how does it work?

 

I thought it would simply slot into the centre hubs but it's too thin for that.

 

Checked the owner's manual but that's no clearer.

 

Feel I should know the answer and that it will be simple but I thought it best to ask. The idea of removing the centre hubs before sending the Galaxy to the dealer in future seems a good idea.

 

Thanks for your help so far.

 

Regards

 

Blatters

[Denis]

Hi VR6Galaxy,

 

Opened up the side locker on the Galaxy today (Tuesday) as I had to change the rear o/s tail lamp which had blown.

 

I saw the little hook thing clipped into the jack.  But how does it work?

 

I thought it would simply slot into the centre hubs but it's too thin for that.

 

Checked the owner's manual but that's no clearer.

 

Feel I should know the answer and that it will be simple but I thought it best to ask. The idea of removing the centre hubs before sending the Galaxy to the dealer in future seems a good idea.

 

Thanks for your help so far.

 

Regards

 

Blatters

Blatters you just put the hook inside one of the allen key holes and pull, off it comes. http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/style_emoticons/default/Thumbup.gif

[Guest blatters]

Denis,

 

I'll have another go tomorrow (if it stops raining - it started again last night and still hasn't stopped, drawbridge back up on the Ark!).

 

I tried that on the centre hubs on two wheels and they were both really on tight. The edges of the centre hubs began to lift on the allen key side that was being pulled but they would not ping off. Instead, the soft inner metal of the fake allen key holes just started to break up.

 

Hmm, this seems so simple and yet I don't get it. Do you undo the Allen key bolts - forgive me if you do and this is a stupid question but I thought they were fake.

 

Is there anything I'm missing - start right at the beginning (you can skip "walk to your car").

 

Stay patient guys. :lol:

 

Blatters :(

[Denis]

Denis,

 

I'll have another go tomorrow (if it stops raining - it started again last night and still hasn't stopped, drawbridge back up on the Ark!).

 

I tried that on the centre hubs on two wheels and they were both really on tight.  The edges of the centre hubs began to lift on the allen key side that was being pulled but they would not ping off.  Instead, the soft inner metal of the fake allen key holes just started to break up.

 

Hmm, this seems so simple and yet I don't get it.  Do you undo the Allen key bolts - forgive me if you do and this is a stupid question but I thought they were fake.

 

Is there anything I'm missing - start right at the beginning (you can skip "walk to your car").

 

Stay patient guys. :lol:

 

Blatters :(

Oh dear :lol: blatters, try different allen keys holes (they are all fake), the closer you get to the 'key' (you'll see what I mean when you get one off) the easier it gets. I have used a real allen key on mine, it's easier to use than the tool Ford supply.

[Guest blatters]

Denis,

 

I think I am beginning to understand. I'll use a proper Allen Key tomorrow and move it around the slots until I get to the one that does the job.

 

I'll let you know.

 

Regards.

 

Blatters. :(

 

PS. That Ford thing is a bit pathetic.

[Guest vr6galaxy]

 

PS. That Ford thing is a bit pathetic.

Huh :lol: as per usual a bad workman always blames his tools! :(

[iainkirk]

My alloys are all completely fooked with lacquer damage.

 

Must get them refurbed soon!