Hi, I'll have my disks and pads changed for the third time in 5 months tomorrow. Luckily they are under warranty but the garage (Kwik Fit) can't find a reason for them getting warped so quickly (only 3 weeks last time). I hear a rattle when breaking softly while at higher speed I get a strong vibration on the stirring wheel. It's on both wheels and the mechanic doesn't think it's either the hub or the caliper. Three consecutive faulty sets of disks/pads??? I don't want to waste money by going to a dealer and getting the job done there but I am also sick and tired of visiting Kwik Fit regularly. Has anybody ever experienced the same problem?

Thanks

K

Not the same problem, but similar. About twenty years ago I had the brake shoes in my Fiat 126 replaced in a fast fit place, and had hardly any brakes at all. After replacing them twice, they had to go and buy Fiat parts and put them on. This worked okay.

Also when I had a Saab, I had a Kwik Fit exhaust fitted. This made the engine backfire when you lifted your foot from the accelerator, and had to be replaced with a genuine Saab one.

I get the impression that 'pattern parts' are not made of such good materials as genuine ones, so now I just bite the bullet and save myself time by going to a main dealer.

Thanks James. And in fact the garage itself is pushing me to go to the dealer as at this rate I'll drive them to bankruptcy before the end of the year!

My point is that in the absence of any other reasons, their disks and pads are the only faulty parts. Can I force them to buy original parts or to give me my money back?

By the way, I would have kept the FIAT 126: I can see them still on the road when I go back home in Italy!

Thanks

K

What I would do, is go to a main dealer, explain the symptoms, and see what they suggest. If they confirm that the Kwik Fit parts are sub-standard, I would have them replaced and save the parts. I would write a polite letter to Kwik Fit head office, explain the story, and ask if you can return the parts. (This is what I did for the Saab exhaust, and Kwik Fit were very reasonable about it.)

Thanks, I loved my little Fiat, but sadly I don't think they adequately rust-proofed them against UK road salt. The door sills rusted through by eight years old, and although I had it repaired, it still continued to rust, and sadly went to the breakers yard at ten.

Good luck with Kwik Fit,

James

Hi James, just to say that Kwik Fit themselves asked me to go to a dealer as they were clueless. Can you believe it? I got a brake inspection report from the dealer saying that the only problem with the brakes was the fact that non genuine parts had been found. At this point Kwik Fit had no other option than let me off their hook. Got the brakes replaced at the dealership and brought the faulty parts back to Kwik Fit. They fully refunded me.

In addition, the mechanic at the dealership said that the replacement of the timing belt was overdue (I should have done it 15K miles ago!). This went completely unnoticed at the "full" service Kwik Fit did 4 months ago. When I went there to get my money back I asked about the timing belt and their answer was:"we don't do timing belts". Clearly their service covers only areas where they can charge you, for all the rest your car can even blow up as far as they are concerned.

On a final note, for original disks and pads the dealer charged me LESS than Kwik Fit!!! Unbelievable. I'd advise anyone to get a quote from a dealer before going for these "cheap" garage chains. You can bet they won't see me again....maybe only at night spitting on their sign!!!

Great talking to you,

Costa