edgesportguy Posted July 14, 2016 Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 (edited) Picked up my Edge from the Ford dealer today and got a nasty surprise - a $289 bill just for a 4 wheel alignment! I told the service advisor when I called to make the appointment that I had just lowered it and that front camber kit was installed so everything was going to need to be adjusted. Without any type of prior authorization I got charged 2 extra hours of labor in addition to the $89 I was originally quoted for the alignment. When I questioned the bill I was told that it was because the camber bolts were seized and that the tech had to install a camber kit because there's not enough adjustment in the stock bolts, and that the he had more than 4 hours into it (it only took me 4 1/2 hours to install springs and do brakes) Frozen rear camber bolts I believe, but no one even makes a rear camber kit and there were no new bolts or adjustment washers when I checked it. H&R even verified nothing was needed for the rear. I have never been charged extra labor for "seized bolts" on any repair in 30 years of owning cars. What really pisses me off is that the service advisor didn't even mention anything about additional charges when they called yesterday to let me know it wasn't going to be ready because the tech needed to let penetrating oil soak into some frozen bolts. The tech and manager were gone for the day, so I'm going back to fight with them tomorrow Has anyone else ever been charged extra labor due to frozen bolts? Edited July 14, 2016 by edgesportguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRbillZ Posted July 14, 2016 Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 (edited) I think you got charged for screwing your vehicle up in the first place. Edited July 14, 2016 by DRbillZ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted July 14, 2016 Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 So you were charged for penetrating oil to soak into fasteners? Wonder what the ford labor book says the hours are on that one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted July 14, 2016 Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 Definitely messing with you because they see the aftermarket components. Which dealership are you working with? The one where you bought your Edge? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted July 14, 2016 Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 (edited) Has anyone else ever been charged extra labor due to frozen bolts? Yes. Had a mechanic work one extra hour on a single rear brake once. He finally broke it free with a torch. I paid of course, wasn't his fault and he did what I had took it into him for, new brakes. Your mechanic isn't screwing you, he had to do a lot of extra work to accomplish what you took to car to him for. And who knows how much your aftermarket changes made the job more difficult? You will need to take responsibility for that. It's in alignment now isn't it? He did what he had to do to get it right. Edited July 14, 2016 by enigma-2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinyin Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 they saw an opportunity to charge you more and they did. get them to put it on the lift and show you the frozen bolts and supposed camber kit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fit1446 Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 i installed H&R springs no camber kit is necessary..had allignment done for $90 and everything came into oem specs. H&R designed these springs to allow a great progressive ride . doesnt damage anything on the vehicle and allows for proper allignment..for the guy who says you ruined your edge...its not like he put bags on. absolutely nothing wrong w installing H&R springs. they were designed correctly and tested. your only lowering 1.75 inches. and imo makes the edge look much sportier. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted July 16, 2016 Report Share Posted July 16, 2016 If the edge was older and in the great salt belt. I might buy off on the frozen part, but we all know a short bit of heat and an impact tool. Done in 10 minutes max. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgesportguy Posted July 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2016 (edited) Happy to report the service advisor credited me back $199 after just a brief discussion and no debate when I called the next day. As was said - they saw an opportunity to charge extra and tried taking advantage of it I can understand charging some extra time for frozen bolts, but not $200 for rear 2 camber (and possiblly the 2 toe adjustment bolts (which is all that is needed for those who don't know what they are talking about). The only "extra work" is loosening the 2 brand new camber bolts to adjust the fronts. I would have probably been ok with an 1 extra hour providing I was called and told about in advance since I already new the 2 bolts were pretty frozen. Going to pick up the vehicle expecting an $89 bill, and getting a $289 bill instead and having smoke blown up my ..... about what the mechanic had to do was totally B.S though. Apparently the service manager agreed once I talked him Installing high quality aftermarket springs with only a moderate drop doesn't "ruin" anything. I've lowered 4 cars and a truck in the past 10 years using Eibach or H&R springs and never been charged more than $89 either. 2 of the cars were brand new and I never had any issues with factory warranty coverage down the road either. A 1.5 inch drop doesn't "screw up" anything, and doesn't create any extra work for the mechanic. Rousch, Saleen, etc would not do it if it did. Installing cheapie coil overs or junk springs, or if you don't know what you're doing, on the other hand can cause serious problems and put a lot of strain on the suspension components like the Honda in the below pic If you have no clue how something is designed to work or don't know what you're talking about - don't comment. Adjusting toe & camber is what you're paying for in a 4 wheel alignment. There is nothing extra that needs to be done because of the H&R springs. Edited July 17, 2016 by edgesportguy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted July 17, 2016 Report Share Posted July 17, 2016 Glad it worked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted July 17, 2016 Report Share Posted July 17, 2016 Happy to report the service advisor credited me back $199 after just a brief discussion and no debate when I called the next day. As was said - they saw an opportunity to charge extra and tried taking advantage of it I can understand charging some extra time for frozen bolts, but not $200 for rear 2 camber (and possiblly the 2 toe adjustment bolts (which is all that is needed for those who don't know what they are talking about). The only "extra work" is loosening the 2 brand new camber bolts to adjust the fronts. I would have probably been ok with an 1 extra hour providing I was called and told about in advance since I already new the 2 bolts were pretty frozen. Going to pick up the vehicle expecting an $89 bill, and getting a $289 bill instead and having smoke blown up my ..... about what the mechanic had to do was totally B.S though. Apparently the service manager agreed once I talked him Installing high quality aftermarket springs with only a moderate drop doesn't "ruin" anything. I've lowered 4 cars and a truck in the past 10 years using Eibach or H&R springs and never been charged more than $89 either. 2 of the cars were brand new and I never had any issues with factory warranty coverage down the road either. A 1.5 inch drop doesn't "screw up" anything, and doesn't create any extra work for the mechanic. Rousch, Saleen, etc would not do it if it did. Installing cheapie coil overs or junk springs, or if you don't know what you're doing, on the other hand can cause serious problems and put a lot of strain on the suspension components like the Honda in the below pic If you have no clue how something is designed to work or don't know what you're talking about - don't comment. Adjusting toe & camber is what you're paying for in a 4 wheel alignment. There is nothing extra that needs to be done because of the H&R springs. I thought all Honda's looked like that.....LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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