Can anyone explain this?

[zishan03]

I gave my car into MercsOnly in Hanwell for a service and asked them to look into a slight thud thud thud sound I could hear when braking. At first they thought it was the roll bar bushings, so they changed these but the sound was still there. I took the car back that evening and everything was fine, except for the sound being there. I gave it back to them the next day and they found the sound was coming from the rear suspension arm (which is still at the front for those who didnt know......like me). So they replaced these parts and the sound was gone, but on my way home, the steering alignment was way out. The steering wheel was off to the left but the car was going straight and the esp light came on. So I took it back to them the next morning and asked them why it was like that and the guy there told me that there is always a risk when changing the part that they did that the alignment would go out which I am not completely convinced with but I may be completely wrong to doubt him, so can anyone tell me for sure if this is true or not?

Thanks in advance

Also, on what may be a related issue, I was driving home today and stopped at a roundabout, when I saw a gap for me to come on I pushed the accelerator and the car started jumping and then would not not move, I pressed the accelerator again but it felt like the brakes were stuck on so I turned the car off and back on but the problem was still there, so I put it in neutral and pushed the car off the road whilst my sister steered. After pushing it about 20 meters with the engine on the whole time, we engaged Drive again and everything was fine. Has that ever happened to anyone before? or does anyone know what it could be? a faulty abs sensor perhaps?

Thanks again

 

[Dieselman]

I gave my car into MercsOnly in Hanwell for a service and asked them to look into a slight thud thud thud sound I could hear when braking. At first they thought it was the roll bar bushings, so they changed these but the sound was still there. I took the car back that evening and everything was fine, except for the sound being there. I gave it back to them the next day and they found the sound was coming from the rear suspension arm (which is still at the front for those who didnt know......like me). So they replaced these parts and the sound was gone, but on my way home, the steering alignment was way out. The steering wheel was off to the left but the car was going straight and the esp light came on. So I took it back to them the next morning and asked them why it was like that and the guy there told me that there is always a risk when changing the part that they did that the alignment would go out which I am not completely convinced with but I may be completely wrong to doubt him, so can anyone tell me for sure if this is true or not?

Thanks in advance

Also, on what may be a related issue, I was driving home today and stopped at a roundabout, when I saw a gap for me to come on I pushed the accelerator and the car started jumping and then would not not move, I pressed the accelerator again but it felt like the brakes were stuck on so I turned the car off and back on but the problem was still there, so I put it in neutral and pushed the car off the road whilst my sister steered. After pushing it about 20 meters with the engine on the whole time, we engaged Drive again and everything was fine. Has that ever happened to anyone before? or does anyone know what it could be? a faulty abs sensor perhaps?

Thanks again

The first isue of hte steering going out is correct, they should have performed an alignment when changing the arm, the second issue is a bit strange and sounds like the ecu waas detecting wheel slippage and backing off the power.
If it happens again turn off the traction control and see.

 

[GazCaff]

I gave my car into MercsOnly in Hanwell for a service and asked them to look into a slight thud thud thud sound I could hear when braking. At first they thought it was the roll bar bushings, so they changed these but the sound was still there. I took the car back that evening and everything was fine, except for the sound being there. I gave it back to them the next day and they found the sound was coming from the rear suspension arm (which is still at the front for those who didnt know......like me). So they replaced these parts and the sound was gone, but on my way home, the steering alignment was way out. The steering wheel was off to the left but the car was going straight and the esp light came on. So I took it back to them the next morning and asked them why it was like that and the guy there told me that there is always a risk when changing the part that they did that the alignment would go out which I am not completely convinced with but I may be completely wrong to doubt him, so can anyone tell me for sure if this is true or not?

Sounds like a lame excuse for doing half a job to me. If the part being replaced is going to affect wheel alignment or suspension/steering geometory in general then testing and adjusting should be part of the replacement procedure. A decent mechanic should have told you this before doing the work imo.

 

[KLP 92]

I've heard alot of people who have had probs with Merc Only in the past. The first prob is the mis diagnosis!

Now in fairness it may have beenn that the front joints had play in them already hence the reason they suspected the front joints, i hope!

Its quit common for mechanics not to redo the alignment after changing the front ball joints. Its only rare that you'll notice that much change after the ball joints have been changed! But they should really have told you that there's a possibility it will need alignment afterwards.

 

[glojo]

I think it easy to point out what should have been done and perhaps a slight criticism might be justified, but to me the most important thing is the quality of the overall service. Has the alignment issue been speedily rectified at no extra cost?


Regards,
John

 

[zishan03]

No, they do not do alignments on site so all they did was recommend a good place to get it done but I went the alignment centre in greenford off the forums recommendation instead.

I have a question, MercsOnly changed the thrust arm bushings about a year ago and when looking for the sound I described to them they suspected it was the thrust arm bushings and on closer inspection they realised they had put the wrong ones in (my car has the "sports suspension") so I guess they put in bushings for regular suspension. Could this have been the cause of them having to change the rear arm they changed? If it would help I can take a picture of the part they changed in order for anyone to let me know if the two things are connected?

Thanks again

And on a side note, the car not moving thing happened again twice on the way to work but a switch off and switch on fixed it each time. I drove half the journey with the esp off and had no problem so......?

Thank you

 

[Kam]

i had asimlar problem with mercs only in hanwell, they had changed my tracking rods and bushes then told me to go and get digital trakcing done from a place in feltham called Feltham tyres.
Once i got there and pulled up in a merc they knew straight away that i was sent down from mercs only and even told me that i am here for digital tracking. (I think they must be getting a backhander)
I mean why could not mercs only done the whole job from me. I give them my car do get a completed job, but instead i get there to pay my bill and collect my car to be told i need to get further work done and its a fare few miles down the road.

Wont go there again.
There are several other stories i can tellyou about Mercs only, but at this point in time i wont

 

[fredfloggle]

i had asimlar problem with mercs only in hanwell, they had changed my tracking rods and bushes then told me to go and get digital trakcing done from a place in feltham called Feltham tyres.
Once i got there and pulled up in a merc they knew straight away that i was sent down from mercs only and even told me that i am here for digital tracking. (I think they must be getting a backhander)
I mean why could not mercs only done the whole job from me. I give them my car do get a completed job, but instead i get there to pay my bill and collect my car to be told i need to get further work done and its a fare few miles down the road.

Wont go there again.
There are several other stories i can tellyou about Mercs only, but at this point in time i wont

Wouldn't put up with that old tosh - if they know what they are doing , they should have told you in advance that the alignment will need checking and adjustment - the cost will be £XXX and take the car for you .
Like someone dying , and the funeral director handing you a dustbin bag saying "we have got the box ready , take the deceased 100 miles up the road and get him embalmed , then we can put him in the box for you"

 

[Kam]

You learn from your mistakes
Well now thanks to this forum i have been able to do a lot of jobs myself. Always thought a merc was awkward to work on, but with the right guidance its been a good learning curve.

 

[Flash]

"Me*cs O*ly" appear to sound like "cow boys" from stories/feedback that I have heard from peoples' experiences. At least if a MB Stealer "botches" something up then there is a good strong chance of having the problem rectified with a satisfactory resolution.