BMW Dealer broke my bleeder screw during service, who should be responsible for repla

kkkevon · 03-01-2019, 05:49 PM

Hello guys, just want some opinions on what do you think of the situation:

I brought my f30 to my local dealership, to perform a brake fluid flush, and was quoted $225. Fine. They took my car in and 30mins later, I was called by my service advisor along with the Technician who was working on my vehicle, he claimed that when loosening my front passenger side bleeder screw, it was tight and he broke the screw, so he said he's afraid to work on the front driver side and said it was tight as well.

Now I have a broken bleeder screw stuck inside my caliper, and the dealer claimed I need to have the caliper replaced ( at least the front passenger side) and the brake fluid flush is not done on the front driver side since they are afraid they are going to break it too.

I was quoted $225 for the flush, $959 for the front passenger side caliper and labor, with a grand total of $1,300 plus with tax.

I argued I should not be responsible for the caliper replacement cost since it's the dealer who broke my parts.

Who's at fault here?

:

Polo08816 · 03-01-2019, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkkevon

Hello guys, just want some opinions on what do you think of the situation:

I brought my f30 to my local dealership, to perform a brake fluid flush, and was quoted $225. Fine. They took my car in and 30mins later, I was called by my service advisor along with the Technician who was working on my vehicle, he claimed that when loosening my front passenger side bleeder screw, it was tight and he broke the screw, so he said he's afraid to work on the front driver side and said it was tight as well.

Now I have a broken bleeder screw stuck inside my caliper, and the dealer claimed I need to have the caliper replaced ( at least the front passenger side) and the brake fluid flush is not done on the front driver side since they are afraid they are going to break it too.

I was quoted $225 for the flush, $959 for the front passenger side caliper and labor, with a grand total of $1,300 plus with tax.

I argued I should not be responsible for the caliper replacement cost since it's the dealer who broke my parts.

Who's at fault here?

:

Definitely the dealership. Even if a bleed screen broke off, there are plenty of tools that a shop would have to remove that. I can maybe see them charging you the replacement cost of a bleeder screw at most.

kkkevon · 03-01-2019, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polo08816

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkkevon

Hello guys, just want some opinions on what do you think of the situation:

I brought my f30 to my local dealership, to perform a brake fluid flush, and was quoted $225. Fine. They took my car in and 30mins later, I was called by my service advisor along with the Technician who was working on my vehicle, he claimed that when loosening my front passenger side bleeder screw, it was tight and he broke the screw, so he said he's afraid to work on the front driver side and said it was tight as well.

Now I have a broken bleeder screw stuck inside my caliper, and the dealer claimed I need to have the caliper replaced ( at least the front passenger side) and the brake fluid flush is not done on the front driver side since they are afraid they are going to break it too.

I was quoted $225 for the flush, $959 for the front passenger side caliper and labor, with a grand total of $1,300 plus with tax.

I argued I should not be responsible for the caliper replacement cost since it's the dealer who broke my parts.

Who's at fault here?

:

Definitely the dealership. Even if a bleed screen broke off, there are plenty of tools that a shop would have to remove that. I can maybe see them charging you the replacement cost of a bleeder screw at most.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polo08816

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkkevon

Hello guys, just want some opinions on what do you think of the situation:

I brought my f30 to my local dealership, to perform a brake fluid flush, and was quoted $225. Fine. They took my car in and 30mins later, I was called by my service advisor along with the Technician who was working on my vehicle, he claimed that when loosening my front passenger side bleeder screw, it was tight and he broke the screw, so he said he's afraid to work on the front driver side and said it was tight as well.

Now I have a broken bleeder screw stuck inside my caliper, and the dealer claimed I need to have the caliper replaced ( at least the front passenger side) and the brake fluid flush is not done on the front driver side since they are afraid they are going to break it too.

I was quoted $225 for the flush, $959 for the front passenger side caliper and labor, with a grand total of $1,300 plus with tax.

I argued I should not be responsible for the caliper replacement cost since it's the dealer who broke my parts.

Who's at fault here?

:

Definitely the dealership. Even if a bleed screen broke off, there are plenty of tools that a shop would have to remove that. I can maybe see them charging you the replacement cost of a bleeder screw at most.

Thanks man appreciate the respond.

328iX · 03-01-2019, 06:09 PM

WTF lol they told you they broke it and want you to pay for it? hahaha there's no question here.

kkkevon · 03-01-2019, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328dX

WTF lol they told you they broke it and want you to pay for it? hahaha there's no question here.

Exactly THANK YOU brother

cfm56d7b · 03-01-2019, 06:30 PM

It's puzzling that the broken bleeder screw cannot be removed. If this is the first time brakes are being serviced, the screw was overtorqued at the factory and BMW dealer represents the factory.

skyline408 · 03-01-2019, 06:40 PM

1. How old is your car, and do you have service history with said dealer.

I can see it from both sides, yes the bleeder screw broke when they were trying to remove, but what if it was unnecessarily too tight to begin with? Perhaps the previous person had it too tight? That is where service history comes in handy.

It's kind of like a stripped oil pan screw issue that occurs often. Say someone changes your oil and strips the threads screwing in the drain plug. The next person that removes said plug will not be able to fasten the drain plug correctly. Who would be at fault?

/as for removing the broken bleeder screw, absolutely 100% they should be able to remove it. The screws are soft (usually brass) but replacing a caliper for a broken bleeder screw is nuts.

Take it to an indy if they decide they don't want to touch it.

lemonchicken · 03-01-2019, 06:42 PM

we don't call em stealerships for nothing...

kkkevon · 03-01-2019, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

It's puzzling that the broken bleeder screw cannot be removed. If this is the first time brakes are being serviced, the screw was overtorqued at the factory and BMW dealer represents the factory.

I mean even tho as a tech you felt the screw is tight, maybe try other methods besides use force to break it

kkkevon · 03-01-2019, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyline408

1. How old is your car, and do you have service history with said dealer.

I can see it from both sides, yes the bleeder screw broke when they were trying to remove, but what if it was unnecessarily too tight to begin with? Perhaps the previous person had it too tight? That is where service history comes in handy.

It's kind of like a stripped oil pan screw issue that occurs often. Say someone changes your oil and strips the threads screwing in the drain plug. The next person that removes said plug will not be able to fasten the drain plug correctly. Who would be at fault?

/as for removing the broken bleeder screw, absolutely 100% they should be able to remove it. The screws are soft (usually brass) but replacing a caliper for a broken bleeder screw is nuts.

Take it to an indy if they decide they don't want to touch it.

I thought the same why it's so hard to replace the bleeder screw. It's the m performance big brake kit for f30

Billfitz · 03-01-2019, 09:08 PM

It's not hard if they know what they're doing. I'd say it's already been established that they don't. You never would have gotten a call from a competent shop. Bleeder screws break, good brake men know how to remove them, and will do so as a matter of fact. At $225 for a fluid flush they already screwed you, and not in the good way, so they should have taken the fifteen minutes and done it gratis.

jimbobiggens · 03-01-2019, 09:40 PM

It's not much of a shop if they can't get a broken bleeder screw out.

You might expect such a call if you took it to the local high school automotive vo-tech to have the students bleed the brakes, or your cousin's neighbor's mailmans' son to do the work, but a licensed dealer?

However this ends up, I'd make sure they knew I would set it on fire and push it down a hill before it came back here.

RMachuca3d · 03-02-2019, 12:13 AM

Dont forget guys that stealerships now replace the whole component instead of fixing small parts, its less labour they put into the car (typically take considerably less time then whats on the books and what they will charge you...CHA-CHING!!!), more expensive parts sold, and fewer returns for bad fixes they need to re-fix.

Dealer is loosing nothing by telling customer to pay for it, im sure theres quite a few that just bend over and agree to pay... the only thing they loose is dignity (like they care lol).

Unless they can prove you or the previous owner over tightened them, they should be on the hook for the replacement part.

kkkevon · 03-02-2019, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

It's not hard if they know what they're doing. I'd say it's already been established that they don't. You never would have gotten a call from a competent shop. Bleeder screws break, good brake men know how to remove them, and will do so as a matter of fact. At $225 for a fluid flush they already screwed you, and not in the good way, so they should have taken the fifteen minutes and done it gratis.

Thanks for the input man

kkkevon · 03-02-2019, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbobiggens

It's not much of a shop if they can't get a broken bleeder screw out.

You might expect such a call if you took it to the local high school automotive vo-tech to have the students bleed the brakes, or your cousin's neighbor's mailmans' son to do the work, but a licensed dealer?

However this ends up, I'd make sure they knew I would set it on fire and push it down a hill before it came back here.

Oh yea I will set it on fire for sure

paul e · 03-02-2019, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbobiggens

However this ends up, I'd make sure they knew I would set it on fire and push it down a hill before it came back here.

I wouldn’t say anything like that before they do what’s right and fix it/replace it it no cost to you.

Why muddy the water? Why tell them you’re never coming back? Why give them a reason not to fix it at their expense?

Just make them fix it and then just don’t go back.

Billfitz · 03-02-2019, 02:07 PM

Maybe they just need to bring in a specialist for a professional consultation. They should be able to find one at the nearest Midas shop.

kkkevon · 03-02-2019, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul e

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbobiggens

However this ends up, I'd make sure they knew I would set it on fire and push it down a hill before it came back here.

I wouldn’t say anything like that before they do what’s right and fix it/replace it it no cost to you.

Why muddy the water? Why tell them you’re never coming back? Why give them a reason not to fix it at their expense?

Just make them fix it and then just don’t go back.

They did put on a new caliper now I just gotta talk to the service manager about the final amount due

tonksie93 · 03-02-2019, 03:06 PM

Ask for the old caliper back, get the screw out and stick it on ebay

jimbobiggens · 03-02-2019, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul e

I wouldn’t say anything like that before they do what’s right and fix it/replace it it no cost to you.

Why muddy the water? Why tell them you’re never coming back? Why give them a reason not to fix it at their expense?

Just make them fix it and then just don’t go back.

I guess I wasn't clear. After it is all over, the car is fixed and you are leaving - then is when to tell them if they were the last BMW dealership on the planet you would rather set it on fire and roll it down a hill than bring it back to them. Sorry for the confusion.

leejak · 03-03-2019, 11:21 AM

Wow, unbelievable.....the dealer is responsible....would escalate up the chain to bmw corporate....having said that, I have personally broken off a bleeder screw myself while doing a flush(silly me, forgot righty tightly, lefty loosey), but was able to extract the broken screw with an easy out from a hardware store and then simply replaced the bleeder screw....cost less than $5 to fix....

kkkevon · 03-03-2019, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonksie93

Ask for the old caliper back, get the screw out and stick it on ebay

Hahahahaha I like the way you are thinking, I literally found the new caliper on ECS for $600

03-01-2019, 05:49 PM	#1
kkkevon New Member 7 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2013 328i xDrive N26 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (0)	BMW Dealer broke my bleeder screw during service, who should be responsible for repla Hello guys, just want some opinions on what do you think of the situation: I brought my f30 to my local dealership, to perform a brake fluid flush, and was quoted $225. Fine. They took my car in and 30mins later, I was called by my service advisor along with the Technician who was working on my vehicle, he claimed that when loosening my front passenger side bleeder screw, it was tight and he broke the screw, so he said he's afraid to work on the front driver side and said it was tight as well. Now I have a broken bleeder screw stuck inside my caliper, and the dealer claimed I need to have the caliper replaced ( at least the front passenger side) and the brake fluid flush is not done on the front driver side since they are afraid they are going to break it too. I was quoted $225 for the flush, $959 for the front passenger side caliper and labor, with a grand total of $1,300 plus with tax. I argued I should not be responsible for the caliper replacement cost since it's the dealer who broke my parts. Who's at fault here? :
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03-01-2019, 06:09 PM	#4
328iX David 786 Rep 2,009 Posts Drives: 2015 328iX F31 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (0)	WTF lol they told you they broke it and want you to pay for it? hahaha there's no question here.
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03-01-2019, 06:30 PM	#6
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5899 Rep 10,272 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	It's puzzling that the broken bleeder screw cannot be removed. If this is the first time brakes are being serviced, the screw was overtorqued at the factory and BMW dealer represents the factory.
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03-01-2019, 06:40 PM	#7
skyline408 Major 1577 Rep 1,254 Posts Drives: 2023 G80 M3 2022 F95 X5M Join Date: May 2013 Location: Silicon Valley, CA iTrader: (1)	1. How old is your car, and do you have service history with said dealer. I can see it from both sides, yes the bleeder screw broke when they were trying to remove, but what if it was unnecessarily too tight to begin with? Perhaps the previous person had it too tight? That is where service history comes in handy. It's kind of like a stripped oil pan screw issue that occurs often. Say someone changes your oil and strips the threads screwing in the drain plug. The next person that removes said plug will not be able to fasten the drain plug correctly. Who would be at fault? /as for removing the broken bleeder screw, absolutely 100% they should be able to remove it. The screws are soft (usually brass) but replacing a caliper for a broken bleeder screw is nuts. Take it to an indy if they decide they don't want to touch it.
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03-01-2019, 06:42 PM	#8
lemonchicken Lieutenant 251 Rep 439 Posts Drives: 2013 328i blue Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	we don't call em stealerships for nothing...
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03-01-2019, 09:08 PM	#11
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8270 Rep 16,120 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	It's not hard if they know what they're doing. I'd say it's already been established that they don't. You never would have gotten a call from a competent shop. Bleeder screws break, good brake men know how to remove them, and will do so as a matter of fact. At $225 for a fluid flush they already screwed you, and not in the good way, so they should have taken the fifteen minutes and done it gratis. Last edited by Billfitz; 03-02-2019 at 07:50 AM..
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03-01-2019, 09:40 PM	#12
jimbobiggens Lieutenant 839 Rep 440 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: jackson tn iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 335i xDrive [0.00]	It's not much of a shop if they can't get a broken bleeder screw out. You might expect such a call if you took it to the local high school automotive vo-tech to have the students bleed the brakes, or your cousin's neighbor's mailmans' son to do the work, but a licensed dealer? However this ends up, I'd make sure they knew I would set it on fire and push it down a hill before it came back here. __________________ I'm not completely useless, I can be used as a bad example.
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03-02-2019, 12:13 AM	#13
RMachuca3d Captain 724 Rep 943 Posts Drives: F30 328i Msport Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: WA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 328i Mspor ... [0.00]	Dont forget guys that stealerships now replace the whole component instead of fixing small parts, its less labour they put into the car (typically take considerably less time then whats on the books and what they will charge you...CHA-CHING!!!), more expensive parts sold, and fewer returns for bad fixes they need to re-fix. Dealer is loosing nothing by telling customer to pay for it, im sure theres quite a few that just bend over and agree to pay... the only thing they loose is dignity (like they care lol). Unless they can prove you or the previous owner over tightened them, they should be on the hook for the replacement part.
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03-02-2019, 02:07 PM	#17
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8270 Rep 16,120 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Maybe they just need to bring in a specialist for a professional consultation. They should be able to find one at the nearest Midas shop.
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03-02-2019, 03:06 PM	#19
tonksie93 Private First Class 6 Rep 107 Posts Drives: BMW F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Ask for the old caliper back, get the screw out and stick it on ebay
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03-03-2019, 11:21 AM	#21
leejak Private First Class 46 Rep 125 Posts Drives: E92 M3, F12 6401ED, F32 428i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Wow, unbelievable.....the dealer is responsible....would escalate up the chain to bmw corporate....having said that, I have personally broken off a bleeder screw myself while doing a flush(silly me, forgot righty tightly, lefty loosey), but was able to extract the broken screw with an easy out from a hardware store and then simply replaced the bleeder screw....cost less than $5 to fix....
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