Classic Imports

Write a Review269-469-2007

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At Classic Imports, we strive to provide each customer with the highest quality (not the cheapest) parts and service available. The vehicle in question is a Range Rover, which was diagnosed at a local shop that the severe brake shake was caused by faulty front brakes, which is a common cause of brakes shaking. Since we had replaced the brakes, the customer brought the vehicle to us to warranty the brakes. However, during our inspection, we discovered an extremely dangerous and unsafe loose right front wheel bearing, which was the cause of the severe shake while braking. We informed the customer that his/her front brakes were fine, but that the loose wheel bearing was causing the shake. Our prior wheel bearing repair was to replace the left front bearing only as at that time the right front bearing was neither loose nor was it noisy. We informed the customer that the rear brakes were due for replacement and we also promised to investigate the front brakes again after the wheel bearing had been replaced if there was still a brake shake. The customer declined the repair on the basis that he/she thought we were not honest with him/her and were trying to sell them work that was not needed. We are confident that if any other reputable shop trained in Range Rover repairs were to investigate this problem, our diagnosis would be verified. We have attached a link to the Range Rover video in question taken while it was on our lift. The video shows us using a micrometer gauge mounted on a fixed surface as we turned each hub by hand to prove that none of the brake rotors were warped but rather that the wheel bearing was severely loose and was causing the shake in question. Check it out for yourself. (Copy either of the links into your search bar then click on the 2007 Range Rover Video) _______________________________________ https://www.facebook.com/pg/classicimports/videos/?ref=page_internal _______________________________________ https://youtu.be/AGe-WJ4pSHg

This customer was a good customer, albeit a very discriminating customer. He came in at the time of the problem repair with a bad head gasket and decided he also wanted to "freshen up" the motor as it had around 200,000 miles on it. The head gasket leak had caused some pitting and etching in several of the cylinder walls. We provided him with several options as we always do for every customer. The first option was a rebuild, custom performed and completed by us here at Classic Imports, Inc. It would have increased performance and all work except machining would have been done by our own professional staff. It was by far the most expensive estimate. The second option was a rebuild with all the engine work and parts supplied by one of the local machine shops. We would perform the engine removal and replacement only. The third option was the installation of a used motor of either a stock replacement specification or upgrading to a more modern variable valve timing 2JZ engine. Scott realy wanted the conversion to the 2JZ motor with a turbo, but he chose the low cost rebuild for the time being as money was tight for him. The job seemed to go well and the car was finished mostly on schedule. Soon after the car was delivered, Scott started complaining that the car hesitated and ran rough at times, Something it did not do when it was new... 200,000 miles ago. We performed several repairs and corrected those issues by replacing new sensors and a distributor. Then it began leaking coolant. We repaired some leaks that were caused by machine shop. Several times more the car came back with issues caused by the machine shop (we do not indulge in trashing other establishments, so the name will not appear here). The machine shop left us out to dry. We had to cover the repairs on our own. (As a consequence, we do not use that machine shop any more.) Eventually, Scott was disheartened by the whole job as any of us would have been. Scott was also looking at the fact that now he was in a better position to consider actually installing the 2JZ engine he had always wanted. Eventually, we refunded him all the money that he spent on the engine - $2,500 in cash. We had over the period of time he was unhappy, warranted $5,000 in repairs trying to make the vehicle perform as it had when he bought it "new". The combined amount refunded in cash plus the value of warrantied work to address the problems caused by the machine shop's negligent work amounts to MORE than the total Scott paid for the whole engine rebuild repair order. In all, we warranted and refunded over half the total money he had spent with us in the 15 years he had been a customer. We hope that with the $2,500 we refunded him, he was able to purchase the 2JZ engine he always wanted, and wish him well. He did love that car. Mikail Pinette, Owner