No start diagnosis & repair.... $80+
Brake rotor resurface, system flush.... $240+
Tie rod (both ends) plus install.... $270
Alignment.... $80+
The da*n tow was "free" but cost me nearly $350 bucks.... Filed with USAA on a damage during tow incident.... we'll see what happens - 7 to 10 days to hear what they'll do...
Anyone have ANY experience with an incident like this?? What happened? What can I expect?? I figure they'll probably try to baffalo me.
Tech said that rod was bent in the exact position where the chain marks showed from the tie down.... Of course they don't have a digital camera laying around... and I wasn't there - sigh.
Well, that's life I guess.
Anyone else have any thoughts on the 'over amperage' comment that fried the fuse that killed the ECM that killed the truck that swallowed the fly.... oops, sorry - just seeing if anyone read this far...
Anyone else have any thoughts on the 'over amperage' comment that fried the fuse that killed the ECM that killed the truck that swallowed the fly.... oops, sorry - just seeing if anyone read this far...
Thanks again to everyone for the input!
Axel
SilverToy
What all was protected by that fuse? A/C compressor? Fan? ECM? Lights? Cigar lighter?
Also, you can verify the damage to the tie rod was after your truck quit running. If it had been driven that way, there would have been massive tire wear, and I am sure yours has none. Save you receipts, and get the name of the tech that said he saw the marks from the J hook on the tie rod end, in case the towing company balks at the bill. I know if you have lots of documentation, and stick to your guns, you will probably get reimbursed for the damage. The tow company will take the cost of repairs out of the wrecker driver's pay.
Have Exhibit A....!!!!! First thing I picked up....
No there is certainly NO tire wear.... and I did talk to the driver (not the trainee) and he 'conceeded' that he did not double check the trainee's work on the RF corner....
Got a call first thing, from the Tow Co. office asking about the vehicle, if it was something they could look at before it got fixed (Nope - fixed). They did sound a bit more hopeful after that.... til I mentioned that I had the tie-rod and the techs info... They want to set up a time for a 'manager' to look at the piece... Glad to oblige.
I will say that everyone (USAA, Tow Co.) seems to be very attentive to this 'problem' ... and I am hopeful that they will conceed that the damage was done by them. I do know that they shouldn't take it from the driver, but they should deduct it from the trainee! Nothing "learns" you quicker, and more permanently!! than having to fix/ pay for your mistake(s)....
All in all, since the tie rod was over 1/2 of the bill, I can say that I will be happy if I get any of the $'s back....
About the fuse, all I know at this point is that it was the ECM one... Not sure if it is a regular fuse, a fuseable link or what.... will check the Haynes manual at lunch in about 3 minutes. Will report back after more info is available. Still, there was nothing I would consider 'excessive' running in the vehicle.... Then again, it did blow... so who knows?
Tow company manager called today.... said he wants to look at the Tie-rod before it gets fixed so he can determine the cause of the bend....
Nope, it's fixed and back in service....
Well, then there really is no way to determine fault...
Wrong, bucko! I have the Tie-rod... I talked to the driver.... I have the Tech and his opinion ready when and if needed... Heck I even have the shop owner - he looked at it before dis-assembly, and he is 'certain' that the damage was from the tow.... There is no history of ANY damage to the truck, there is NO tire wear...
This is THEIR (tow company) responsibility.
Now just gotta go through the details of getting the I's dotted and T's crossed... and the check to clear...
Thanks again to EVERYONE that inputted on this thread. I appreciate your time and effort!
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