Big Brake Problem

[appstatedisco]

Well yesterday my brakes went out. Not totally, but enough to where it takes about 4 or 5 times the normal length to stop. I would press the brake pedal, it would go about half way, pulse a bit, then depress fully to the floor leaving me to stomp it, downshift, and use the e-brake. I took it in to a mieneke(sp?) and they told me the brake sytem/fluid was contaminated. For a bit of background, I had the brakes worked on a reputable rover indy place that had a guy trained in the UK specifically for LR's, this was abut 4 or 5 months ago. Then I had the fuel pump replaced by Firestone as well as all the fluids, this was about a month ago. Since then I hadn't noticed much difference in the brakes until a couple weeks ago. They had been steadily decreasing in power, it seemed. Until yesterday, when they decided to kick the bucket. I suspect that Firestone used DOT 3 brake fluid instead of DOT 4(which is required in my 95 discovery). Is there anyway I can have the current fluid tested to see it's make-up, or is that a bit too CSI? Also, meineke had said it would be well over $3k to replace the entire braking system, including the computer which they said is fried. Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. In the meantime, I think I'll be getting an old pickup to use for school.

[Disco Mike]

Is there a small Rover shop that can give you a second opinion? You need to have someone check for brake codes.
If you feel Firestone screwed up, you should contact their customer service number and file a complaint.
I did this some years ago with them on a screw up, long story short, they did cover all the repais at a shop of my choice.
So find a shop other then Midas or Mieneke, Rover based and have it inspected.
Mike

[Badger1]

X2 on the second opinion.

[Muddy Oval]

There's no way that "everything fried"

Take it to someplace with a clue- Those Meineke places etc thrive on ripping people off with bogus huge jobs.

[Badger1]

Plus they know your in a bind right now and could tell you anything. Screw em and take it to a place that knows Rovers! Did you have any lights on the dash go on before all this happened?

[BlueLion]

Never, never, I repeat never take a vehicle to the above mentioned business they are horrible. That is the brunt of your problem.

[RageRover]

This is one of the some reasons I work on my own stuff, and use the shops, and dealerships as a last resort, unless it was a recall thing, like my gas tank, which I still need to take in for.

[appstatedisco]

Ya, I'm going to have it towed down the mountain back to charlotte, keeping the receipts ofcourse for reembursment from Firestone. I'll have the LR dealership take a look at it and see what's going on, and foot the bill to Firestone. I'll also have the LR dealership save a sample of the brakefluid for record incase they try to screw me, in which case they're going to have a legal squal on their hands, but hopefully it won't come to that. Anyways, if anyone is up in Boone, throw me a PM and we'll grab a bit of grog. Thanks for your help guys.

AppStateDisco

[FlyWheel]

Originally Posted by BlueLion

Never, never, I repeat never take a vehicle to the above mentioned business they are horrible. That is the brunt of your problem.

X2...
I recently took my Bimmer to have exhaust work done. They ended up hitting the ramp with the airdam...which in turn buckled my fender and caused it to "bell". I had previously noticed the small clearance and asked that due care be taken....I also explained the Euro gearbox...both were ignored...the cowboy not only damaged my airdam he also gritted my frigging gears! After the exhaust work was completed the manager asked for payment for his work...fair enough.....I paid him cash and ask for written receipt. We completed that part of the transaction and no word of compensation was mentioned about my airdam/fender. He stood there looking at me as though I'm supposed to walk out the door like an idiot...without so much as an apology.
He was shocked at my next reaction....."now fix my f'king car!"
He actually denied that the car was damaged..... I refused to speak with him when I realised he was not the owner of the establisment, only the manager.
I was so enraged that I demanded (and got!) the obnoxious mechanic who cracked up the airfdam/fender ....fired...and ended up grossing $5,500 for my frustration.....and the loss of my temper (which I have since thankfully regained). The fiberglass airdam was marred on the bottom..the belled fender my bodyman pulled out with his hands.
What I am leaving out of the story was their attitude. These people mistook me for an idiot.
These are franchises...if the owner does not respond to your need.....call meineke Headquarters. They seem to have a poor history of customer service.