I got to vent! I was driving my rav4 to the office when I hit the brakes and they did not feel right. After two other episodes I elected to take it to the Toyota shop where I have done business for several years in the past. I told them the situation (one wheel locking up only one time and the other after stopping the pedal went to the floor) my feelings that the master cylinder is going (256,000mi).

Well this is the best part of the story. They call me and tell me that my strut on the driver’s side needs to be replaced and that was what caused my brakes to do what they did!?? ???? After telling this guy he is an idiot I asked him if he thought he was dealing with idiot like him. I told him what I thought of his prognosis and told him to look at it again.

My point to this story is how stupid do the mechanics in any shop think the general public is. I would think competency and honesty would be a selling point for anyone. Well the green team got “0” points on this job from me.

 

Gus,

I am wondering if maybe it could be possibly due to a bad strut--are you sure it is not possible?

Doug

 

Sounds like a bad strut to me

 

You are KILLING ME!!!!

 

Well they found the problem the master cylinder! They only want $550.00 for it@#$##^^^&%&. I hope I can make it home without a problem. Thanks for your support!

 

With that many miles you might consider replacing both struts at the same time.

 

The one on the right was replaced about a year ago. The head light bulbs have never been replaced. In fact the only bulb that has been replaced was the right rear brake light bulb. Go figure! Not a Jag!

 

Actually it is the straight rake he move out of the way while chasing the sounds in the Jag. Upon moving the rake out of the path of the jag it somehow got lodged in the brake shield and strut assembly of the Toyota.

The green team mechanic feeling the need to protect the feelings of the most precious customer remove the rake which caused the brakes to act the way they did, but did cause the strut to fail.

Therefore the correct diagonisis was the strut failure; the green team mechanic just choose to not mention the torn up straight rake found wrapped around the strut.

Gus if you only knew the ribbing I took thru my life which allows me to come up with this stuff in the first place.

My biggest one that got me many many many years ago was that some one convinced me that I had square bearings on the rear axle of my car
that was why I had that clicking noise in the back end and I had nothing to worry about. So don't feel bad about the rake!

 

With that many miles you might consider replacing the car!!

 

No! No! I want to reach 300,000+ mi!

 

If anybody can do it you can Gus,we all look forward to the updates!

 

 

Replaced the master cylinder and the left strut was rebuilt. After a letter to the dealership and a phone call I got my $53.00 back that they charged me to tell me what I told them. I got an apology and a request to come back. I also understand that the green team is not going to be in first place this month. So sad!

 

That is the problem with toyota service. This team vs that team instead of giving your problem to the best person to handle it. Not the team that is looking for something to do. I think the service writers are assigned to teams as well, and its all tied together when review time comes around.

At least you got paid for your effort! Did you fill out a job ap while you were there?

 

Are you suggesting that I put in an application?? So they hire me to so I can fire the “it’s all about the money and not about service people"?

 

Something like that.

Kinda a fall back when the photography is no longer gratifying, (like that will EVER happen).