Stableloads installation problem

KansasKen wrote:
It does take lots of muscle to push the drill up and a longer than you’d think time to drill through the leaf, not to mention going through the two bits that came with the wedge packages plus two more. Other problem is keeping drill bit oiled when your’re drilling upside down. A substantional amount of questionable language accompanied the effort as well.

Spot on....it took our guy awhile and he was a young fella!

Amazing that very few people today know how to properly sharpen a twist drill...

Hard steel drilling require industrial strength bits, sharpened at wide angle, low speed and lot of lubrication.
Most of the bits sold in US are sharpened for soft steel, so even new should be sharpened to different angle.
Than how many shops today have drill that has 400 rpm range?

Not sure about where you live, but in California, it is illegal to up the price after a quote is given. This is through the BAR, Bureau of Automotive Repair.
If they want to over charge you after the fact, then they can refund your money on the material.
I would take my refund and run from that crooked place. Over $700 to drill 4 holes?! That is a crime! I drilled my RAM leafs out by hand using a batter operated drill without problem. They provided 4 drill bits for the 4 holes and I only needed one to do all 4 holes.
Here's a tip when drilling; I used a horseshoe magnet around the hole I was drilling. Almost all the shavings stuck to the magnet instead of falling down on top of me. The shavings can be hot, so wear full protection. I used a clear full face shield I wear when using my grinder and buttoned my shirt up to the collar.

Ski Pro 3 wrote:
Not sure about where you live, but in California, it is illegal to up the price after a quote is given. This is through the BAR, Bureau of Automotive Repair.
If they want to over charge you after the fact, then they can refund your money on the material.
I would take my refund and run from that crooked place. Over $700 to drill 4 holes?! That is a crime! I drilled my RAM leafs out by hand using a batter operated drill without problem. They provided 4 drill bits for the 4 holes and I only needed one to do all 4 holes.
Here's a tip when drilling; I used a horseshoe magnet around the hole I was drilling. Almost all the shavings stuck to the magnet instead of falling down on top of me. The shavings can be hot, so wear full protection. I used a clear full face shield I wear when using my grinder and buttoned my shirt up to the collar.

Many thanks. Interesting, that California law. I’m in Arizona, anyone know if there’s a law against upping the price? A quick google search turned up nothing useful but I’ll keep looking.

mnih wrote:

Ski Pro 3 wrote:
Not sure about where you live, but in California, it is illegal to up the price after a quote is given. This is through the BAR, Bureau of Automotive Repair.
If they want to over charge you after the fact, then they can refund your money on the material.
I would take my refund and run from that crooked place. Over $700 to drill 4 holes?! That is a crime! I drilled my RAM leafs out by hand using a batter operated drill without problem. They provided 4 drill bits for the 4 holes and I only needed one to do all 4 holes.
Here's a tip when drilling; I used a horseshoe magnet around the hole I was drilling. Almost all the shavings stuck to the magnet instead of falling down on top of me. The shavings can be hot, so wear full protection. I used a clear full face shield I wear when using my grinder and buttoned my shirt up to the collar.

Many thanks. Interesting, that California law. I’m in Arizona, anyone know if there’s a law against upping the price? A quick google search turned up nothing useful but I’ll keep looking.

I have a correction;
In my case I had a motorcycle that needed repairs. I took it in to a repair shop and got a quote. When they tore into the motor, they discovered more damage than originally thought. They wanted more money. THAT was legal I think. However, I have the right to turn down the work and cancel any agreement on the quote. And they have to restore the vehicle back to the condition it was in when I dropped it off. In this case, the motorcycle was running, I drove it in. The damage was so bad, in this case the cam shaft was nearly worn in two, that the engine could not be reassembled and made to run. Heck, just gaskets and labor alone would really cost the shop and not me at all. In the end, they honored that quoted price and while I'm sure they didn't loose money, they didn't make as much profit as they might have.
The reason quotes for repair are so high is for hidden damage that would disallow them to return the vehicle back to the condition it was in when it arrived; running.
Hope this makes sense....

In your situation, I would guess you have the right to turn down all the work, including a refund of parts they bought to perform the job if they changed the amount after the fact due to their own miscalculation of how much labor would be involved.

My set of lowers came with 4 drill bits last year - they were hard and sharp - sharpened at a very steep angle. I used my cordless drill, with the springs still on the truck in my driveway. Also used a couple blocks of wood - fulcrum and lever - to add more push to the drill. Cut through the leafs very well, though I did chip 3 of the bits on the final break-through. 2017 F-350.

Rustofer wrote:
My set of lowers came with 4 drill bits last year - they were hard and sharp - sharpened at a very steep angle. I used my cordless drill, with the springs still on the truck in my driveway. Also used a couple blocks of wood - fulcrum and lever - to add more push to the drill. Cut through the leafs very well, though I did chip 3 of the bits on the final break-through. 2017 F-350.

Thanks, Rustofer - in my newbie ignorance I had the shop order the Stable Loads and paid them with my deposit, so I’m relying on them when they say there was “a” drill bit on the invoice but not in the package.

As the shop already has a large down payment I seem to be stuck with them, unless I get a lawyer involved, which could well end up even more messy and expensive. The shop itself is old and well established, with a good reputation, and dealing with them has been pleasant. I suspect they’re basically honorable and care about their reputation but had no idea what they were getting into once they saw the springs had no holes. They say they’re looking for a solution and will call me tomorrow - I’ll update once they do.

Thanks again

You are not stuck with them unless you agree on it.
Whole US has the same laws regarding contracts and states can add only small print to it.
Negotiating is never easy task, but if the shop gave you firm estimate on the job and finds later it takes longer, it is their problem to eat.
On complicated jobs, smart shop owner will not make estimate before inspection and they can charge you inspection cost, but that is all they can before you agree on more.
Not sure if that applies to automotive contracts, but construction law in CA doesn't allow down-payment bigger than 10%.
Anybody taking more can loose his licence very fast.

I only got 2 bits with my lower kit. But they were sharp. Once I got the holes started I used a floor jack to keep the drill pressed hard against the spring so I didn't have to lay under the hole while it was being cut. The metal came off in foot long ribbons.