Ball joints unnecessarily replaced during MVI

[hermelv]

Just had a Motor Vehicle Inspection done on my 2006 Leisure Travel Van built on a Sprinter chassis. Mechanic and his manager insisted that there was too much axial (up and down) play in the ball joints and that they had to be replaced. After once ball joint was removed, I fax them them a copy of the Daimler AG service bulletin provided by Doctor A in the Sprinter Source forum (under TIN Database). Axial play in a Sprinter's ball joints is normal and under normal use, they don't have to be replaced during the life of your vehicle. The new ball joint behaved exactly the same as the one it replaced. The service manager did not charge for the ball joint nor the labor for this unnecessary work, and apologized. The same mechanic also overfilled the engine with oil (12 litres instead of the recommended 9) and had to come drain out the extra oil while I remained parked off the highway. Needless to say, a pretty frustrating day altogether.

[Fastpaddler]

hermelv
Glad things worked out well. Overfilling is not uncommon. Mine was overfilled and the HI light came on pretty soon after I hit the road. Mine takes 9.5 litres(whatever that is in quarts for USA).

[hermelv]

Thanks for your comments everyone. I will certainly find a new mechanic and thanks Markopolo for the NB MVI manual.

Hermel

[topless]

And some people wonder why I do most of my own work on my vehicles.

[markopolo]

Thanks for posting the info.

You can download New Brunswick's Official Vehicle Inspection Station Manual - Mechanic's Guide here:

http://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/ps-sp/pdf/Publications/ovism-e.pdf

It is handy to have. At the very least you'll know the shop is testing as per the guide's instructions.

There are many references to wear in "excess of manufacturer’s service specifications" but those specs aren't easy to get.

[Dog_Folks]

hermelv wrote:
Just had a Motor Vehicle Inspection done on my 2006 Leisure Travel Van built on a Sprinter chassis. Mechanic and his manager insisted that there was too much axial (up and down) play in the ball joints and that they had to be replaced. After once ball joint was removed, I fax them them a copy of the Daimler AG service bulletin provided by Doctor A in the Sprinter Source forum (under TIN Database). Axial play in a Sprinter's ball joints is normal and under normal use, they don't have to be replaced during the life of your vehicle. The new ball joint behaved exactly the same as the one it replaced. The service manager did not charge for the ball joint nor the labor for this unnecessary work, and apologized. The same mechanic also overfilled the engine with oil (12 litres instead of the recommended 9) and had to come drain out the extra oil while I remained parked off the highway. Needless to say, a pretty frustrating day altogether.

Not good but at least they made it right and apologized. That in itself, is rare.

[KD4UPL]

I'm glad you're paying attention even if they aren't. It sounds like it's time to find a new mechanic.