Last week (7/2023) I went to another shop to check something on my car and I was told by the mechanic that my CV axle was damaged and there was grease all over. And indeed, I saw that the CV boot surface is distorted and deformed possibly by heat. Last December (12/2022) Mr. Griffin did wheel alignment on my car and at that time he told me he had to use torch and sprayed a lot of stuff (penetrating oil?) to loosen the tie-rod lock nut. (He charged extra. And the alignment itself was very painful and will require another chapter as Mr. Griffin tried to fool me a couple of times). Now it seems that Mr. Griffin had toasted my CV boot when he used torch on the tie-rod lock nut (#1 in picture). He did spray a lot of stuff, as that very evening I smelled strong gas odor in my garage, and I emailed him. He said the gas smell had nothing to do with him and some new problem developed on my car, of which later he did not see any when he looked at the car. I also saw a lot of black grease like stuff on the suspension and the inside of wheel. There had been no occasion that a torch or any heat was used on my car before the alignment. A few days before the alignment, I did oil change in a dealership and as routine they inspected the car, and did not report any issue on the CV. There also has been no repair or service after the alignment, except for a tire swap in late March. I talked to Mr. Griffin about this last week and he could not deny it, however he kept saying it was seven months ago, and my car is an old car and I gave him a lot of hassle already. He refused to compensate me in any way, while telling me to write him a review. I am in the process of getting estimates for repair of the damaged CV Boot. For aftermarket replacement it is about $500 from what I have got, and about $1000 for OEM parts. (Whole CV axle needs to be replaced). The rubber bushings for the brake guide pins are also deformed, likely by the stuff he sprayed (#2 in pictures), and now the plastic caps are loose inside. The stuff is like grease in black and greenish color. Does anyone know what it is? Please also see the oil mark on the brake caliper, - I also worry if there will be some brake problems later as the sprays might have well gone onto the brake pads and rotor. I made a huge mistake by going to him, - what a headache now. 7/22/2023 ------------------------- 7/29/2023 I saw that in Mr. Griffin’s response, he mentioned a brake problem I had. This was another bad experience with his shop. In 2018, his technician serviced my front brakes, - resurfaced the rotors and installed new pads. I was happy initially but about two years later (nowhere near 40,000 miles) I found that the two bolts on the driver side caliper bracket were loose and the brake pads were worn to wedges. I called him and he offered to take a look. I told him I was not sure because of the quality of the work done by his shop, and he became angry and criticized me not having spent a lot of money at his shop. Last December I said to him if I had said something that might have offended him, I apologize. That’s all, as I have nothing else to apologize for. I just wanted to get past the bad experience and try to reconcile with him. Well, my good intentions did not yield good results. What a mistake on my part. He talked about free repair, and I really don’t know what he is talking about. This is like you want someone to patch a hole and later you found a larger hole. My car has been abused, indeed. The question is, by who?
I hope you find a better place for you. You came back after 40,000 miles accusing us of leaving your brake caliper mounts loose. We told you we wouldn’t do anymore work with you then. You came back and apologized. We took you back in for an alignment. You made us do it three times because you said it wasn’t straight yet it drove a half a mile without a hand on the wheel straight, then come back after almost 8 months after taking it to other shops saying I damaged your axle and wanted me to fix it for free. You wasted our time , accused us of owing you more repairs or not properly doing repairs on your 14 year old car that you have done nothing to and we were more than in line for telling you no we won’t do what you want. the only mistake we made was taking you back in at all. Your car is severely abused and old and we don’t take responsibility for your original parts at all. When we re did your alignment a third time you looked under your car and it wasn’t leaking or damaged then. Or after the first and second alignment. I’m sorry but you are out of line and have been every time you have come in and asked for free stuff and looking for free work. You have wasted too much of our time and we will never allow you in the building ever again let alone perform any services for you. Repeat offenders such as yourself are not welcome at all. Very rarely do I have to fire a customer. But unfortunately you are that customer. Good luck at another shop. Hopefully you won’t pull the same antics with them… Bill Griffin
- Griffin's Neighborhood Auto Clinic