A simple word of warning ...

[Bazzawookooka]

18 months or so ago I had a concern about my trailer brakes when I found a loose calliper mounting bolt. Because it threads into a plate that is welded to the axle, I wanted it checked by a professional. I also had new disc/hubs, bearings and pads installed. My first warning sign was when I received a call saying my trailer was ready to pick up, when I specifically asked for a quote on the work. So, I was placed in the position of having to accept the work was done, and pay the ridiculous amount I was charged.

In the 18 months that followed I have used the boat about five times, so about 300km worth. That was until this week. I towed my rig to Rocky (from Brisbane) and fished with a mate for about four days. So now it's done about 1100km. I checked the temp of the hubs every 300km or so, and felt nothing out of the usual. On the return trip, outside of Rocky, the right wheel locks (fortunately at a very slow speed) because the calliper mounting bolt and sleeve have rattled loose and are gone. When we remove the wheel to sort out the calliper, the wheel bearings sound like a gravel pit.

Back to my mates place, pull the hubs, and to our surprise, the bearings are rooted. Seems that the trailer "specialists" couldn't tell that mine was a boat trailer, and fitted normal box trailer dust seals, instead of marine seals. So our guess is that salt water got in there on the first dip, and every one since. Also, it seems that no thread lock was applied to the calliper bolts, and one came loose, just as it had done before, prompting my visit to the "specialist".

To say I'm pissed is an understatement, not just because the shoddy work cost a fortune, but because of all the possible really bad outcomes that could have been. I have no problem saying that this rubbish work was performed by Sunshine Coast Trailers, located opposite the Ettamogah Pub, near the Caloundra turnoff.

As I said in the thread title - be warned !!!

Steve.

[Triple]

And what have they done to rectify this situation since you notified them of these issues?

[SHOOTER1]

Why do some professionals think it is o.k to take shortcuts. I have said in the past that if I wanted a s#ht job I would have done it myself but am finding that if I want it done properly diy. P#ss poor

[LittleSkipper]

Read & Understood Loud and Clear.


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[Bazzawookooka]

And what have they done to rectify this situation since you notified them of these issues?

Triple, I typed this thread about 15 minutes after I got home from Rocky this arvo. To be honest though, I don't know if I will bother contacting them because I'm not interested in getting into some BS discussion or excuses about why it isn't their fault or problem. That's why I simply posted a warning for others who are considering "professional" work. I'll certainly be more wary if there's a next time. Cheers, Steve.

[airlock]

I'd be tempted to name and shame, at least you avoided any tragedy, could have been really ugly at the wrong time. It might be worth firing off a few e-mails and phone calls, if you can prove they did the work then i would imagine it would be a pretty cut and dry case. least they should be doing is a full refund.

[wardy40]

I'm lucky, as are quite a lot of people on this site, to do most of my work myself. I just don't trust anyone to do the right thing. I just get sick of hearing about this sort of shite. Friends have had services done on there outboards only to have the low oil alarm go off a mile out from the harbour etc. Yes they should of checked the levels before heading out. It usually comes down to the apprentices doing work, but it is the tradesman's responsibility to check there work. How else are they going to learn. I could go on but I won't. Sorry to hear Steve.

[tropicrows]

Why should you have to check if the guy who serviced your boat, car, tralier etc has done the right thing. Is that not what you have paid them to do.... some people don't even know what the oil cap looks like, what are they meant to do. Employ someone to check the work they have just paid a qualified tradesman to do. I know where your coming from wardy. Sadly the service one gets today is generally very average from all trades. If you find a good service person hang onto them, treat them well, and they will do the same for you.

[Andy56]

I am sorry to hear of your experience, its one everyone dreads.
I have run a small business and tried to emply people with various rates of success. I had one young guy who put his foot through a ceiling and never told me. I got an irrate call from the customer after his return from overseas. I just didnt ask any questions put it straight to insurance.
I wouldnt have a clue who did your job, just saying sometimes its beyond the control of anyone. First point of call should have been the garage. You shouldnt have named the place UNLESS they fobbed you off, then I too would support you to name and shame.. The owner of the business could be a good guy too for all you know. You just dont have all the facts available.
I am not looking to call anything on your situation, just a cautionary aproach sometimes avoids a bigger disaster. Just because we are angry, doesnt entitle us to explode. ( oh yea, I have thrown tantrums too !)
You have my deepest sympathy, but just be carefull what you say in public until you have all the facts.

[swof63]

I am sorry to hear of your experience, its one everyone dreads.
I have run a small business and tried to emply people with various rates of success. I had one young guy who put his foot through a ceiling and never told me. I got an irrate call from the customer after his return from overseas. I just didnt ask any questions put it straight to insurance.
I wouldnt have a clue who did your job, just saying sometimes its beyond the control of anyone. First point of call should have been the garage. You shouldnt have named the place UNLESS they fobbed you off, then I too would support you to name and shame.. The owner of the business could be a good guy too for all you know. You just dont have all the facts available.
I am not looking to call anything on your situation, just a cautionary aproach sometimes avoids a bigger disaster. Just because we are angry, doesnt entitle us to explode. ( oh yea, I have thrown tantrums too !)
You have my deepest sympathy, but just be carefull what you say in public until you have all the facts.

Yeah sorry but no. If you put your hand out and take my money for products and services as an expert provider I have every reason to expect that any works and materials are of merchantable quality. If you as a contractor are unable to guarantee your employees are working to an acceptable level you must have processes in place to manage their quality and insulate the client from their errors.

I have no issue with the service provider being named as first response - why should we be expected to accept poor quality workmanship and give the provider right of rectification without recourse? Isn't that just propogating the squeaky wheel phenomenon and allowing vendors to think second try is acceptable?Poor quality workmanship in this instance has resulted in the OP having to repair their repairs and given the importance and possible consequences of wheel bearing failures at speed gives him a virtual obligation to let us all know of the quality of service we could experience from this vendor. Or would it be better to wait for a highway disaster to lend credibility to the OP's complaint.

Get it right the first time - no excuses.

[baitable]

Just a side note: I do all my own servicing on the trailer of a 3.5t boat and I'm seeing a couple of things to raise an eyebrow. The first is the use of auto seals- personally I think they seal better than marine seals. It's the preparation of the axle hub that is critical. If the axle hub is not prepared to a suitable level, doesn't matter if it's a auto or marine seal- it won't work. Secondly- if find it hard for a beating packed with grease or oil to implode on itself in such a short period. I'm guessing they didn't change out the inner race and bearings and maybe repacked the old ones? If a bearing is packed with grease, it will take a while for bearings to go. I'm not having a go, just raising some points of interest. I've been stuck on the side of a road myself hence why I do my own work annually!!! If you're going to name and shame I'd want to have all facts backed up by a report from a qualified source.


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[Fish Face]

Naming and shaming...mmm. I don't think it should be a first choice.
And I do think you do need to be a bit careful if you name and shame at all.. FF

[rtp1984]

Just a couple of thoughts.
18 months without a bearing inspection? And to have no temp issue on arival at rocky, to siezed leaving rocky? Something seems a bit odd.

Secondly, to have the same fault in the callipers, by 2 different , yet consecutive trailer workshops. Maybe there is a design fault, rather than a workmanship issue?

It it may be bad workmanship, but maybe there is something else as well?

[rtp1984]

Just a couple of thoughts.
18 months without a bearing inspection? And to have no temp issue on arival at rocky, to siezed leaving rocky? Something seems a bit odd.

Secondly, to have the same fault in the callipers, by 2 different , yet consecutive trailer workshops. Maybe there is a design fault, rather than a workmanship issue?

It it may be bad workmanship, but maybe there is something else as well?

Sorry, just realised not the bearing that seized, but I still don't think you can hold someone responsible for bearing condition 18 months later.

[baitable]

Exactly


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