MT Mod - The Legend of Alder Circle

When you need some extra "flair" added during a slave cylinder replacement - try MT. This is what I found on my 91 NA this past Thursday... Noticed the skillfull artistry of using a shop rag as a lock-washer when bolting the slave to the transmission. A true Miata specialist legend in his own time!!!!

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1...697/photo1.jpg

... and here is the puddle of clutch fluid that I found underneath the car after the slave cylinder was replaced by MT.!!!

::Rant::

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1...697/photo4.jpg

Who / what is MT?

Did Motor Trend work on your car ;)?

I didn't want to specifically call out the company's name as of yet, I have not confronted the guy about his shoddy workmanship. But, he is a DFW Miata mechanic on Alder Circle in Dallas.

$890 bill
Clutch replacement - clutch now whistles <crickets> when engaged
Pilot bearing
throw out bearing - Major chatter when going in reverse now...
Pressure Plate
slave Cylinder - small leak before - now more like a sieve
Rear main seal - Leaking even worse now

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1...697/photo2.jpg

I guess the guy does not have Caller ID - or her would have seen that the name Laura Miller shows up when I call.

You know...if the guy, whoever he is, did that shitty of a job..and for the bill and title "mechanic" that is the worst clutch job I've ever heard of...

I would not hesitate at all to call this guy out. Obviously this wasn't just a small mistake - it was an outright shitty job by a shitty mechanic.

Sorry to hear about it. Blow up that guys phone until he refunds or fixes the car....

Typical MT jury-riggedry. I thought he/they went out of business.

File a complaint with the BBB...maybe you can save some other soul the pain.

Another victim. Sad, oh so sad.

BMC you have a pm.

A search of the BBB site shows only 1 complaint in the last 36 months, I guess I was caught in the web of a recently awakened black Widow.... However, the company is NOT a BBB accredited business. B- rating.

So, the car has to remain parked until 8:30am Tues. I have a gut fullof fire and 2 more days to try to remain calm.

Any recommendations on how I should deal with this?

:confused:

Sorry to see. Only transmission guy I have found that has always treated me and my father right is Eagle in Colleyville. Every other, and there have been plenty, have been crooks and incompetent slobs. Transmission shops seem to be the carnival people of the auto repair community.

PS -
Next time you need a clutch (or any wrench turning) contact Rogue (Stevan) at Miata Solutions.

First things first...

1. Take it to the dealership along with a copy of the bill and any paperwork from the "repair"...

2. Have the dealership document their finding and do the repair.

3. Sue him in small claims court.

As others have said on the board, you don't want to dispute the credit card charges as that could leave you with a lien on your car.

Once you have a judgment against him from the court, see what it will take to collect it. Also, once you have that judgment you should scan it into a .jpeg and post it all over the world - miata.net, here, and elsewhere to keep it from happening to someone else. ;)

It will cost you time and money, but you need the repair done correctly. Dealerships will be seen as more "neutral" and as an "expert" on the repair since they are factory certified technicians.

RJ

If the small claims court route is necessary, can I sue for the cost of having the work done the 2nd time as well as the monies paid to MT for not doing it right the first time ....? And then there is the question of punitive damages .... (hardship due to loss of transportation, mental anguish, etc, etc...)

You'd be suing to get back what you paid MT. The dealer is just to get it done correctly, to document that it was done incorrectly, and to serve as an "expert" to judge that it was done incorrectly. You get to pay the dealer for doing the job correctly once. As for damages, punitive, loss of vehicle use, etc., you'd be best off just asking a lawyer. Pay one $100 for a half-hour of good advice.

OK .. thanks ...

I had visions of this when I was through with all this headache ... metaphorically speaking, of course...

::BigWhack

This is not the first time people have had trouble with MT. Do a search of the guy and the business name here to see the list of ::BaHump:: he is accused of.

I am sorry you took your car to him, and I wish we could have headed you off before it was too late.

I have since searched here and on miata.net and found a BUNCH of negative feedback, along with the BBB search (which I was disappointed to find only 1 complaint). I've resolved to give the guy a chance to rectify the situation, IF I am allowed to monitor the work. If not, then it's off to court.

I've got spare time along with the resources and fortitude to possibly persuade him to "do the right thing" ...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snide697

I have since searched here and on miata.net and found a BUNCH of negative feedback, along with the BBB search (which I was disappointed to find only 1 complaint). I've resolved to give the guy a chance to rectify the situation, IF I am allowed to monitor the work. If not, then it's off to court.

I've got spare time along with the resources and fortitude to possibly persuade him to "do the right thing" ...

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Historically, he's generally been known to make things right... So, if you have the free time to monitor the work (and the patience), you can probably get satisfaction. Good luck. Somebody please let me know if Miata Technologies ads are showing up in Google Ads so I can take further steps to block them...

What google ads?

Dang Miata Technologies strikes again....... :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sammm

PS -
Next time you need a clutch (or any wrench turning) contact Rogue (Stevan) at Miata Solutions.

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Or Gary at Track Dog Racing. We have fixed a lot of MT's fuck ups.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

Historically, he's generally been known to make things right... So, if you have the free time to monitor the work (and the patience), you can probably get satisfaction. Good luck. Somebody please let me know if Miata Technologies ads are showing up in Google Ads so I can take further steps to block them...

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How's that working out for ya? I still saw smoke damage on your windshield header seal last time I saw the green car... ::Drive2::