I hope that both parties to this issue end up happy. There is still a win/win left on the table and I would urge them to find it, in private. They will not find it on this forum.

I have read this thread with keen interest. My car is at Straightline Performance for a head and cam installation. After reading these 88 posts the only thing I really know is that Straightline should be highly motivated to make sure that everything on my car is perfect on my car before I get it back. I owe the OP some gratitude for creating intense interest in QC at Straightline.

I checked out Straightline on the forums and found only positive feedback. I talked to them and formed the opinion that thay could do the work. I also believed that they would resolve any problems that they caused with no loss to me. After reading these 88 posts I still feel that way.

I have sympathy for the OP because something went wrong for him. I recognize that buying a head and cam job involves certain risks but nobody likes to see anyone else hurt. The holiday weekend ruined. The child in the car. All of this sounds quite frustrating.

Unfortunately, however, I believe that he compounded his problems by refusing to let Straightline fix his car. He did that for his own reasons and we can't judge the merit of that decision in his unique circumstances. His car is fixed now and that problem is solved. He is out some money and that problem is still subject to resolution. I am not a lawyer but I am reasonably confident that he waived legal remedies by failing to allow Straightline to fix the car. Again, I would urge resolution of that issue in private.

An issue that the OP may also need to consider is that his posts constitute an attack on Straightline with a clear intent to cause them damage. I don't recall the specific words but the OP urged us "not to call these guys for work on our cars." He said that he didn't know who at Straightline could be trusted, etc. If they are damaged by this attack, he may have liability. This liability could be much larger than the amount he is seeking from Straightline. Once again, I would urge the parties to make a deal and move one.

I also have sympathy for Straightline. They may have done something wrong but the way they have been handled here is unnecessarily painful and unproductive.

Best wishes to you both.

 

I am with the shop on this one. You should have given them the chance to correct their mistakes. BTW, most shops carry insurance to cover problems like this. I put a lift on a new jeep I just purchased, did the work myself, perfect or I thought. In one day I had a lug nut rolling around inside the cover so people make mistakes.

 

This could have happened anywhere, and Mike@Straightine has a long history as a quality shop. And he offered to make everything right. We had a similar incident where a customer came in with a vibration under power. First thing we looked at was the dampner since they are so prone to failure. Sure enough, it's wobbling, a sign of impending failure. He has a aftermarket warranty on the car so we have to have the adjuster come & approve the claim. The adjuster comes by & sure enough verifies it....says he sees this alot, but then sees the ProCharger on the car & asks us "Is that a supercharger?" Duh, yes.....so he denies the claim as the warranty is clear that any power adder voids it. Customer is mad, but says go ahead. We replace the pulley, bolt, etc & after it is done there is still a slight vibration. We call customer to get permission to go further & he says no, he'll drive it like it is for a few days & then let us know. Well he takes it to another shop with a questionable rep (not a forum sponsor) and the other shop tells him there was nothing wrong with the dampner & we ripped him off by includeing a new bolt...and said the swap only takes an hour (not the 4 we take to remove the rack, etc.) so the guy sues us. What a nightmare. Turned out fine in the end but when you are dealing with a reputable shop with a proven track record, why not let them make it right when they offer? The bolts are a common well known problem.

Straightline stepped up and did all they could. There are dealerships that would not go that far.

 

First of all I never said who the vendor was they did, and second they have not denied their wrong doing.

 

Nothing personal man,as I don't know you,but it's sounds like you'd rather pick a fight than let the place who did this make it right.Man,were it me,I would've at least been right back there looking over their shoulders while they fixed their screw up.Good luck whatever happens.

 

This is a difficult issue. I believe the OP made his first mistake when he said he expected "a perfect" job. In my years I have learned that at most I can only hope for, but not expect, perfection. I have a personal rule. If you do not demand perfection in me, I will not demand it in you. Mistakes happen, including dumb mistakes. The real test is what does a person, or a company do to rectify the mistake. In this instance the vendor immediately stood up and took responsibility for the error. No attempt to make excuses etc. He then seemed to do everything reasonable to make it right. How many of us would have advised the vendor differently? Of course the OP is not happy. Nor would I be. But what else, what additional penance would you like the vendor to do?

I had an experience with a local Chicagoland tuner that was equally unsatisfactory. They tuned my car awhile back, and at the time of the service I asked them what happens if the dealer has to re-flash my car for warranty purposes. The shop told me that they of course keep the tunes on file and that they would re-flash for a nominal charge. Well, the issue came up. I called the tuner about a re-flash and I was told the following. Well, we saved all of the customer tunes on a laptop, which crashed, nothing was backed up, and the tunes may have all been lost. I asked what this means to me if I need a re-flash. They said, in effect, that was my problem. They will re-tune at full price.

So what is the difference? Both shops made mistakes. Straightline offered to do everything reasonable to fix it, to honor their agreement, so to speak. The tuner said their mistake was my problem and they had no intention of "making it right" per their original agreement with me. Would I now use Straightline? Yes. Would I go back to the tune shop? No.

 

With respect to the broad issue of everyone coming out okay in this, I am trying to help you both by urging you both to try to resolve this issue in private

With respect to the narrow issue of liability for attacks on Straightline, I am trying to help you only. You made the remarks that I referred to in post 56, long after we knew that the "Vendor" was Straightline. That looked like an attack to me. As I said, I am not a lawyer. I am just trying to open your mind to the possibility that you may end up needing one because of this. I would urge restraint and focus on resolving the problem, not on attacking the Vendor. That's all.

With respect to wrong-doing, you have accused Straightline of wrong-doing but they neither denied or admitted any. You have stated your side and they have stated theirs. Without a third-party verification of all the pertinent facts, this is not a useful process. You are both losing, at this point. Once again, I would urge you to seek resolution. If you want to do it on the internet, then have at it but be careful and recognize that it will take longer than it needs to take and that there may be unintended downsides for you both. I would urge you to try to do it in private.

 

I think it's important to note a few things here. Where ever you decide to take your car to get worked on there is obviously a chance something may happen.

Before deciding on a place it is probably important to realize that this may not be your first and only round of modifications through them. Most shops realize that. When I took my car to XXX shop I was intrested in developing a relationship with them knowing full well that good/bad experiences may come out of it. Fast forward one year later and yes good and bad things have happened but far more good than bad. When the issues came up they more than stood behind their work, shop, and most importantly their word. Most of them very minor issues that were resolved with simple communication.

I don't think there is a shop on this board that shouldn't be on "Vendor Warning" by your definition. I'm not discounting the the fact that you had some issues with your install. They should not have happened plain and simple. However, it is a risk we take when modifying cars. Be happy that the shop offered to take care of the issue. We probably wouldn't be reading this had the shop agreed to pay all your outside costs/repairs. The post has turned bitter due to no resolution to monetary outlay after the fact more than the original issue.

I haven't been so lucky in the past with some shops. I could name you countless issues that have come up from very well know named vendors that have been pm'd and have stayed off the public forum, but 99% of those were resolved with good communication and people willing to stand behind their work.

I hope you get a resolution to your issue, you deserve it. However it would probably go lots smoother with a good solid phone call to air it out and put and end to it.

dougie

 

TAKE IT OFF LINE GUYs!

 

I feel exhausted after reading this post. Good luck guys.

 

I know we are trying to kill this beast of a thread, but the point above is incorrect. You are legally required to allow the shop that did the original work a "reasonable" chance to fix the problem. Based on all I have read on this thread, the shop attempted reasonable recompense for the issues the OP experienced.

It is very unlikely that if the OP were to take this to court in attempt to recoup money that he would win. Just my .02

 

 

Here is that bulletine from GM that they are referring to:

Subject: Check Gages Light, Battery Voltage Low, Accessory Drive Belt Slipping or Missing (Install New Crankshaft Balancer with POA Friction Washer) #05-06-01-001D - (02/24/2006)



Models: 2005 Chevrolet Corvette

with 6.0L Engine (VIN U - RPO LS2)

Built Prior to VIN Breakpoint 55111039


As you can see it only refers to 2005 Corvettes up to the VIN number posted. I checked to see if this applies to any 06 or 07 Vettes and couldn't find anything referring to them.

In that bulletine if a problem arises, the dealer is to replace the balancer and the POA washer which resides on the crankshaft side of the balancer. The manual also states that the old bolt can be used provided that a minimum of 237 ft/lbs of torque can be acheived or if a new bolt is installed that its installed at 37 ft/lbs and then torqued to 140 degrees.

The bulletine states that the old bolt is to be used and torqued to 237 ft/bs to verify that the balancer is seat to X depth, then a new bolt is to be installed with loctite on the threads and torqued to 37 ft/lbs plus 140 degrees on the second pass.

I have used this very same proceedure for installing the balancers with new bolts and have yet to have one come off.

 

My question is why is this thread still going...the vendor stepped in VERY early and posted his offer....

as far as I am concerned this one is done...I will read and review to make sure