Purchased a Car Part, Had It Installed and It Was Broken

[maxshuty]

My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: MN

I purchased a used rear axle from a place and they gave me a "6 month parts warranty" with it, total cost of it was $712. I brought it to a mechanic and he installed it, and it is broke and doesnt work. So my question is should the place I purchased from have to reimburse me for the install? Its a part that needs a mechanic to install, not a common DIY job. It also is a defective part from the start (bent axle shaft to be specific). Now it needs to be replaced again. It doesn't seem fair that they could sell a product that's already broke and costs me to install it then I have to pay for it to be removed and have another one installed... The price is round $200 for the install itself so it'll be another $200 to re do everything... Help!?

[Mr. Knowitall]

A six month parts warranty is normally exactly that - a warranty on the part, and nothing more. You can read the warranty to determine its exact terms.

[maxshuty]

Ill give it a read, seems idiotic they can sell broken parts that you really can't tell are broken until you get them in the car, then not have to cover anything. I'd really be upset of this were a $1000+ transmission job, which I'm sure happens all the time too. It's like if you went to the hospital for a major transplant surgery and you wake up and they say "we put a bad [whatever body part] in you, pay us again to re operate and we will make sure we put the right one in." I'm sure that wouldn't be legal

[jk]

this is why it is often better to have the installer provide the parts. In your situation, if that had been the case, the replacement would cost you nothing unless they specifically stated they made no promises the part they were installing was usable. That would be a very unusual and unlikely scenario and if faced with that possibility, I would go elsewhere for my work.

your medical analogy is similar to my scenario which is obviously quite different than your situation.

but just so you realize; the medical situation would play out exactly like your current situation. You would be charged, full price, to install a second heart, lung, liver, or whatever PLUS the cost of the part. There are no warranties on human body parts.

[souperdave]

It's a risky endeavor to ever buy a used auto part, especially something large like a rear-end or tranny. A bent axle can be replaced without having to transplant the entire rear-end housing though....unless the mechanic is trying to take you for a ride.

Talk to your mechanic and see if there's another way of doing things instead of a total re-do. Then get the replacement part(s) from the place that warranted your original purchase. If it's a 'standard' sort of rear-wheel drive vehicle, replacing an axle is actually a relatively simple job except for removing/reinstalling bearings and races, which really does not require a high degree of rocket science and should incur significantly smaller labor charges.

This way could ease the pain on your wallet somewhat and get ya back on the highway.

[jk]

It's a risky endeavor to ever buy a used auto part, especially something large like a rear-end or tranny. A bent axle can be replaced without having to transplant the entire rear-end housing though....unless the mechanic is trying to take you for a ride.

Talk to your mechanic and see if there's another way of doing things instead of a total re-do. Then get the replacement part(s) from the place that warranted your original purchase. If it's a 'standard' sort of rear-wheel drive vehicle, replacing an axle is actually a relatively simple job except for removing/reinstalling bearings and races, which really does not require a high degree of rocket science and should incur significantly smaller labor charges.

This way could ease the pain on your wallet somewhat and get ya back on the highway.

If it's a floating axle (c clip in the diff), you don't have to press the bearing or seal. Last time I did one I took out both axles and used a really long rod as a drift and drove the bearings out from the opposite side.

the only problem I run across with c-clip diffs is when somebody breaks off the retaining bolt for the cross shaft in the diff.

[souperdave]

C-clips are primarily a GM feature if memory serves. Been a long time since I've been on the inside of a differential. Seem to recall using some sorta gear puller to extricate the bearings and their races.

If it's a Ford diff, like a 9-inch model, the outside bearings have to be pressed off/on. That memory serves rather well 'cause I salvaged a '74 Mercury Comet many moons ago and built neat little hotrod outta it. (400 Windsor, bullet-proof C6, 9-inch rear, tubbed with Mickey Thompson M-50s.....)

But I digress.

[joythomas]

Dear this is only repair or maintenance warranty only and And there is something no issue for warranty.
spousal maintenance

[jk]

C-clips are primarily a GM feature if memory serves. Been a long time since I've been on the inside of a differential. Seem to recall using some sorta gear puller to extricate the bearings and their races.

If it's a Ford diff, like a 9-inch model, the outside bearings have to be pressed off/on. That memory serves rather well 'cause I salvaged a '74 Mercury Comet many moons ago and built neat little hotrod outta it. (400 Windsor, bullet-proof C6, 9-inch rear, tubbed with Mickey Thompson M-50s.....)

But I digress.

nope. not just GM. 98 f-150 (don't know the model series diff) has c clips.

and no puller. just a really long (like reaches through the axle housing to the other side) drift punch. Actually I wish it was press on bearings. The axle is the inner race (or course) and I think they had a problem with the hardness. Had to get some offset bearing repair kit crap.

yes, older fords (and could be some newer as well too, don't really know) did generally use pressed on bearings.

[souperdave]

Dear this is only repair or maintenance warranty only and And there is something no issue for warranty.
spousal maintenance

Have you ever been accused of being a burrito shy of a combo platter?

- - - Updated - - -

nope. not just GM. 98 f-150 (don't know the model series diff) has c clips.

and no puller. just a really long (like reaches through the axle housing to the other side) drift punch. Actually I wish it was press on bearings. The axle is the inner race (or course) and I think they had a problem with the hardness. Had to get some offset bearing repair kit crap.

yes, older fords (and could be some newer as well too, don't really know) did generally use pressed on bearings.

If it turns out to be a MOPAR our advice is moot!