Brake Bleeding Nipple (Left Front) Broken. Help!

[rajivrattna]

I was at the Toyota garage today for service of my Aygo and during the brake fluid bleed and change, the mechanic managed to break the brake bleeding nipple on the left front wheel. No brake fluid leaked out. He managed to bleed the other wheels. According to him, it does not matter since there is no fluid leak but I am worried about my inability in future to brake bleed the left front wheel and what if I do need to de- air the whole brake system Besides they demanded full payment of 280 Pounds equivalent for the service charge (includes oil and filter change). They expect me to just accept it and I have difficulty with the fact that they are dumping their responsibility on the customer. I have written a letter to Toyota Head Office here in Sweden and let us see what they are going to say.

I am interested in hearing what you guys think about it and if I am lumped with the problem, how do I solve it?

[Raistlin]

Dont pay and speak to the service manager.

Failing that the dealer principle

[Unklian]

First......Don't worry.

It is not urgent at the moment.

Sometimes bleed nipples break off......I'm in the trade.
Getting it out is (or can be) time consuming. Time = money.

If it was MY Aygo I wouldn't bother.

Look on eBay. I just typed in "Aygo Caliper"
Loads for sale, eg. 2012 with free delivery...... £25.00.

Buy one, if you're not confident to fit it, have a local garage fit it & bleed the brakes.

These days, swapping instead of repairing is commonplace due to labour charges.

Ian.

[Planemo]

Besides they demanded full payment of 280 Pounds equivalent for the service charge (includes oil and filter change). They expect me to just accept it and I have difficulty with the fact that they are dumping their responsibility on the customer.

To be honest, it's very likely nothing to do with the mechanic. It's your car and it carries it's own problems. Having worked in a tuning shop for 20 years I've lost count of the number of times siezed bolts have snapped or wiring looms that have fallen apart when disturbed due to the insulation going brittle as well as many other corrosion-induced issues. I myself had to grind off the suspension top nuts on my Aygo to get the legs out and had a garage of done this it would have cost £££'s in labour. It would have been nothing to do with an error on their part and everything to do with an issue on MY car. Don't jump to conclusions that the mechanic did something wrong, as providing they used the right sized spanner theres not a lot they can do wrong in simply unscrewing a bleed nipple.

In short, if your car isn't new out of the factory then you have to expect issues. Wait until you have to undo the rear lower shock mounting bolts - you will find your 'nipple issue' a walk in the park.

[rajivrattna]

It may not be the mechanics fault but since it happened in the toyota garage while doing the service by their expert, I expected them to take some responsibility, and not just shrug off their shoulder. If I was not present during the car service, they would have perhaps not even bothered telling me about it! who knows! Their attitude was "it does not matter. Tough luck!" That is what bothers me most.

Thank you all for your comments. What ever I do it will have to wait until the Swedish winter is over.

[eygo]

i would go back to the dealer and ask them if you get another caliper if they would fit it free of charge and see what they say to that

[rajivrattna]

Toyota Sweden is amazing (amazingly good!). Just got a call from the garage that serviced my car. The head office had spoken to them and they have agreed to do the replacement job free and that I pay for the used brake caliper that he is going to order. I pay 40 Quid in total. That is what used calipers cost here. I have agreed. Thank you Toyota! Relieved!

This is the second time Toyota Sweden has come to our rescue. We had some other problem with our Toyota RAV 4 a few years ago and the head office decided in our favor then too. How can you not like Toyota after that!

Thanks for your suggestions all you guys here. This forum rocks!

[Unklian]

Nice one!

Just one thing......
The dealership may have had a telling off from head office.

If they offer you a coffee......be careful.
It may have been "adjusted" ;-)

Ian.

[rajivrattna]

Thanks for the tip! They have a coffee machine in the customer waiting hall. It is best I avoid it for at least one year. it is a pity because I liked their coffee.