Hi all,
I'm a newbie here so I apologise if this isn't what you would usually expect on this part of the forum but I'm having some serious problems with a main dealer and would greatly appreciate any advice that anyone could offer.
Earlier this year I had a problem with my '07 WRX which following a diagnosis was traced by a main dealer to being a failed pinion gear on the rear diff.
Due to the cost of a new diff being nearly the value of the car, they tried to source a 2nd hand part, which after over a week were unable to find. I offered to try and look around to try and speed things up, so they told me I need a diff of ratio 1/4.44.
Quite quickly I sourced the part which they then fitted and after over 2 weeks I got my car back.
The following week I was driving on the motorway at about 70mph and quite suddenly I felt severe vibration through the steering wheel, heard a thumping noise and the car swerved uncontrollably. Luckily the middle lane was empty at the time so I avoided an accident and managed to get onto the hard shoulder.
After I had the car recovered it was then inspected by an independent specialist who suggested the symptoms sound like gearbox wind-up. Following some research I discovered that the diff I had been instructed to purchase and which had been fitted by the main dealer was in-fact incorrect and should have been 1/4.11.
Due to a complete lack of confidence in them and due to their extremely defensive attitude when I explained what had happened I decided to get the problem rectified elsewhere at my own expense.
They have since tried to pursue me for £560 for the original labour, which is not only nearly double the quotes I have received from other main dealers for the same work but also it appears quite unfair to be charging for labour when the car left their workshop in what I believe to be a fundamentally unsafe condition.
Due to the ongoing dispute I have made it clear through solicitors letters that I am unwilling to pay for the labour charges, however I have just received a court summons for the amount due.
What I am struggling with is a credible source or testimonial that the symptoms which I experienced are highly likely to have been caused by having that rear diff fitted to that car and similarly something that can also testify that this is without doubt a dangerous state for a car to leave a workshop.
Despite being put through what was an extremely scary and dangerous experience, a huge inconvenience, months of threatening correspondences and incurring great expense, I am the one being taken to court. If anyone is able to offer some advice, particularly regarding the above paragraph I would be massively grateful!
Many thanks in advance
