I'm taking a GM dealership to small claims court over the so-called repairwork on my '87 GN motor. I've never been to small claims court before so if anybody has any suggestions on how to prepare or any tips I would appreciate it. Thanks, R.B.
Small claims court in Texas
- Thread starter rb68rr
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Dan Buick Man
Buick lover
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2004
- Messages
- 197
What did they do or not do?
Long story. Short version:
Replaced timing chain. Three weeks later, rod and main bearing failure. Mechanic admitted to me that he didn't prime the oil pump. Changed his story when asked by the shop supervisor! They sent my stock crankshaft to a machine shop to be turned .010. Machine shop sent back a non turbo crankshaft that was installed in my car. One year later, massive rod and main bearing failure and destruction of crankshaft! More details on request. R.B.
Replaced timing chain. Three weeks later, rod and main bearing failure. Mechanic admitted to me that he didn't prime the oil pump. Changed his story when asked by the shop supervisor! They sent my stock crankshaft to a machine shop to be turned .010. Machine shop sent back a non turbo crankshaft that was installed in my car. One year later, massive rod and main bearing failure and destruction of crankshaft! More details on request. R.B.
have photos, receipts, bills and anything else you may use ready, make sure you sue for the maximum $5000.00, appear before a judge or clerk of court and file a statement of the claim under oath( if you have already filled forget the last sentence)
letters from experts, maybe mike from full throttle or some of those guys in the performance industry can help you out by writting a letter in how the wrong item would damage your engine, tell judge how much money your seeking and the events that led to your loss, practice your presentation in advanced, remember key points, write down your statement, compare your memory of events to any documents you may have, that will help you clarify the facts of your case, on the day of trial bring all records, receipts, copies of contract, agreements, photographs of anything directly related to the case, which will help you establish the facts of your story( bring 3 copies of all relevant evidence and estimates, ( the expert mike litch (example) can provide a estimate) each document should support some part of your story
and DON'T FORGET to bring the subject matter of the dispute ( the wrong item installed, bring it with you) IF YOUR CAR IS DAMAGED have it in the parking lot ( judges take time to go see the car, while there explain what has been damaged and point out the work that has to be done to make your car whole again)
if you have witness who can help you tell your story bring them, don't bring someone who only knows what someone else told them, remember the value of a witnesses' testimony depends upon intelligence, speaking ability, apperance
i know thats alot to remember but i want you to come out in top,
do your homework and you should have no problem
hope this helps, carlos
letters from experts, maybe mike from full throttle or some of those guys in the performance industry can help you out by writting a letter in how the wrong item would damage your engine, tell judge how much money your seeking and the events that led to your loss, practice your presentation in advanced, remember key points, write down your statement, compare your memory of events to any documents you may have, that will help you clarify the facts of your case, on the day of trial bring all records, receipts, copies of contract, agreements, photographs of anything directly related to the case, which will help you establish the facts of your story( bring 3 copies of all relevant evidence and estimates, ( the expert mike litch (example) can provide a estimate) each document should support some part of your story
and DON'T FORGET to bring the subject matter of the dispute ( the wrong item installed, bring it with you) IF YOUR CAR IS DAMAGED have it in the parking lot ( judges take time to go see the car, while there explain what has been damaged and point out the work that has to be done to make your car whole again)
if you have witness who can help you tell your story bring them, don't bring someone who only knows what someone else told them, remember the value of a witnesses' testimony depends upon intelligence, speaking ability, apperance
i know thats alot to remember but i want you to come out in top,
do your homework and you should have no problem
hope this helps, carlos
Fakeyankee
Back in Black
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2004
- Messages
- 233
How much you charge for a retainer Carlos !!
You have to prove your case; facts, figures, documentation, and a well prepaired statement of causes and effect . Have a good presentation that is easy to understand ( remember that he or she's a judge and not a wrench !! ) And you should come out on top !! You have lots of leg work to do but well worth the effort.
Good luck to ya.
Darrell
You have to prove your case; facts, figures, documentation, and a well prepaired statement of causes and effect . Have a good presentation that is easy to understand ( remember that he or she's a judge and not a wrench !! ) And you should come out on top !! You have lots of leg work to do but well worth the effort.
Good luck to ya.
Darrell
I've heard of a book that has been mentioned in several posts on our site called "The Buick Power Source Manual"? Does anybody know where I can find one of these? There could be some information on timing chains, crankshafts, etc. in this manual that would help back up my claims. Thanks, R.B.
, i think i know what book your talking about rb68rr, i see if i can locate it for you- Joined
- May 26, 2001
- Messages
- 9,208
Would "assume" you still have the destroyed crank? You should have this AND documentation to show that a TURBO crank should have been installed.
Since GM lists the turbo and non-turbo with the same part number [crank casting no. is also the same], you need to show/prove a turbo motor came with a turbo crank. This is where the Buick Power Source manual will be needed. There are other reliable publications that also say this.
Most GM techs and parts people do not know of or about the turbo specific crank. If their "experts" testify, you need to be able to refute it or show they do not have ALL the necessary information which led to your problem. They could also state only the TTA engine used a special crank as it has a different part no. This is because it is cross-drilled and the Buick crank is not.
Been down this road with a local owner, so hopefully this will help. Good luck!
- Joined
- May 26, 2001
- Messages
- 9,208
If you cannot locate one, I have a loose leaf copy so can send the info you need.
For all you guys out there that have had bad experiences with timing chain replacements because of not properly priming the oil pump or bad crankshaft experiences using a non-turbo crankshaft, please write me a testamonial letter that I can present in court as evidence in my lawsuit against this GM dealership. I need all the help I can get and I know my Turbo Regal brothers wil come through. Thanks for everything, R.B.
Ron Britton
505 Johnson St.
Terrell, Texas 75160
Ron Britton
505 Johnson St.
Terrell, Texas 75160
i found it
hay rb68rr i found it , i will e-mail you a pm
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6761&item=7922878878&rd=1
see if that works
hay rb68rr i found it , i will e-mail you a pm
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6761&item=7922878878&rd=1
see if that works
turbofish38
Le Pétomane
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2002
- Messages
- 6,160
Sorry to here about your troubles.
A word of caution for you. Be prepared to do battle with the dealerships lawyers. I work at a dealer and everytime I've been to court as far as my job goes we have had the dealerships attorney present representing us.Those guys would rip you a new azzhole if your unprepared. Personally I dont think the power source manual means anything to the tech or service manager as it is not the source they would use to fix a customer car. It is a good source to prove what went wrong and why it went wrong.Bring along a geniune GM factory shop manual and familiarize yourself with it. Basically IMO if the tech says he did it by the book than the judge will say what book did you use? Since parts are not available from GM anymore they had to have gone through the aftermarket to get new parts to rebuild your engine. Are you sure you can prove that the original turbo crank was switched and not the one that was in there from a previous repair. If you haven't had you car for long maybe it could have been someone elses mistakes? You know how our cars are abused. Good luck.
A word of caution for you. Be prepared to do battle with the dealerships lawyers. I work at a dealer and everytime I've been to court as far as my job goes we have had the dealerships attorney present representing us.Those guys would rip you a new azzhole if your unprepared. Personally I dont think the power source manual means anything to the tech or service manager as it is not the source they would use to fix a customer car. It is a good source to prove what went wrong and why it went wrong.Bring along a geniune GM factory shop manual and familiarize yourself with it. Basically IMO if the tech says he did it by the book than the judge will say what book did you use? Since parts are not available from GM anymore they had to have gone through the aftermarket to get new parts to rebuild your engine. Are you sure you can prove that the original turbo crank was switched and not the one that was in there from a previous repair. If you haven't had you car for long maybe it could have been someone elses mistakes? You know how our cars are abused. Good luck.
