kwik fit rant

[NICK2506]

took my car there today for tracking to be aligned. they did it, i drove off, it was even worse, took it back and they started doing it again.

recently my fan hasnt been always kicking in letting the engine over heat.

was up on the hydraulic lift for about 20mins with them doing the tracking when suddenly water went everywhere along with steam....i shit myself, and thought the head gasket would be screwed.

some guy at kwik fit said that it was thermostat, and the guy doign my tracking said he could feel the fan (i dont think he could)

they tell me to get the rac to tow it home and not to drive it and take it to a garage on monday.

i was pissed off, and worried head gasket had gone which would most likely leave me with no car for the summer.

RAC guy came and tried to find the problem.....we think it just needed bleeding, and the air in the system found the highest point on the cooling system which is the water temp sensor for the fan, and cos the air blocked this it meant the water couldnt reach it to turn the fan on.
we left the car idling for about an hour and the fan started working how it should do....

so from thinking my car was fucked and thought head gasket had gone... its now all okay and just needed bleeding :y: ..... i hope

kwik fit claimed they needed the engine on to do my tracking....is this true??

[Fulch]

kwik fit claimed they needed the engine on to do my tracking....is this true??

Totally false, my mate does it for work and they never have the engine on. The engine being on has no effect on the tracking.

[Bickerton]

kwik fit claimed they needed the engine on to do my tracking....is this true??

Never been on when ive had it done in the past, may be somehting to to with the power steering mebbe.

On a side note..

What the fuck did you go to Kwik Fit for?!

[goodall3518]

Yeah true, everytime i been to my garage i've never seen them turn the engine on once.

Hence the reputation of shit fit.

[Tontsy]

sorry to hear that chap... i do work at kwik fit *awaits insults, but as my mot cost me 20 bucks and my intrim cost me 1.60*
engine needs to be running for the PAS to be activated and free movement of the wheels can be achieved, as it involves unlocking the trackin rods and loosening or tightening them, depending if you are toe in or out too much.

obviously tightening and loosening it will push your wheels side to side...well so they say.

i am aware some other companies do tracking electronically... im not sure how that system works, if its needs to be on or not.

[smiith]

Never been on when ive had it done in the past, may be somehting to to with the power steering mebbe.

On a side note..

What the fuck did you go to Kwik Fit for?!

agreed.

some places turn the engine on for power steering so they dont drain the battery.

Plus never go to kwik fit. they suck arse

[smiith]

sorry to hear that chap... i do work at kwik fit *awaits insults, but as my mot cost me 20 bucks and my intrim cost me 1.60*
engine needs to be running for the PAS to be activated and free movement of the wheels can be achieved, as it involves unlocking the trackin rods and loosening or tightening them, depending if you are toe in or out too much.

obviously tightening and loosening it will push your wheels side to side...well so they say.

power steering comes on when you have the ignition on, dont need the engine really ;)

[Tontsy]

for the simple fact, they drive on the ramp... clamp it, lift it, track it, put it down and drive off ... unless its seized its a 10 min job!

not many people would have problems leavin the engine running for 10 minutes!

[Bickerton]

The problem with Kwik Fit from what ive seen is the same that is wrong with most other garages, they are lying bastards that try rinse people for cash.
Because Kwik Fit is a brand/chain more people will have had more bad experiences with kwik fit as a brand, unlike a one off pikey garage down the road

[Mattymcn]

your power steering comes on when ignition is on? cause mine doesnt.......

[NICK2506]

yeah they said it was for power steering...

well i originally went there to ask them to see if i have a hole in the cat in my mani as i felt blowing...and i do.

and whilst there they noticed my tyre was bald on the inside which i know about, and i told them i need to get trackign done. ive been meaning to do it for ages and they said they could do it so was like fuck it, whilst im here may as well..

the first time they did my tracking it made it worse. to go in a straight line the wheel was at like 2 oclock....fools....im pretty sure its still not amazing..

[Bickerton]

the first time they did my tracking it made it worse. to go in a straight line the wheel was at like 2 oclock....fools....im pretty sure its still not amazing..

I had the same once and "Tyre Sales" round here, another dodgy chain ;)

[NICK2506]

I had the same once and "Tyre Sales" round here, another dodgy chain ;)

yeahh, they said it was fine when they did it and then it became shit again once i was driving....i only drove about 1 mile before i turned around and went back.

just so happy my cars nothing bad...

[Bickerton]

yeahh, they said it was fine when they did it and then it became shit again once i was driving....i only drove about 1 mile before i turned around and went back.

just so happy my cars nothing bad...

Go back again and ask to speak to the manager, say to him something like

"hi this is the 3rd time i have been here to get my tracking done, please do it again and make sure it is 100%, i would also like the contact details of your area/regional manager please so i can contact them directly if it isn't done properly this time as would seem a waste of my time and yours to return here AGAIN!"

Will most likely help you a little

[NICK2506]

Go back again and ask to speak to the manager, say to him something like

"hi this is the 3rd time i have been here to get my tracking done, please do it again and make sure it is 100%, i would also like the contact details of your area/regional manager please so i can contact them directly if it isn't done properly this time as would seem a waste of my time and yours to return here AGAIN!"

Will most likely help you a little

the "manager" seemed the least compitent....

if i am on a straight road and i let go of the steering wheel should it firmly stay going straight?

[LeeM]

your power steering comes on when ignition is on? cause mine doesnt.......

neither does mine

[Bickerton]

the "manager" seemed the least compitent....

if i am on a straight road and i let go of the steering wheel should it firmly stay going straight?

Yes, you should be able to sleep from birmingham to blackpool on the m6 ;)

[marshall76]

I went in years ago for one of those 10 point winter check and left with a full set of gas shocks because they said my others were leaking...

Looking back now what a bell end, although I did get revenge my exhaust went on my Escort Gti, Kwik Fit fitted it 8 months earlier so it came with 3 years guarantee, ended up talking to the Mr Bean of Kwik Fit he said "Oh mate there a full system they are we don't do tail pipes at all it has to be a full system"(they only fitted the tail pipe last time) so I drove down and explained this again to bloke at counter who agreed full system, as soon as I passed the reciept they started back peddling trying to fit me just a back box. I said "Well mate you and your buddy both said I needed a full system without even looking at my car" started talking about Trading Standards and all these people in waiting room are witnesses, drove out with a full system and 3 years gurantee!!!

[Rob-6]

would never take my car to quick shit!

[biggy2]

biggest bodgers you can get, fucked up my tracking even more than it already was, and when I took it back they told me that the car was probably involved in a accident.

[LeeM]

they arent that bad in general but its a franchise so there will be bad branches.
my mate works there and openly admits i know more about mechanics than he does. i only ever go to kwik fit to use the ramps

[rudeboiross]

the "manager" seemed the least compitent....

if i am on a straight road and i let go of the steering wheel should it firmly stay going straight?

Was this the kwik fit near the meadows? Total waste of time, id never go there again completely bodged up fitting me a new cat! and wayyyy over priced. Did the manager have a bald head?

[0rang3peel]

They don't fit products that arn't bought from there either. I only wanted them to put on some tyres and they wouldn't!

[andrew0510]

Your fault for going to kwik fit imo

[DevilDamo]

Which Kwik-Fit did you go to?

[sammyd]

sorry for thread thieving but how much did you pay for tracking as i need mine done and does this include balancing? thanks mate

[craigy_87]

shouldnt need balancing doing if your just needing the tracking done

[sminotVTR]

I went to kwik fit for a new exhaust and i went over a bump and it ripped off. went back the next day with the entire system poking out of my window at 8am it sounding like a skyline (wasnt complaining) and he goes "oh god who fit this?!" my answer... erm you. They're naff i cant beleive they still have business

[sammyd]

but how much is tracking then

i thought i would need my wheels balanced due to one coming off and chipped a bit on the inside

[woody813]

yeh same question? Just bought a tyre from quickfit for 65 pound! i was desperate as for some reason no one else stocked 195-45-15's anyhow, they said that they would charge me at the hourly rate for tracking so may ask the other quick fit in town!or...actually on the other had,go somewhere completely different! how much would i pay for tracking???