£7.29 for an 8mm nut . . . No, really

[Hightower]

The 'acoustic' cover on the engine has been rattling about a bit and I discovered that one of the bolts wasn't tight.  The reason, a captive nut missing on the intake manifold bracket.  It's one of those that clips into a square hole in the bracket so that you can bolt through from the other side.

So, off I pootle to H@rtwells.  The teenager doing work experience eventually found what I was after, but only after asking a technician (p/n PYH100400 just in case you're interested).  Great I thought.  Then he told me how much this nut was going to be.

£6.20 plus the VAT!!!  That's £7.29 for a nut.  On it's own.  Not fitted.  Not delivered.  Just a single sodding nut.

Does anyone know where I might get one of these for less that the price of three pints of beer?

[oakeedokee]

I could get hold of one for you for two pints of beer.

[Hightower]

Yes please Iain, if you could.

Cheers mate.

[oakeedokee]

just had a look at what I thought were the right things, but they are M6 or smaller so won't fit. If you can't get them locally, try this place - they are dirt cheap for rivets and I presume likewise for cage nuts.
http://www.rivetwise.co.uk/productrange/cagenuts.htm

[Hightower]

Thanks Iain.  Will give them a call tomorrow.

[muddyweb]

Simon... how big id the square hole ?

I have some cage nuts here

[Hightower]

Tim,

It's only 9 or 10mm square.  If you want an exact size, I'll have to check tomorrow.

[muddyweb]

Sounds like a cage nut from a 19" rack might fit... got loads of them knocking around.

[Hightower]

Please Sir, may I have one?

[Guy90]

Simon,

I met said youth on Tuesday. Looked very blank at my request for front wheel bearings. Eventually admitted he didn't know what they were and went off to get the guy I normally talk to. I have a parts loyalty card so prices are not too bad for me.

Fitting the so**ing wheel bearing is another story  

Guy

[oakeedokee]

I too have a cage nut for a 19" rack but its only M5 or M6. I'll bring it along to Whaddon on Sunday in case it's what you're looking for.

[turtle]

Sounds like a cage nut from a 19" rack might fit... got loads of them knocking around.

I have loads of these knocking about as well, will put a few in my pocket and bring along to Whaddon on Sunday, you can then see if there of any use.  :D

[iianorthants]

try ringing up petercrisp in rushden, they have an Excellent ironmongery dept. get all my odd fixings from there as they still do imp sizes too  :D

[Mace]

if it looks like this the i've got 578 in stock !!! The nut is M8 and the width of the whole thing is 18mm

[iianorthants]

you have to love H@rt*** as due to not having a FSH with there stamp (all previous services at vent**** MK) they told LR warr that I hadn't got a service history  
 Plus if you went in there today the freelander sitting outside the workshop with only half an engine in it whilst it's pouring with rain was mine..... nice to see they treat your cars well. (think the bloke was shocked to see me turn up and start taking pics as evidence  :shock: )

[muddyweb]

Well, first off, they are not allowed to do that if you have a service history that has been carried out to the manufacturers guidelines... it's illegal, and they must honour the warranty.

Second... good on you for taking pictures...

Third... don't cave in... some of the dealers in this country need to understand that they can't treat us badly and can't treat us like idiots.

[Thrasher]

Sent you a PM ;-)

[V8MoneyPit]

As Tim says, the servicing must be done using the Land Rover job list. If the company who serviced the car can demostrate this, you have a warranty and they cannot refuse to carry out work under it. Don't let the ba***rds grind you down.

We are just going to pay the ransom and have the Freebie serviced by the main dealer. It saves any aggro should a problem arise. They can hardly say it wasn't serviced properly when they did it!

On the original thread subject ( :D ), LR pricing is crazy. Some items are dirt cheap and then they shock you with something like this. We buy some LR parts where they are common to Rover, but are cheaper. Other parts are cheaper from Jaguar or MG Rover. Often the part number is the same, but has an extra suffix.

[Thrasher]

We get Rogers of Bedford to service our Freelander V6. As long as the relevant LR parts are used, there is no warranty issue. The only trouble is a main dealer *must* do warranty work :(

Suffice is to say, the only warranty work we have had done took 3 attempts b4 they got it right...and yes, you can guess where :-)

[Mace]

I'm talking another marque here but my other non-LR vehicle has had it's 60k service today at a main dealership in MK. 12,000 miles ago they told me I needed new rear discs as they were on their manufacturers legal limit, Really I said, leave it alone I don't believe you. They got the hump.

Today, I'm told I need new front discs but to my astonishment, they said the rear discs are OK.

I've mentioned this to Trading Standards and they are very interested in any case that involves parts being fitted without good reason.

If you feel you are being done, report it to your local Trading Standards office and make sure you request the dealership RETURNS TO YOU any parts they have removed and deem beyond wear limits. Trading Standards can use this as evidence if necessary.

[oakeedokee]

They (H@rtw3lls) don't even carry stock of models older than a few years it seems. I went in there for a headlight for a Defender, 20 minutes later they decided they didn't have one in stock and would have to order one in. A Defender headlight for goodness sake!! How common a part is that? Ended up gettting one from Loughran Brothers at Towcester who have a storeroom the size of an airing cupboard, comparitively speaking, but seem to stock every concievable defender part.

[V8MoneyPit]

And I bet you paid rather less too.

[muddyweb]

Problem is, most of the dealer parts departments are there to serve the needs of the Service garage, rather than supply retail.

If you want a 'service' item, or an item which is a common failure, you'll probably have more luck.

There are some exceptions, but sadly.. not many

[datalas]

All things considered, I wouldn't trust a lot of places to work on my vehicle...  especially considering the quotes I've had for parts and labour of late.

In contrast to the "local" places, two notable companies have actually talked me out of spending money with them, and quite considerable sums at that...  they also talked me out of spending "sod all" with them.

To me, a fixation on supplying the correct parts, often at the expense of a sale is a "good" sign.

[Range Rover Blues]

All things considered, I wouldn't trust a lot of places to work on my vehicle...  especially considering the quotes I've had for parts and labour of late.

In contrast to the "local" places, two notable companies have actually talked me out of spending money with them, and quite considerable sums at that...  they also talked me out of spending "sod all" with them.

To me, a fixation on supplying the correct parts, often at the expense of a sale is a "good" sign.

I sit here and I shake my head in disgust, this all sounds too familiar!
4 times I paid to have my Cavalier fixed and 4 times I had to put it right myself afterwards or not go to work.  I spent a weekend doing the head gasket myself, being a diesel it's a long job.  I asked the dealer for a price but a mate warned me all they do is remove the bolts, slide the old gasket out and the new one in.  It doesn't always work but they make a killing on the few that do and when it doesn't they then do the work you paid for! (and fit the parts you paid for).
I've only had a couple of people work on the Rangie and have been disapointed again.
It takes a while to train a mechanic not to assume your an idiot, often you get them just how you want them and they move on.
I'm with you on the local garage though, our local, Wainright's, is excellent, "I'd love to sell you 2 new tyres, but you don't need them yet" sorry, did I hear you right?........