Jimny panhard rod failure

[funny]

Hi all,has anyone suffered the breakage of the rear panhard rod on a jimny,as this has just happened to my son ,on a straight flat road in heavy traffic ( so no odd antics).
Our local Suzuki agents (the car is still under warranty) have said it has been cut in half on purpose,and that they will not pay for a replacement.
HORIZON SUZUKI,oops should I mention them?,are being a  complete pain in the bum and are charging him nearly 200gbp for the privelege.
Any help or comments are greatly appreciated

Many thanks

Funny

[Evilgoat]

Shout 'Trading Standards' At them then go and see trading standards.

[wrecker]

yep totally agree with above,

if its not been abused off road you should fine,like muddy underside and so on,if so clean it first just so they carnt use that on ya :D make it look shiney shiney and they carnt say nothing :lol:

mark

[generation-x]

Shout 'Trading Standards' At them then go and see trading standards.

X2  from ere  if you have witnesses as to the accident so to speak this
will go along way too

simon

[rollazuki]

Errr cut in half?

What are the ends of the broken bar like? Could it have been cut in half by vandals, someone with a grudge?
I see no reason why a panhard wouyld break mid way along its length. Maybe near a weld where the metal has weakend, maybe a poor weld, but partway along the tube.......unlikely.

Bung a photo on, maybe we can see?

[wheelspinner]

I reckon if it has been changed by the offending garage that it is now in the scrap bin.
You should write the garage manager a letter copying in Suzuki GB and the local trading standards.Be sure to send this via registered post or deliver it by hand as these letters have a nasty habit of "falling behind the radiator".
Explain that the part that failed was from a car that was under warranty and ask him to provide evidence that the part in question failed due to being tampered with and not through poor manufacture.
Explain that unless you receive a satisfactory response within 7 days you will take him to the small claims court (it can be done on line for £60ish ,you get the costs back if you win).Generally they offer you a 25- 50% goodwill gesture but accept no responsibility,tell them to "get bent" say you want the full 100% and some compensation for the inconvenience (a free service is always a good start) As evil goat says might not be the best idea to say you have been greenlaning it,but as Suzuki's are marketed as a "soft roader" then they should expect a certain amount of off road use and as such if they fail due to this then they are not "fit for purpose"and under the sale of goods 1979/2002 act liable for prosecution.
In other words if it is not meant to be used off road print a disclaimer in the brochure and dont show jimnys halfway up Mount Snowdon.
May be an idea to just put a general search into Google just to find if this has happened to anyone elses Jimny.Also search the recall lists from Suzuki for any recalls concerning this item.  

The missus is in the legal trade so if you need a bit of advice drop me a mail.

regards

Steve

[rollazuki]

Above post sounds like the right kinda move.
I really cant see one failing under normal use.

Good luck
Rolla

[glaggs]

I've heard of them bending when used off road on lifted Jimnys, but never heard of 'em breaking, mine have been fine so far despite my efforts to prove their limits

[rollazuki]

Any news/pics?

[Range Rover Blues]

Having been through it with the 'van last year I don't think trading standards will be much help becasue they don't seal with issues involving quite this much money, though I wouldn't say don't contact them, just don't be surprised if they can't help.