Hi everyone. I have tried searching the web for a situation similar to mine but I have not come across anything remotely the same.
Here's my story:
October 6th 2012: Go to Wal-Mart in the city I live in and have my winter tires put on and balancing completed. (note: I only have one set of rims that are used year round).
October 13th 2012: Travel 300 km to Saskatoon and back for a day to do shopping and have lunch with a friend and see a movie. (note: I live in a town of 30'000 people and Saskatoon is the nearest populated urban center with the shopping amenities we occasionally need).
Along the way I noticed the car vibrating quite violently at speeds above 80 km/hr. I am no mechanic so I thought it was the roads, but they had never done this before. By the time I was concerned I had no choice but the keep going to Saskatoon and visit the Wal-Mart there and explain to them that my balancing was very off and my car was vibrating violently at high speeds. The technician said that because it was a Saturday they wouldn't have gotten around to it and I would have to leave my car there until Monday. I decided against that because it would be really expensive and drove back to Prince Albert (my home town) at speeds less than 80 km/hr to minimize any damage being done and maximize safety. Like I might as well of been driving on square blocks my car was shaking so badly. When I got back I avoided highway driving completely.
October 20th 2012: I went to Wal-Mart and was refused a refund by the TLE manager. I visited the store manager who issued me a refund in full for all expenses.
October 26th 2012: Went to the dealership and had my tires properly balanced. The car now ran smooth at highway speeds and I felt better about my safety.
Sometime in January: I began to notice a loud 'humming' noise that was coming from the rear of my car. It sounded like deep tread tires rolling against pavement, and since there was no snow on the highways, I figured the noise was just my winter tires and their deep tread. Plus no major concerning vibrations were occurring.
February 23 2013: Bought new All-season tires at Canadian Tire in preparation for Spring, Summer & Fall.
April 1st 2013: The 'humming' noise had gotten louder and I was a little concerned and had decided to change my winters a little earlier than usual to determine if it was the deep tread or not. Had the new tires installed & balanced at the dealership along with a fuel filter change and oil change. The noise persisted.
April 2nd 2013: Went back to the dealership to diagnose the problem. It turned out to be a failed rear right wheel bearing. As well the mechanic also noticed the front axle support bearing (right portion of axle) had to be replaced. All were replaced by the end of the week. After these repairs, the car ran butter smooth and I felt safe to drive.
April 12th 2013: It is painfully apparent that there is a failed front right wheel bearing now, too. I cannot drive my car faster than 10 km/hr without severe amounts of grinding and vibrating. Rocking the right front wheel with my foot I see an extremely large amount of play & wobbling in the car. I have an appointment at the dealership at 9:45 am on Monday and I will be towing the car there (free because I am a CAA gold member).
I have to drive 3'500 km back home to Montreal on April 25th. I need this car in good shape for the drive and I cannot have bearings fail in the middle of nowhere. I shouldn't even have to worry about this! The car has 98'000 km on it for goodness sake! If the dealership mechanic does indeed confirm that it is the right wheel bearing, that would put 50% of my bearings failing within 6 months of the Wal-Mart balancing disaster. What should I do?
1) Do I buy a new car?
2) Do I get the remaining two replaced?
3) Do I write a letter to Wal-Mart and ask for them to cover these repairs?
I do have the bills for everything, including the refund.
Here's my story:
October 6th 2012: Go to Wal-Mart in the city I live in and have my winter tires put on and balancing completed. (note: I only have one set of rims that are used year round).
October 13th 2012: Travel 300 km to Saskatoon and back for a day to do shopping and have lunch with a friend and see a movie. (note: I live in a town of 30'000 people and Saskatoon is the nearest populated urban center with the shopping amenities we occasionally need).
Along the way I noticed the car vibrating quite violently at speeds above 80 km/hr. I am no mechanic so I thought it was the roads, but they had never done this before. By the time I was concerned I had no choice but the keep going to Saskatoon and visit the Wal-Mart there and explain to them that my balancing was very off and my car was vibrating violently at high speeds. The technician said that because it was a Saturday they wouldn't have gotten around to it and I would have to leave my car there until Monday. I decided against that because it would be really expensive and drove back to Prince Albert (my home town) at speeds less than 80 km/hr to minimize any damage being done and maximize safety. Like I might as well of been driving on square blocks my car was shaking so badly. When I got back I avoided highway driving completely.
October 20th 2012: I went to Wal-Mart and was refused a refund by the TLE manager. I visited the store manager who issued me a refund in full for all expenses.
October 26th 2012: Went to the dealership and had my tires properly balanced. The car now ran smooth at highway speeds and I felt better about my safety.
Sometime in January: I began to notice a loud 'humming' noise that was coming from the rear of my car. It sounded like deep tread tires rolling against pavement, and since there was no snow on the highways, I figured the noise was just my winter tires and their deep tread. Plus no major concerning vibrations were occurring.
February 23 2013: Bought new All-season tires at Canadian Tire in preparation for Spring, Summer & Fall.
April 1st 2013: The 'humming' noise had gotten louder and I was a little concerned and had decided to change my winters a little earlier than usual to determine if it was the deep tread or not. Had the new tires installed & balanced at the dealership along with a fuel filter change and oil change. The noise persisted.
April 2nd 2013: Went back to the dealership to diagnose the problem. It turned out to be a failed rear right wheel bearing. As well the mechanic also noticed the front axle support bearing (right portion of axle) had to be replaced. All were replaced by the end of the week. After these repairs, the car ran butter smooth and I felt safe to drive.
April 12th 2013: It is painfully apparent that there is a failed front right wheel bearing now, too. I cannot drive my car faster than 10 km/hr without severe amounts of grinding and vibrating. Rocking the right front wheel with my foot I see an extremely large amount of play & wobbling in the car. I have an appointment at the dealership at 9:45 am on Monday and I will be towing the car there (free because I am a CAA gold member).
I have to drive 3'500 km back home to Montreal on April 25th. I need this car in good shape for the drive and I cannot have bearings fail in the middle of nowhere. I shouldn't even have to worry about this! The car has 98'000 km on it for goodness sake! If the dealership mechanic does indeed confirm that it is the right wheel bearing, that would put 50% of my bearings failing within 6 months of the Wal-Mart balancing disaster. What should I do?
1) Do I buy a new car?
2) Do I get the remaining two replaced?
3) Do I write a letter to Wal-Mart and ask for them to cover these repairs?
I do have the bills for everything, including the refund.
