We've all read these threads, and we never think it will happen to us... but I guess it could happen to anyone. I just felt like sharing my story (and kicking myself in the ***, because i should've seen it coming).

I made a thread a few days ago in a different sub-forum asking for help diagnosing a noise: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...h-install.html

Took the car to a popular subie/evo shop in the area today, and they pinpointed the rear diff as the source of my noise. Gonna be a fun search for an AYC diff now.

I'll jump straight to the cliffs and skip the tl;dr's
- Had clutch changed by a mechanic who insisted that he has done the job before and that he can get it done and back in 24 hours
- Delivered on wednesday night with a full tank of gas for an early start on Thursday (to be returned Friday)
- Saw my car driving around at 9am thursday morning. I didn't even bother asking.
- He calls me and asks me how to remove the tcase after unbolting the tranny
- He calls me again on Saturday and asks me to give him a ride to pick up a flywheel bolt, and tells me that I owe him two 17 sockets. I refuse.
- I call him on Monday at 11am to find out wtf is happening, he tells me that he was test driving my car on Sunday night and that he's not done, and I'll get it back at 8pm.

I was pretty fed up at this point and I just walked down to his garage to get my car back. It wasn't there, and neither was he. He told me that he was test driving it because my car "Has a bad wheel bearing." I told him to just leave the car where it was, and that I'd come get it.

When I got in, the tank was empty; like right above E.
I dunno about you guys, but I either have to drive a good distance slowly to empty my tank, or drive the SH*T out of my car to do it quickly. Something tells me it was the latter.

Unfortunately that something is the $1500 it is probably going to cost me to buy a new diff.


TL;DR: ALWAYS take your car to a reputable Evo shop, and never let some idiot and his cousin "Fix" your car.

 

Sounds like you learned an EXPENSIVE lesson. The guy that did it sounds like an idiot who has never touched an Evo before.

Guys that are good can get it done in 4 hours and for a hell of a lot less.

 

Should have drop the phone right away and went to his shop to take your evo back.

 

April 1st; but late?

 

My favorite part of the story was the mechanic calling him telling him he owes him two 17mm sockets.hahaha.

 

I still don't know why people even bother taking their cars to people like this

 

This is exactly why I do all the work myself, at least I know the mechanic will fill the tank after he's done joy riding in it n I have a true lifetime warrantee on all the work. Hell I even dismount the rims to get tires mounted and balanced after the reaction I got from a reputable tire shop here when I told them the car the rims and tires went to. Sorry this happened to you hopefully everything works out.

 

I agree. I don't even drop my car off for tire changes. I remove the wheels and use my wife's SUV to drop them off at the tire shop. For some the temptation to joy ride is too great.

 

That's just weird

 

This post confuses me. The headline says mechanic but the story screams random guy who says he is a mechanic. So was it your buddy or an actual shop?

 

/\... Yes....This .../\

Even if you don't know how to do the job, Usually the internet yields the solution. Yessirr, even tells you which way the bolts turn...

 

sounds like he test drove it the whole weekend and took it out for joy rides i would get my refund and have him fill your tank

 

Thank god i do my own work. And I HOPE he replaced the tranny fluid with proper rating fluid and not generic auto parts brand fluid.. If so, your diff wont be the only thing that needs replacing..

 

At least you didn't bring it to Pep Boys.
Oh wait! You owe him two 17mm sockets wha?!?

 

Might be a good idea to do a compression/leakdown check to. hopefully your motor is okay cuz who knows what was done during the test drives.