And - we're back. So I've been gone a few weeks, traveling some, trying to keep up with work, and dealing with car drama. The day before I left for a trip to Atlanta, I got a be in my bonnet to go get the Monty's oil changed. It had been maybe six months, and it was time. I took it down to the local Burt Brothers that I've been going to for several years, walked in and requested said oil change. To which the friendly staffer asked if I wanted them to rotate the tires while they were at it. It would all only take an hour and the tire rotation would be free. So of course I said sure. And in the words of Julia Roberts, let's just that it was a "...big mistake. Huge!" Because right after that, it all went to H-E-double in the proverbial handbasket.
After an hour, one of the guys comes back to me and says that in trying to take the wheels off, some of the studs broke off on two of the wheels. This was going to cost me $75 per wheel for the labor, which they refused to man up and say it was their fault, and I would have to pay for. And the parts would have to be ordered because nobody has parts laying around for a 2001 Montero Sport. Knowing I had plans, plus was leaving town the next morning, I agreed to do one wheel that day, and do the other wheel later. After 3 hours I left there in the Monty, totally irritated, and as I was driving off, noticed that the Anti-Lock brake light was on. And - it has been on ever since.
A week later, I go back to Burt Brothers, tell them to fix the other wheel, and by the way, turn off the ABS light. After having the car for an entire day, I finally got the car back. But with the ABS light still on. They supposedly tried various things to get it to turn off, but had no idea what was causing it. They could order a part in for me for $300, but weren't sure that would fix it. And weren't about to pay for it themselves.
Devastated and not knowing what to do, I took it in to Les Schwab a few days later. They right away diagnosed a busted ABS cable, but it would take 3 days to get the part in from the dealer, and it would be $400. A few days later, the part comes in, it gets installed, and the light is still on. In fact, they discover that 2 other ABS cables were also busted. So once again, 3 days later I go in to get the 2 other cables installed, and I'm now out $1,300 at Les Schwab, and $150 at Burt Brothers. And the light is still on. Not only that, but some other lights that should be on, aren't.
I'm so disturbed, disgusted, and ready to throw in the towel on my beloved Monty. I've worked from home for two weeks and barely gone anywhere, because one just doesn't drive around much when a brake light is on, or when you're not sure if your other lights will even work. It's unnerving. Les Schwab's working theory now is that because of the battery issues from earlier this summer, that some of the fuses have gone bad. They're going to try replacing said fuses, but those again had to be special-ordered and won't be in until tomorrow. Who knows how much that will all cost. And of course I have hardly any savings left, so this has all gone on the credit card.
I am so ready for Calgon to take me away, I can't even tell you.
Oh - and Burt Brothers finally called back - they got in that $300 part I
never told them to order and are ready to take care of me now (I'm
pretty sure this isn't out of their generous nature, but because I went
crazy on them on social media). I told them to kiss my grits.
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