I take my car in for an alignment, they break my door handle & mirror.

[TimKustom]

Took it to the local Lincoln Dealership for an alignment after I installed front UCAs & LCAs. Figured that would be the safest place to have that done.

I pick it up and the outside door handle is busted. They fix that but while doing that they break the inner door handle cup. They've "ordered" the part. Hopefully they can find one.

Pulling out, I notice my driver's side mirror is dark. Only a small light space up top. (assuming this is the top of the photochromic fluid). I'm guessing they didn't get a wire on right or bumped something when they had to remove (manhandle) the door panel.

They say they are gonna fix it, but gave me the "well it's an old car" bit. I gave them them the "it's an immaculately maintained vehicle with only 65k miles that's kept in a temperature controlled garage that I've owned nearly 10 years and oh, did I mention I have a new MKT?" bit.

I really don't want to take it apart to figure out what they messed up, is it possible a wire is loose causing the mirror to be dark?

 

[steve]

It's possible. The mirrors are known to go bad as well, mine did, but it will look like the leaked out or something like that.

 

[beerdog]

Same with that door handle. It was probably ready to go.

 

[mag]

Word to the wise stay away from car dealer shops they really don't give a blank about doing good work on our older cars . They give the older cars to the least experienced so called mechanic in the shop and then try run a bill up on you and f up your car all at the same time. Screw me once shame on you screw me twice shame on me . As you can imagine I had a bad experience with a car dealership shop and have worked in one and will never bring my MARK VIII back to one

 

[beerdog]

Hard to argue with that. Any older car is going to be a problem when you take it to many shops. You can always point out a dozen little things wrong with virtually all older cars.

Oh look Sir, there is some oil spotting around your oil pan. I would recommend we fix that for $1500. It could just burst while driving and you would crash and die a horrible flaming death. Then they will find 10 more things wrong with it.

 

[ONLYTONY]

The local Lincoln dealer really screwed up my 95. I go to a Ford dealer,(only when needed) and they have an older mechanic that loves MK VIII's. One of the owners is the same about MK VIII's. They give vets 10% discount also. Only good stealer I've ever found

 

[TimKustom]

I really don't like talking my Mark to any shop as well. Thought on something like an alignment that would be the best option. Upon further observation, the speakers sound muffled or don't work and they didn't even put the door panel on securely (I showed them this when I could just lift the door panel off the door). The service manager pretty much looked appalled.

He did say he found the parts and they are on the way.

Anyway it rides SO good with the new UCAs & LCAs. Front struts are NOS that I installed about a year ago. Should have done them then. Man what a difference.

 

[beerdog]

Taking any older car that you are picky about to any shop is risky. All depends on the mechanic. For may of us we probably know more about MArk8's than most mechanics. As an example, I take my car to a Firestone shop within walking distance for alignments. I bought a lifetime alignment a while back for $150 and have used it at least a dozen times. I was talking to the mechanic once and he told me the rear only had lower adjusting bolts. I guess this is common. I corrected him but he insisted the upper adjusting bolt did not adjust. He then showed me their on-line shop manuals which was quite impressive. The problem was that the upper bolt picture was actually a picture of the lower bolt. For those that have taken the rear suspection apart you know that the upper adjusting bolt has the cam feature built into the bolt which is very different than the lower front and rear adjusting bolts. He assumed that since the upper bolt looked different that his online manual was incorrect. I told him I am sure he knows way more about wrenching than I do but that I have an intimate relationship with every nut and bolt on the car. Trust me, the upper bolt is an adjusting bolt. Had I not talked to him he would not done a complete alignment. Now I remind them every time. I would say if you find a place you like to politely talk to the mechanic about what he plans to do.

 

[TimKustom]

Thought I'd share an update about the outcome. I waited over a week and give them a call to see if they have had any luck locating the mirror or door cup. They say they can't get them and are looking on ebay. I tell them, hell I can do that...

Then next day they call and say there were "thinking about me". Oh, how so? They say this old lady just drove her '98 Base in because the engine was making "noises". They find that the oil filter adapter was leaking and it only had a quart of oil in it. Surprised the message center didn't alert her. They sold her a new car.

So they say I can have the mirror off this car. The interior was gray so that didn't really help my cause. I asked if the headlights worked and they said yes, why? Told them I'll take the headlight bulbs, the mirror and since it had the Mark VIII mud flaps, I'll take those too and call it even. They said deal.

Such a shame though on the car. Only had 73k miles. Interior was very nice. Neon didn't work.

 

[tixer]

Boy.. I don't know how to feel about that.

Glad you got some good parts out of the deal, but depending upon how long that other car went with low oil, it could have been as simple as a gasket and oil change.. Sad to see good Mark go with so few miles