Some Truck Repair Shops Can’t Be Trusted

Truck Repair

I was returning from an over-the-road-trip and was within 160 miles from my home city when I pulled into a truck stop to get a bite to eat.

As I got back into my truck, I couldn’t get it into gear. No matter how many times I tried, still won’t engage. When the clutch pedal went soft, I looked underneath and saw fluid dripping out. I checked under the hood, and saw leakage from the slave cylinder.

The truck stop didn’t have a service bay, so I had to call a roadside assistance. The closest one was about 60 miles away. I explained the issue and was told a service truck will be dispatched to me.

You need a new Slave Cylinder

The service guy came and got to work. He added more fluid but the leaking was still bad, and gear won’t engage. He changed the line and leak stopped, but clutch was still soft and still won’t engage.

He said the Slave Cylinder is bad and needs to be changed. The closest place that had one was 80 miles away. I told him to go get it, I had no choice.

He got a new one and installed it, filled it up with fluid, and for 2 hours he tried to bleed it, but clutch was still too soft and I still couldn’t get truck into gear.

You need a new clutch

After a couple hours of trying he tells me the problem is my clutch, and I’m going to need a new one. That was big surprise to me, as I had this one installed less than a year ago, and I told him that.

He says the clutch must have been defective, as he’s sure its the problem. For him to fix it, I need to tow the truck to his shop, which was 60 miles the other way. I agreed, and that was my first mistake.

I was only 150 miles away from Capitol Diesel, they were the ones who installed the clutch for me 10 months ago, and I had a warranty for 12 months. I should’ve towed the truck to them instead.

Not going anywhere

I called my company and told them I’ll be dropping off trailer as my truck broke, I then called my wife to come pick me up. Next day, mechanic calls me. He wants $1400 to buy the clutch, which I paid.

Then 2 days latter, I called him to check on my truck. He said it should be done the next day. I called again the next day, and he says he installed clutch but still having the same issue.

I called Capitol Diesel and told them what happened, they said to tell the mechanic to bleed from bottom not top. I passed this info to him, and he said he is an expert and doesn’t need anyone telling him how to do his job.

DUMB MECHANIC

Two days later, mechanic calls me, he says the slave cylinder is defective and he must get a new one. And since he purchased the first one too far from his shop, I must pay for the second one, which I did. That was my second mistake.

The next day I called again to check on my truck, he tells me he replaced the slave cylinder but still same issue. He tells me I need to tow truck to a dealer as he cannot fix it.

Then again I told him to try to bleed from bottom, but he insisted that is not what the problem is. Said I owed him $300 for labor, which I paid. My third mistake.

After spending nearly $3000 with this A-hole, I had the truck towed 230 miles to Capitol Diesel.

Problem Solved

Once I got the truck to Capitol Diesel, first thing their mechanic did was bleed the slave cylinder from the bottom, and the problem was solved.

I didn’t need a slave cylinder or a clutch, all I needed was to change the broken line and bleed it correctly. Instead of paying couple hundred dollars and be on my way, I ended up paying over $4000 and lost a full week of work.

I learned my lesson. Next time truck breaks down within 300 miles of Capitol Diesel, its best and cheapest to tow it to them. Too many dumb mechanics out there, they will cost you BIG money.

If you need repairs while in the Atlanta area, give Capitol Diesel a call at 470 481-1973 | after hours, call 256 560-1602