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Comment
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AGN
May 8, 08 - 7:36 PM |
1999 MERCURY COUGAR DOOR GLASS
I put this in the other day and have had nothing but issues since. First the door would not open from the in side. Now the door won't lock from the inside or out.
I should mention that this door appears to have been worked on several times in the past as the door panels screws were stripped in two locations and someone smeared the tape kit holding the noise reduction vinyl on all over the inside of the door frame. Basically its a junker.
I feel like I'm being taken for a ride by the owner who knew the door had problems and is using the fact that his door glass got broken as an excuse to get it fixed.
Anyone ever run into issues with these door glasses? Any idea how I should handle this guy?
AGN
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jlm
May 8th, 2008 - 9:35 PM |
Re: 1999 MERCURY COUGAR DOOR GLASS
Sounds like there is broken glass in the lock mechanism and will need to be removed and cleaned out.This happens occasionaly and will jamb the lock up, It sounds like the glass is moving around in the lock since the problems is getting worse.
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xs
May 8th, 2008 - 9:49 PM |
Re: 1999 MERCURY COUGAR DOOR GLASS
AGN
Cut your losses now,remove door glass,refund his money,customers like these you dont need.(It wasn't that way before you touched it)syndrome..lol..........
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AGN
May 9th, 2008 - 9:42 AM |
Re: 1999 MERCURY COUGAR DOOR GLASS
That is starting to sound like a plan XS.
AGN
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Mark1
May 9th, 2008 - 12:16 PM |
Re: 1999 MERCURY COUGAR DOOR GLASS
Not to preach, but there's a moral to this story about checking operation of these things before you start.
Nuff' said on that.
First, the mechanisms are pretty basic on this one, but with all older vehicles, we always lube the slide guides for the lock & latch rods, the latch mechanism, and regulator when we are in the door. Seems to reduce these issues you are dealing with and it really does improve customer relations especially when they're standing there watching you replace the part. Even if they're not, we mention that we did it.
To your latch issue, I agree with Jim, could be glass and could be a worn out latch. Sometimes you can make a slight "Z" bend (emphasize SLIGHT) in the inside door latch pull rod to "shorten" the rod and improve function on the worn latch part; along with the lube on the latch this works many times. Two 9" crescent wrenches do this nicely on those hard steel rods.
Second, to the "unlock" issue, if you have electric locks, and lubing the guides does not help, you may simply have work out electric actuators. If it locks and unlocks manually fine, then that's the only answer.
If they are manual locks, pursue the glass in the mechanism solution along with the lubrication, and see if that helps.
If the customer is a good one, he'll appreciate your efforts and realize while he watches you that it had little to do with the broken glass. If it was glass in the mechanism, he'll realize how easy it is to miss one little cotton pickin' piece of glass in the door.
If he's intent on being nasty...just get in and out as fast as you can.
JMHO HTH
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xs
May 9th, 2008 - 1:08 PM |
Re: 1999 MERCURY COUGAR DOOR GLASS
We have preinspection forms we have customers sign before any work is done when we notice dameages or something not working...We even get customers to sign a post inspection of the newer 2004 toyota seinna when replacing the back glass for glass falling into the lock and jamming the latch assembly open...We learned the hard way about customers on trying to get over at times...
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AGN
May 9th, 2008 - 5:39 PM |
Re: 1999 MERCURY COUGAR DOOR GLASS
I have inspected this vehicle on three seperate occasions now and I am of the opinion that this has been an issue for awhile and that this customer is trying to get it paid for by someone else...either his insurance company or me. I don't think he cares which. He's happy if they pay for it as part of the claim and he'll be just as happy if it comes out of my pocket when the insurance company blames me for it. Either way he gets what he wants.
Anyway I refuse to be ripped off and I will not be paying for this to be fixed no matter who says what. I have been very helpful and even tried to get him an appointment with a reliable mechanic that I know. He refused. If he persists I will remove the glass refund his money and ride off into the sunset.
AGN
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rgl
May 9th, 2008 - 6:04 PM |
Re: 1999 MERCURY COUGAR DOOR GLASS
I think you might be amazed at his change in attitude when you cheerfully inform him you are taking your glass back & refunding his money. I have done this on occasion & all of a sudden you're back in control. They usually become much more accommodating and rarely do they walk away. The take your glass back & leave also works well when they can't find their checkbook or credit card and say they'll send you your money.
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nz downunder
May 9th, 2008 - 7:10 PM |
Re: 1999 MERCURY COUGAR DOOR GLASS
RGL we must have the same customers, same story just different country.
"The take your glass back & leave also works well when they can't find their checkbook or credit card and say they'll send you your money."
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xs
May 9th, 2008 - 7:20 PM |
Re: 1999 MERCURY COUGAR DOOR GLASS
We repo's a w\s once in a autobody shop.....lol........It was for one of thier employee's that turned into a dead beat..The owner(good friend for over 15 years)allowed us to come in and snatch the w\s back out unbroken...lol...........
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howie
May 9th, 2008 - 7:32 PM |
Re: 1999 MERCURY COUGAR DOOR GLASS
You guys are great! Listen! BEWARE of the squeaky wheel!, take a deep breath and THINK! Sounds like you are already in to this guy for at least a few hours and a few dollars. Its like college, its gonna cost you, but youll learn something. FIX IT , Whatever it takes. It might be the only thing youll get is the lesson but you paid for most of it already.
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howie
May 9th, 2008 - 10:36 PM |
Re: 1999 MERCURY COUGAR DOOR GLASS
AGN- Get his car to your "buddy" ----GOOD WILL
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