Should I bring it in myself or let the dealer do it?

[Bug512]

Question?
As some of you might know I just purchased a 2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V around three weeks ago. One of the questions when I was in the process of purchasing it was the brake caliper recall. I have made plans of dropping off the motorhome in January for them to take it to a workhorse facility and have the recall completed.

My question is.. should i take it myself to a authorized Workhorse service center to have the work done or let the dealer take it to one?

I live in NJ (07882) so I have several service centers to take it to. Any of you know of a good one in the northern NJ / eastern PA area?

My thought to take it myself is to have a relationship with the dealer that might do service for me in the future and not to "go through" the dealer.

I have 35,000 miles on it, should I have new pads installed? How about the front bearings? Re-pack grease or are they oiled filled?

What else??

Thanks again you are all great.

[oemtech]

Take in yourself... The cost should be $0 unless you need pads... Pads are about $80 and axle.

[JohnRR]

I'd rather take it to the people doing the work myself, less chance of bad communications and a unhappy experience.

[OneRVer]

I do not have a Workhorse but I will chime in. If I had the time and could afford the travel I would do it myself. You will be able to ask the experts the question you might want to ask. You will be able to watch and learn. See how things are done.

If the dealer takes it to Workhorse, how will your rig be treated???? Who will be driving??? I would not be comfortable with my baby in someone else's hand. JMHO

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bug512 My question is.. should i take it myself to a authorized Workhorse service center to have the work done or let the dealer take it to one?

I am of the opinion that the motorhome should have had the recall completed prior to you taking delivery of your motorhome if it was sold to you after approximately September 1st, 2010.

This is a Federal recall and the dealer is supposed to not sell a vehicle with an outstanding recall.

If you have the motorhome now and you want to know how to proceed; take the motorhome to the dealer by making an appointment and waiting for it. The recall should be accomplished in about 4 to 5 hours.

[Bug512]

Well, it sounds like I should take it myself.

To DriVer: I did take delivery after September 1st, in fact it was three days before thanksgiving.

As far as taking it back to the dealer and waiting for it, that will not happen. They have a punch list of items to take care of for me. The dealer is not doing the work, they sub that out to a truck repair center.

OK, so now where should I go? I looked on the Workhorse website and searched dealers in my area (07882), there are several. Anyone have experience with any of them ?

Thanks..

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bug512 OK, so now where should I go? I looked on the Workhorse website and searched dealers in my area (07882), there are several. Anyone have experience with any of them ?

We have a lot of people that live up there. Perhaps you should browse through this post ....

Favorite Workhorse Service Center

.... and see if there are any listed as recommended.

Looks like you got the rig and that bell has been rung so it's a little late to move on that but I would call your BBB if you think they should have done the recall before it went out the door. I know they certainly did want your money quick enough though. You can also call the NHTSA and see if there's any remedy or sanctions that can be directed toward that dealer.

I don't know if they disclosed the brake recall to you. In late November they should have known about it. Some folks take delivery on disclosure and they tell the dealer that they'll take care of it. Still the vehicle I believe should have had the recall cleared before the sale.

[Bug512]

I knew that the recall needed to be done. I just did not want to purchase a motorhome and have it sit in their lot for a month or so until it was completed.

Im not mad at them. We did discuss the recall.

OK, now I will look at the posts to see if anyone recommends a dealer here in New Jersey.

[Bug512]

I was browsing through the local service centers and found this..

Click this link

Open the above page and click "Workhorse Brake Replacement Special"

Looks like they are offering a "special" since everything is torn apart.

$1,399.99 what a bargain

Are they trying to double dip here?

Open the PDF, on the bottom is says must be done with Brake Recall.

[Tom-NC]

Gene,

I just had my recall done on my 04 Adventurer on WCC and was completely satisfied with the repair which included replacing the rear pads.

There is no reason for you to go for the special unless there is a problem with the brakes. I am assuming they do work now, right?

Let them replace the 4 calipers and you may need pads which they could charge you for. I paid $85.00 for both rear pads as I had replaced the front ones prior to getting the recall done. So in recap, let them replace 4 calipers and pads if they need them and bleed the system. The bleeding should be no charge. There should also be no labor charge to replace the pads as they have them apart in order to replace rotors. If there is a crack in the rotors then you will need rotors and at that time go for the special because by themselves it could be very expensive.

The front wheel bearings are oil filled and don't need to be repacked. You can check the level by looking at the oil in make sure it is at the maek.

If you have any other questions about your Adventurer you can PM me as I have the same unit.

BTW I used to live in NJ and went to Tom Schaeffer for some body work on my Class C and then were just super people at that time.

[Bug512]

Thanks for the information. I was not planning on going to Tom Schafers. I was looking at their website and saw that "special".

If you read they say it must be done when doing the brake caliper recall.

Did you read that the same as i did?

[Bounder35R]

I took mine to Tom Schaeffer's RV near Cabela's on I-78 in Hamburg, PA. They are an authorized service center. Mine needed rear rotors - both sides were cracked. About $700 for the rotors, pads, seals, etc. That appears to be the going rate per axle and is cheaper than you would pay if the unit wasn't already jacked up and wheels taken off.

They did a fine job as far as I can tell, and it's nice not to have to worry about brake lockup.

Bounder 35R
2003 W22

[Bug512]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bounder35R I took mine to Tom Schaeffer's RV near Cabela's on I-78 in Hamburg, PA. They are an authorized service center. Mine needed rear rotors - both sides were cracked. About $700 for the rotors, pads, seals, etc. That appears to be the going rate per axle and is cheaper than you would pay if the unit wasn't already jacked up and wheels taken off. They did a fine job as far as I can tell, and it's nice not to have to worry about brake lockup. Bounder 35R 2003 W22

Is that Tom Schafers on I-78 and the Boat & RV place?

So.. that is two good votes for Tom Schafers.

[edgray]

Gene:
FYI, the "special" is a package of parts that WCC put together for their dealers to offer to those customers who may have need for more work than the recall provides. Believe it or not, but the special you found is actually $100.00 cheaper than "most" of them are offering to do this total replacement of brake components, other than the calipers, which are being replaced under the recall. The dealers had to agree to not charge more than $1499.00 "out the door" to qualify as a "select" dealer, along with ordering large quantities of parts, rather than piecemeal on a per coach basis.

If an owner of an older or high milage chassis wants to leave with all new parts after the recall, it actually is a pretty good deal. The reason that the special price is "usually" offered only with the recall is because WCC has already paid the dealer to jack the coach and remove the wheels to perform the caliper replacement, so the customer isn't charged "again" for that labor. Ed