Akey Brakey Auto Repair ripoff auto repair Agoura Hills California

So, let's ask the biggest question...  Where the HELL is Greg and Mark, the owners of Akey Brakey Auto Repair?  Hmmm?  That right there says a LOT since they, apparently, aren't willing to put up an explanation...probably because they can't.  They KNOW they were in the wrong on this one.

"If you listen to the non-critical thinker Robert, he treats conjecture as fact. Also I have had many Fords as company cars and I have never heard one whine, so to make the statement that all Ford pumps make noise is pure crap."

And yet, Ford puts out TSB, after TSB concerning the NOISE their steering pumps make, and how to correct it. They go from recentering the steering wheel, to using an additive. HAHAHAHAHA! You guys are so fun.

You hear the noise, you just assumed it was normal. I have owned many different makes/models over the years. NONE of them made any pump noise. Fords do...ALL of them. Even their own factory understands the problem. Here's a trick. Stand next to a Chrysler, GM, Nissan, Honda, ANYTHING except a Ford product, and listen to the pump. Can't hear it? That's right. Now, go start your Ford and stand next to it. That odd buzzy whiny sound? THAT's the pump. It's only normal for a Ford. Their own Service Advisors tell the customers that if they don't complain too much. If they do, the dealership adds the additive. They all carry it.(Hint:the Ford Limited Slip Additive works great).

Type Ford power steering noise into a search engine. Have fun reading the thousands of hits.

Have fun there Alan.

"If you listen to the non-critical thinker Robert, he treats conjecture as fact. Also I have had many Fords as company cars and I have never heard one whine, so to make the statement that all Ford pumps make noise is pure crap."

And yet, Ford puts out TSB, after TSB concerning the NOISE their steering pumps make, and how to correct it. They go from recentering the steering wheel, to using an additive. HAHAHAHAHA! You guys are so fun.

You hear the noise, you just assumed it was normal. I have owned many different makes/models over the years. NONE of them made any pump noise. Fords do...ALL of them. Even their own factory understands the problem. Here's a trick. Stand next to a Chrysler, GM, Nissan, Honda, ANYTHING except a Ford product, and listen to the pump. Can't hear it? That's right. Now, go start your Ford and stand next to it. That odd buzzy whiny sound? THAT's the pump. It's only normal for a Ford. Their own Service Advisors tell the customers that if they don't complain too much. If they do, the dealership adds the additive. They all carry it.(Hint:the Ford Limited Slip Additive works great).

Type Ford power steering noise into a search engine. Have fun reading the thousands of hits.

Have fun there Alan.

"If you listen to the non-critical thinker Robert, he treats conjecture as fact. Also I have had many Fords as company cars and I have never heard one whine, so to make the statement that all Ford pumps make noise is pure crap."

And yet, Ford puts out TSB, after TSB concerning the NOISE their steering pumps make, and how to correct it. They go from recentering the steering wheel, to using an additive. HAHAHAHAHA! You guys are so fun.

You hear the noise, you just assumed it was normal. I have owned many different makes/models over the years. NONE of them made any pump noise. Fords do...ALL of them. Even their own factory understands the problem. Here's a trick. Stand next to a Chrysler, GM, Nissan, Honda, ANYTHING except a Ford product, and listen to the pump. Can't hear it? That's right. Now, go start your Ford and stand next to it. That odd buzzy whiny sound? THAT's the pump. It's only normal for a Ford. Their own Service Advisors tell the customers that if they don't complain too much. If they do, the dealership adds the additive. They all carry it.(Hint:the Ford Limited Slip Additive works great).

Type Ford power steering noise into a search engine. Have fun reading the thousands of hits.

Have fun there Alan.

"If you listen to the non-critical thinker Robert, he treats conjecture as fact. Also I have had many Fords as company cars and I have never heard one whine, so to make the statement that all Ford pumps make noise is pure crap."

And yet, Ford puts out TSB, after TSB concerning the NOISE their steering pumps make, and how to correct it. They go from recentering the steering wheel, to using an additive. HAHAHAHAHA! You guys are so fun.

You hear the noise, you just assumed it was normal. I have owned many different makes/models over the years. NONE of them made any pump noise. Fords do...ALL of them. Even their own factory understands the problem. Here's a trick. Stand next to a Chrysler, GM, Nissan, Honda, ANYTHING except a Ford product, and listen to the pump. Can't hear it? That's right. Now, go start your Ford and stand next to it. That odd buzzy whiny sound? THAT's the pump. It's only normal for a Ford. Their own Service Advisors tell the customers that if they don't complain too much. If they do, the dealership adds the additive. They all carry it.(Hint:the Ford Limited Slip Additive works great).

Type Ford power steering noise into a search engine. Have fun reading the thousands of hits.

Have fun there Alan.

-Montrose Colorado
Area Information & Statistics

2000
Montrose population: City: 13,493
County: 33,432

These are from the Montrose Colorado OFFICIAL website. Perhaps you should tell them they are not correct. Until then, they are the OFFICIAL numbers. You are off by about 30K. It seems I have had this argument before.

Now, my actual statement concerning replacing the pump is this:"It is considered standard to replace the pump when the rack is replaced. Most rack manufacturers will not warranty the rack without the pump also being replaced. Any real mechanic knows this."

It IS considered to be a standard practice among real mechanics. It is also considered standard procedure by ALL new car dealerships, and every repair shop on Earth, except for yours.

This has nothing to do with NAPA's requirement of installing an aftermarket inline filter for the NAPA warranty to be honored. NAPA makes it's own additional requirements, in order to reduce losses.

"The original poster did not say that his racked failed, He said it was leaking."

And a leaking rack has not failed? A leak reduces pressure. Pressure is HOW the power assist works. If the fluid is no longer held at a stable pressure, the rack does not function properly. It has FAILED! Guess why it leaked. Try hose deterioration. The same contamination that damaged the rack seals, also was doing damage to the pump.

The fact that Tim in Cali says there is "black residue" inside the cap PROVES my point. Amazing isn't it? I can diagnose a problem from 3000 miles away, sight unseen, just by what the owner has posted.(Change the hoses before it's too late). That "black residue" is from the hoses deteriorating.

"And NO, Napa gets their racks from A-1 only, you might want to check your facts before you spew off like that."

Nope. Wrong as usual Tim. NAPA gets them from several remanufacturing companies. It all depends on who got the winning bid. The last two I replaced were from Beck-Arnley, and ATSCO. Notice that neither of those two companies are A1 Cardone. Beck-Arnley is a subsidiary of DANA Corp. In case you were wondering, DANA is NOT part of A1 Cardone. How about Startex? They also remanufacture them for NAPA. They're fairly big out in California. So far, I have named 4 different companies, and NONE of them have any affiliation to A1 Cardone. Like I said...it all depends on who gets the winning bid. The winner in one region, may be different from the winner in another.

"You are selling pumps to your customers who have a bad rack assy just to line your pockets, nothing else, period."

I guess I am. Of course, I haven't replaced near as many racks as you have, and I've been doing this for just as long as you claim. Maybe it's because I do it correctly, and don't leave anything to chance. It's really simple. When you eliminate the leak in one part of a closed system, the pressure is higher in the entire system. A marginal part will immediately show itself. That's called a "comeback". I don't have "comebacks". I have repeat business. I also replace the belts when I take them off do ANYTHING. The same goes for hoses. I guess you just reinstall an old nearly useless part That's waiting to come apart. I don't...and that's why I don't have "comebacks".

I'll assume you also consider it unethical to recommend replacement of waterpumps that don't leak, when the timing belt that drives it is replaced. You must, because it is the exact same principle.

Now, let's take a look at who owns the TWO NAPA AutoCare Centers in Montrose. One is Mark Coleman. That isn't you. Your name is Tim. The other is owned by Gary Pope. Again, that isn't you. Your name is Tim.

"You are a Napa authorized, so am I."

I still don't know what NAPA authorized means.

-Montrose Colorado
Area Information & Statistics

2000
Montrose population: City: 13,493
County: 33,432

These are from the Montrose Colorado OFFICIAL website. Perhaps you should tell them they are not correct. Until then, they are the OFFICIAL numbers. You are off by about 30K. It seems I have had this argument before.

Now, my actual statement concerning replacing the pump is this:"It is considered standard to replace the pump when the rack is replaced. Most rack manufacturers will not warranty the rack without the pump also being replaced. Any real mechanic knows this."

It IS considered to be a standard practice among real mechanics. It is also considered standard procedure by ALL new car dealerships, and every repair shop on Earth, except for yours.

This has nothing to do with NAPA's requirement of installing an aftermarket inline filter for the NAPA warranty to be honored. NAPA makes it's own additional requirements, in order to reduce losses.

"The original poster did not say that his racked failed, He said it was leaking."

And a leaking rack has not failed? A leak reduces pressure. Pressure is HOW the power assist works. If the fluid is no longer held at a stable pressure, the rack does not function properly. It has FAILED! Guess why it leaked. Try hose deterioration. The same contamination that damaged the rack seals, also was doing damage to the pump.

The fact that Tim in Cali says there is "black residue" inside the cap PROVES my point. Amazing isn't it? I can diagnose a problem from 3000 miles away, sight unseen, just by what the owner has posted.(Change the hoses before it's too late). That "black residue" is from the hoses deteriorating.

"And NO, Napa gets their racks from A-1 only, you might want to check your facts before you spew off like that."

Nope. Wrong as usual Tim. NAPA gets them from several remanufacturing companies. It all depends on who got the winning bid. The last two I replaced were from Beck-Arnley, and ATSCO. Notice that neither of those two companies are A1 Cardone. Beck-Arnley is a subsidiary of DANA Corp. In case you were wondering, DANA is NOT part of A1 Cardone. How about Startex? They also remanufacture them for NAPA. They're fairly big out in California. So far, I have named 4 different companies, and NONE of them have any affiliation to A1 Cardone. Like I said...it all depends on who gets the winning bid. The winner in one region, may be different from the winner in another.

"You are selling pumps to your customers who have a bad rack assy just to line your pockets, nothing else, period."

I guess I am. Of course, I haven't replaced near as many racks as you have, and I've been doing this for just as long as you claim. Maybe it's because I do it correctly, and don't leave anything to chance. It's really simple. When you eliminate the leak in one part of a closed system, the pressure is higher in the entire system. A marginal part will immediately show itself. That's called a "comeback". I don't have "comebacks". I have repeat business. I also replace the belts when I take them off do ANYTHING. The same goes for hoses. I guess you just reinstall an old nearly useless part That's waiting to come apart. I don't...and that's why I don't have "comebacks".

I'll assume you also consider it unethical to recommend replacement of waterpumps that don't leak, when the timing belt that drives it is replaced. You must, because it is the exact same principle.

Now, let's take a look at who owns the TWO NAPA AutoCare Centers in Montrose. One is Mark Coleman. That isn't you. Your name is Tim. The other is owned by Gary Pope. Again, that isn't you. Your name is Tim.

"You are a Napa authorized, so am I."

I still don't know what NAPA authorized means.

-Montrose Colorado
Area Information & Statistics

2000
Montrose population: City: 13,493
County: 33,432

These are from the Montrose Colorado OFFICIAL website. Perhaps you should tell them they are not correct. Until then, they are the OFFICIAL numbers. You are off by about 30K. It seems I have had this argument before.

Now, my actual statement concerning replacing the pump is this:"It is considered standard to replace the pump when the rack is replaced. Most rack manufacturers will not warranty the rack without the pump also being replaced. Any real mechanic knows this."

It IS considered to be a standard practice among real mechanics. It is also considered standard procedure by ALL new car dealerships, and every repair shop on Earth, except for yours.

This has nothing to do with NAPA's requirement of installing an aftermarket inline filter for the NAPA warranty to be honored. NAPA makes it's own additional requirements, in order to reduce losses.

"The original poster did not say that his racked failed, He said it was leaking."

And a leaking rack has not failed? A leak reduces pressure. Pressure is HOW the power assist works. If the fluid is no longer held at a stable pressure, the rack does not function properly. It has FAILED! Guess why it leaked. Try hose deterioration. The same contamination that damaged the rack seals, also was doing damage to the pump.

The fact that Tim in Cali says there is "black residue" inside the cap PROVES my point. Amazing isn't it? I can diagnose a problem from 3000 miles away, sight unseen, just by what the owner has posted.(Change the hoses before it's too late). That "black residue" is from the hoses deteriorating.

"And NO, Napa gets their racks from A-1 only, you might want to check your facts before you spew off like that."

Nope. Wrong as usual Tim. NAPA gets them from several remanufacturing companies. It all depends on who got the winning bid. The last two I replaced were from Beck-Arnley, and ATSCO. Notice that neither of those two companies are A1 Cardone. Beck-Arnley is a subsidiary of DANA Corp. In case you were wondering, DANA is NOT part of A1 Cardone. How about Startex? They also remanufacture them for NAPA. They're fairly big out in California. So far, I have named 4 different companies, and NONE of them have any affiliation to A1 Cardone. Like I said...it all depends on who gets the winning bid. The winner in one region, may be different from the winner in another.

"You are selling pumps to your customers who have a bad rack assy just to line your pockets, nothing else, period."

I guess I am. Of course, I haven't replaced near as many racks as you have, and I've been doing this for just as long as you claim. Maybe it's because I do it correctly, and don't leave anything to chance. It's really simple. When you eliminate the leak in one part of a closed system, the pressure is higher in the entire system. A marginal part will immediately show itself. That's called a "comeback". I don't have "comebacks". I have repeat business. I also replace the belts when I take them off do ANYTHING. The same goes for hoses. I guess you just reinstall an old nearly useless part That's waiting to come apart. I don't...and that's why I don't have "comebacks".

I'll assume you also consider it unethical to recommend replacement of waterpumps that don't leak, when the timing belt that drives it is replaced. You must, because it is the exact same principle.

Now, let's take a look at who owns the TWO NAPA AutoCare Centers in Montrose. One is Mark Coleman. That isn't you. Your name is Tim. The other is owned by Gary Pope. Again, that isn't you. Your name is Tim.

"You are a Napa authorized, so am I."

I still don't know what NAPA authorized means.

It is not known by any information in this post if the pump was replaced or not. Safe to say that if the pump was replaced the guy at Akey would not have had an attitude when confronted with this. He should have explained simply that the pump is buried and you cannot see it well, that you are looking at the original reservior. This behavoir leads me to believe that the op has his original pump, but this can be proven by taking it to a Ford dealer and asking them if the pump has been replaced. If you listen to the non-critical thinker Robert, he treats conjecture as fact. Also I have had many Fords as company cars and I have never heard one whine, so to make the statement that all Ford pumps make noise is pure crap. I think there is a very good chance that Tim was taken in this deal.

Here you go again! You did'nt mention anything about a filter. You said you have to replace the pump to have any warrantee. Get your argument straight buddy. You are selling pumps to your customers who have a bad rack assy just to line your pockets, nothing else, period. And NO, Napa gets their racks from A-1 only, you might want to check your facts before you spew off like that. And, by the way, at last count we have 62000 in our county, might want to get new encyclopdias. But I've been wrenching for 30 yrs, 15 here in montrose,and have replaced well over a hundred racks. The original poster did not say that his racked failed, He said it was leaking. There is no reason to replace the pump, period. You come on here to help people with their problems, and try to help the auto industry, but you fall short on a few of them, that does'st help any mechanics image. If you can't make a living honestly, then maybe its time to get out. Adios Dufas.

I have not attacked you at all. Why do people think being told the truth is an attack? Unreal. I'll put up my 26 yrs of professional, certified experience, and the 6 yrs as a kid wrenching on everything from bikes to top fuel drag rails, against anyone.

I built my first gokart from scratch at 9, with ZERO help from anyone. Hopped up a 6X6 M813 5 ton in the Marine Corps, so it could smoke the tires. Ten wheels throwing off smoke looks pretty cool.

ALL Ford power steering pumps make a whining noise. Brand new, from the Dearborn factory, NOISE. Ask anyone. For that matter, start one up on a new car lot. They make noise. Go to a parts store and ask for the additive. They sell the additive BECAUSE Ford pumps make the noise. No other pump does, just Fords.

And, Ford DOES require the pump to be replaced with a rack. I am amazed they didn't also require the hoses be replaced. Ford hoses are famous(infamous) for "black death". This is when the inside of the hoses deteriorate and contaminate the system. This is also the main reason a Ford rack, or pump, fail. Check your fluid often. If it starts to turn dark, you've got it. When it happens, your warranty will be void.

I notice you mentioned "black residue" inside the cap. Guess what? You have "black death". Ask your Ford guy about that. Also, ask the guys who did the repair work why the hoses weren't replaced. Then ask them if the warranty will be voided by it. This is the reason the new rack failed, BTW. Flushing does not cure hose deterioration.

And once more, you are NOT looking at the PUMP. You are looking at the resevoir. The pump is made of aluminum, and almost completely hidden by the bracket that it is attached to. I would be amazed if you can even see the pump. Ford uses a pretty beefy bracket. The resevoir snaps onto the back of the pump. The fact that your expert thinks the resevoir IS the pump, clearly proves my point that he should be washing the cars, not working on them. While I would have my guys clean the resevoir inside and out, all that is required is for the inside to be clean prior to reassembly. Dirt on the outside does not affect anything other than appearance.

Good luck, Tim. Replace the hoses ASAP. Install a filter inside the return line also. They run about $5, and just slide down in the return hose. Very cheap insurance against future issues. You can replace them yourself in a very short amount of time, easy to do. The pressure hose is the culprit.

Tim from Montrose,

Thanks for the info, your comments are exactly what I have been told by all other mechanics I have asked about this.

Robert,

Not sure why this has struck such a nerve with you, but attacks are not necessary. We just seem to have a difference of opinion. I do not now nor did I ever claim to know about auto repair or waranties. No need to purchase a manual, I prefer to get several opinions from qualified people to get the necessary information. Showed your comments to the front end specialist at my local Ford dealer. He said that no real mechanic would replace perfectly good working parts for no reason, and that most manufactures do not reqiure replacement of the pump, a flush is fine for most warranties. He also said that new, rebuilt, reman pump should not make noise and that this was a rediculous statement. The only reasons a pump would make noise are low fluid, air in the system, loose belt, or faulty pump. Pumps are not manufactured with an inherant noise, if they were the mechanic should spend the extra $5 and add the this special additive after every install. The noise my pump was making was audible from inside the vehicle with the windows up, not normal at all. Also had him look at the pump. Was told that no reputable parts supplier would sell a pump in that condition, was very dirty and there was sill black resiude on the inside of the cap. No attempt made to clean the pump at all.
Again, not claiming to be an expert. so don't shoot the messenger. Unfortunately Robert, I am not convinced of your expertise.

A-1 Cardone is NOT the only remanufacturer of domestic racks. NAPA gets them from several companies.

I'm not real sure where you get your information, but it appears to be bad.

You claim to be a NAPA "authorized" something or other. I am a NAPA AutoCare Center. I see there are only two of them in Montrose. I get the impression you own neither of them.

Perhaps the reason you have replaced "hundreds" of racks, is because you didn't bother to do the jobs properly, the first time. For a County of 33K people, that seems like a high percentage of failing racks. Now, who's ripping people off. I probably do 2 racks/year, in a county of over 800K people. NAPA also requires the use of an inline filter for both their racks, and pumps, in order for the warranty to be honored. You should know that, being a NAPA "authorized" something or other.

Nice try Tim from Montrose. You amuse me.

And for Tim of Simi Valley...dealerships hire guys straight off the street, just like any other shop. You may find one mechanic in that dealership who has EVER been "factory trained". I've worked at dealerships. I've never been anywhere to train. In fact, I only know two that have. That's not very good, considering I know more than a hundred dealership mechanics in 3 states. Two. That's not even 2%. That's two.

Your experts are wrong. I'll use an A/C compressor as an example. The seals leak on a new compressor. I still have to replace the orifice tube/expansion valve, and the filter drier in order to get the compressor warrantied. There's no reason to replace them, except the warranty requires it. They have already been replaced when the new compressor was installed. The customer has to pay for them, or I have to eat the cost. I usually just eat the cost.

Oh Robert, You are so full of s**t! I've replaced hundreds of racks without replacing the pump. There is no reman company out there, that voids warranty because you didnt replace the pump. You are a Napa authorized, so am I. Napa does not require this, neither does carquest, both A-1 Cardone remans, and as a matter of fact, A-1 Cardone is the only reman facility, for domestic racks in the states. The Zone, Checkers, Napa, Carquest, all the same remans. If the rack was leaking, the he was constantly adding new fluid, It would'nt even be dirty. Your just scamming like the people that he took it to. Do your job properly, honestly and quit trying to make everybody beleive you are the allmighty car guru. you are giving the reat of us Napa guys a bad name.

Robert,

Thanks for your input, but I would still tend to accept the unanimous opinions of the several factory authorized Ford mechanics who generously provided the information concerning the repairs and warranty policies.

1-It is considered standard to replace the pump when the rack is replaced. Most rack manufacturers will not warranty the rack without the pump also being replaced. Any real mechanic knows this.

2-ALL Ford pumps whine. New, used, remanufactured...it does not matter. There is an additive that eliminates this noise. It costs about $5, and fixes the Ford whine. Again, any real mechanic knows this.

3-Replacing the pump does NOT mean they replaced the resevoir. In very few cases, the resevoir is replaced with the pump. The difference in cost rather high, considering it is just a plastic case. Your resevoir simply pulls off the old pump, gets cleaned out, and is pushed back onto the new pump.

4-The shop owner did everything he had to to cover the warranty. He probably got defensive because you were accusing him of something that he did not do. This is the normal reaction of a human being when an unfounded accusation is made. Perhaps you should purchase a service manual, and study it. You will learn more about your truck than you currently believe you do. Perhaps your Ford experts should have done the repair work. I think they are probably experts at washing the cars, and not repairing them. Ford also requires pump replacement for their racks to be warranted.