Ramona Tire & Service Centers had front rt side end and front rt tire inspection done 37.5 miles later the tire blew up at 78mph temecula California

Dear Sirs,

The information below contains items which you have requested as well as background information which may assist you in expediting my claim.

I am 60 years old with 6 children, 14 grandchildren and have a very good driving record. I have been using Ramona Firestone since about 1998.

I am familiar with these events as I was present at all but one.

I will start with the episode which could have killed me

On 1.9.16 about 10 AM I was traveling at 70mph in the fast lane of highway 15 south near the 76 highway in my 1999 Ford expedition.

The front right tire blew out (as in boom)…not a slow deflation. The SUV was steering straight and true with no tendency to pull to the right.

I was quickly swerved into the next lane and then was able to bring it back to the left center median and parked it.

I called my wife then AAA. AAA sent a truck from Sky Towing about 10:30 AM. The responder’s license number was 6L30470. The technician commented on the ease of which to remove the lug nuts….he was surprised. He then mounted my spare and checked the air pressure…sending me on my way.

Sirs, I have only had one other front blowout in 43 years of driving and it was in 1973.

So on 1.8.16 I arrived at Ramona Firestone about 10AM and spoke with Scott regarding the vibration on the right front side of my 1999 Expedition. He made a work order and said it would be about an hour to test drive and inspect the vehicle. During the waiting period I spoke off and on with Scott about my experience years back with two serious issues dealing with the Ramona location on the south side of Temecula.  They had balanced my tires and that day I left for Las Vegas with my son…The back left WHEEL fell off at 75 mph due to them not tightening the lug nuts properly. I was very close to death in that case. The damage to the same Expedition was extensive but it was repaired at their cost. Also on a later date lug nuts again were not tightened and that ruined a wheel which was replaced. In those cases I explained to Scott that Fred Battaglia was so gracious I continued using Ramona Firestone to repair my cars….but I only used the Winchester location now.

About 12 PM Scott approached me and gave me two scenarios of which was more important to deal with.

The front lower ball joints were loose/worn and needed replacing for safety sake.  He escorted me to the bay and showed me the “play of ½ inch”.

Then Scott asked me if I ever put fix a flat in the tire because that also can cause vibration. I said no.

I agreed to replace the ball joints but the quote was very high so I asked Scott if he would change my oil free as part of the service. He agreed.

I then was picked up by my wife about 1PM. Scott said they will check the inside of the tire as well before I return before closing.

I called about 4 or so to check on the status. He said it was done (Ball Joints, Alignment, inside tire inspection and tire balance as well as the oil change) He reiterated there was no Fix a flat or residue in the tire.

My wife picked the car up about 5 or so. The car was driven to my house. In the morning of 1.9.16 about 10AM I took the car on a trip to San Diego but never made it!!!!!!!

I had driven exactly 37.5 miles since the (1.8.16….) service when the tire un-mount / remount procedure was performed by Ramona Firestone at 40385 Winchester Rd in Temecula, CA.

On 1.11.16 about 4 PM I arrived at the Ramona Firestone shop with my son Bryce to discuss getting another replacement tire with the salesman at the front counter….at the time I even mentioned it could be a used tire. Scott (the salesman when this whole affair started was off that day) He then went to his manager and went over the situation. The manager said “we cannot replace that tire… it’s not our fault”. As you can imagine I was not happy. I explained the history I have stated about….he was belligerent as I was to.

I went out to the parking lot and was at a loss.

I thought of an idea and called Fred Battaglia at the South Temecula Store to enlist his help dealing with the Winchester Store. Fred called the Manager Saul to no avail.

After seeking a new tire elsewhere I had a chance to look at the work done under the car. It turns out right next to the passenger side ball joint was a failed sway bar link. It was obviously broken and was not seen during the estimate for repairs. That bad link may have been why I almost tipped over during the event my complaint centers around.

This is the 3^rd incident where Ramona could have killed me. In 2006 a wheel fell off the same SUV at 75mph causing several thousand dollars worth of damage which, in that case they covered all the costs.

My patience is very strong but this is not a case of patience. It’s a case of poor service, lack of proper procedures and safety. In this instance I was not physically injured. I do however now realize my mortality.

I would like all the charges ($545.11) reversed for invoice #65569.

Thank you

Mark LeFave

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