Nationalpublicsafety L
map-marker Colorado Springs, Colorado

PepBoys Auto After a brake flush done at this store service area. Vehicles brakes completely seized

2011-07-19 After a brake flush done at this store service area. 20011-**-** Vehicles brakes completely seized and locked up.

Patrol vehicle towed to store. Store reports back there has been a contamination of the brake fluid that they had put in our agencies vehicle. And the store in question had been the last to handle said vehicle. Store manager states that the full ABS and Brake system is damaged and he will do me a quote for repair.

I cannot believe we take a vehicle to there organization for a $62.99 Brake Flush.

And they put contaminated brake fluid in vehicle and expect our organization to pay $4500 to $5000 to replace and repair it all and the ABS. There is something seriously wrong when something like this happens.

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6 comments
Guest

Southern California. This is NOT a unique problem. I am sure the Pep Boy reps try to explain it away but the fact is that yes, they have used contaminated brake fluid. How about a very recent brake fluid flush (at their recommendation) in concert with rear brake pads. 4 days later, complete brake system failure, pedal goes to the floor, thankfully the hand brake worked or there would have been an accident. Turns out, contaminated fluid. This is right after PEP BOYS checked the entire system and flushed and replaced the fluid. Don't come here saying it doesn't happen or that professionals there would never do such a thing, they did.

Now I am waiting to see how they are going to handle this. Who knows what they put into the brake system. One thing is for sure, they will either make this 100% or lawyers can speak to lawyers. Imagine now trusting your brakes after such an event with the same people saying they fixed something they screwed up. Righto.

If they fix it right, I will update this information. If they do not, I will also post that info and everyone can read about it, it will become a public record.

Guest

when you point the finger at someone look very hard reason thier 3 looking back at you

Guest

Brake fluid/oil get drained into drums right from the car. no used fluid sits in the shops ever(in any professional shop) So mistakes like these do not happen.

Fluid is added right from bottles right off the shelf, some ones sold to customer over the counter. After the fact, what did they find? did somthing fail on the car that could have caused the problem?

ABS motor, broken line.... It is REALLY had to contaminate brake fluid unless something fails.

Guest

they probably took a whiz in the brake reservoir :p

Guest

This a police swat suv which has couple hundred pounds body armor and road armor at the front. Due to elevation in colorado we periodically get a brake flush as recommended by our mechanic. Its my personal command vehicle no one drives it but me and this is the first time having them do anything on suv.

Guest

Just out of curiosity why did you have them flushed to begin with? Is it possible there was contamination already?

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Orvil Zna
map-marker Fairport, New York

Pep Boys is Holding My Car Hostage

On July 10, 2011, I took my car to Pep Boys on Rt. 1 in Princeton, NJ to run a engine light check and brake check (both free services). A day later I got a call from them explaining what needed to be replaced in my car. The brake pads, rotors, drums all needed to be replaced, as well as a break line that was leaking. After telling me all this, I asked how much it would cost to fix, to which he replied 'about $470'. My car is only worth $1400 for a trade in, so I was on the fence about it, but decided to go for it. Big mistake! I came back 3 days later, where I was presented with a bill for $1300. I proceeded to argue with the employees, getting different stories from each different person I was referred to. After 2 days of arguing with the manager, he referred me to the tech that I spoke to on the phone. Yes, you heard right, the manager referred me to someone that works under him. The tech retold his story, which was exactly what I remembered. When I asked him why he told me it would be $470, he replied, "that was just for the rear brakes, the rest of the repairs was another $730." So then I spoke to the assistant manager (the manager had conveniently started his vacation by now), who refused to budge even though the tech had just admitted to giving me misleading information. I replied that I'd pay the $470 for the rear brakes and they can put all my old parts back into my car. However, the asst. manager then told me that (despite the transaction not having been completed) they had already thrown away my old parts, and that my only option was to pay them $1300 to get my car back. Additionally, and less of a concern than what's written above, instead of installing standard brake pads, they installed the most expensive pads they had, along with calipers. Both of these things were unrequested by me and contributed to the overall price hike that they're trying to usurp me with.
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4 comments
Guest

:cry :cry :cry :cry :cry

Guest

Ok first of all...it's time you buy a newer car....$1400 car and you work at a law firm??- my yard truck is worth more than that second of all- why didn't you get the estimate in writing before the repairs started? BTW they do not have to keep your old parts unless you specifically request it, Did you expect the original repair to be free??? Sounds like you want something for nothing to me

Guest

Oh, I am. Conveniently, I work for a law firm. One of my lawyer friends is helping me out.

Guest

Not surprised. I work there.

Not in NJ but in another location. Unfortunately, this is SOP for our company. The stories I could tell!! All I can say is...

NEVER have your car fixed by Pep Boys. Warn your friends. You could also threaten Small Claims court. They are afraid of legal entanglements.

It might work for you. Good luck.

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James Asj
map-marker Fort Worth, Texas

Pep Boys Needs to be sued!!! Unsafe repairs and scams

Pep Boys in Arlington texas was to replace my clutch in my truck. After picking up vehicle (3 days later than promised)I noticed while on vacation the same noise I took it in to repair. I took back to store and spoke to different employee and was told.....GET THIS..... My clutch needed to be replaced! I again told them it was under warranty and just replaced, but mechanic said it looked like old parts had been used and flywheel hadnt been turned. They also stated the CPS was in need of replacing and I told them they also replaced that on first visit. I am now writing this review because my CPS (Crank Position Sensor)AGAIN failed and left me and my family stranded while watching fireworks on the fourth. While they do offer reasonable prices, their work quality and lack of ethics lead me to believe their business should be avoided at all costs. I would also be interested in joining a class action lawsuit if someone were to file against them. They do not care about their customers and just worry about taking your money. Do not trust them. Also visit the "Dont Trust Pepboys" website on facebook and leave a comment, there is also the Anti Pep Boys website as well.
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hollis f Ifo
map-marker Williston, North Dakota

They completely destroyed our engine in a car repair center

car was taken in for what appeared to be a bad starter, turned out to be out of time. they forced it to turn over and broke all the valves as well as the pistons. If they had done a proper job of analyzing they simply had to retime it. instead they completely destroyed the engine and then laughed about it. when confronted they denied doing the damage, however intially were going to fix it. this cost me in excess of 2500.00 so no way will they ever ever do any work for me. I would not recommend them to anyone.............
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Loss:
$2500
2 comments
Guest

:cry :cry :cry :cry :cry

Did the vehicle "go out of time" in your driveway???? That makes no sense...just admit it you drove it...the timing belt skipped because you probably never changed it and has 200k, and you destroyed your engine....and blaming them???

Guest

As a 25 year master tech. working for ford motor company repairing and rebuilding engines transmissions and diesels, I would think that if the timing was off when they first looked at the car then there is a very good possibility that the damage could have been done prior to them looking at it.

Todays engines are zero tolerance meaning if the timing goes off then engine damage can occur. when the timing went off or "jumped" most likely you were driving the vehicle and at 2,000 rpm it is very likely the damage happend then.

You stated the engine cranked hard,like the starter was bad-meaning that there was already damage to the engine, either from driving it or cranking it over repeatedly-before they even looked at it. more likely also the mechanic was told "it is probably a bad starter" or "customer thinks he has a bad starter" Instead of stating simply" ck why engine will not start"

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C S Kkp
map-marker Las Vegas, Nevada

Air compressor

Called Pep Boys they said they would install a refrigeration control valve for $200., this would also take care of refrigerant. After I waited 2 hours for their free air conditioner check, they said they cannot install the control valve they don't take compressors apart, it would be $1900 for an air compressor, kit and installation. I don't have that kind of money. I told them I came here specifically to just have the valve replaced. Well now they don't do what I went in for. Called another company, $500. How about that. Don't believe your first quote and don't ever believe that PEP BOYS are honest people. They are not. They could have made $500 now they are making nothing from me. UNHAPPY IN LAS VEGAS NV
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2 comments
Guest

I will. Even if they just replace the rcv, this company quoted only $1000 not $1900 for a compressor.

Still PEP BOYS are cheats. My car is noted for just the rcv valve needing replaced, why pay for a compressor. Would you buy a new car if you only needed new tires? Why pay for something that you don't need.

Besides they lied on the phone, just to get me into their store, not impressed nor did it work. JUST GET A SECOND QUOTE.

Guest

Well, get back to us when your A/C fails because the other company didn't replace everything they are supposed to when opening the system.

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Halie Rfa
map-marker Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Buyer Beware....

I recently took my vehicle to this Pepboys for a Pennsylvania State Inspection and Emissions Test. During the course of the inspection, the mechanics allegedly found that the parking brake was not tight enough. Repairs were required and allegedly performed according to manufacturer's specifications. Upon the return of my vehicle, I found at least one of the locking lug nuts with a visible crack along with the other lug nuts being rounded off on the corners. I have returned to Pepboys on four separate occasions and spoken with the Manager (Rob) and Assistant Manager (John) to seek resolution. As of the date of this post, Pepboys has not corrected the damage to my vehicle to my satisfaction. ***Buyer beware. If you choose to take your vehicle to this shop, you do so at your own risk. Use the Pittsburgh Better Business Bureau to find another shop.**** If you check out the reviews on yahoo.com...scroll to the bottom of the reviews, there is a post by "Rob" on 3/7/11. Hmmm....the shop manager's name is Rob, and the poster's name is Rob....could it be the same person? Quite possible. Anywho, he claims the following, "sometimes things dont go smooth and usually it is the customer who doesnt understand .... usually these places have very good service getting your car fixed is not like going through mcdonalds". Really Rob? There seems to be a definite trend of customers seeking a simple inspection which results in hundreds to thousands of dollars in repairs. If the customer doesn't understand why their vehicle needs repairs, it is up to the mechanic, service rep, or manager to explain the issues. That's part of good customer service. This is an awful company. I will never go to another Pep Boys again, I will communicate my experience to all my friends and colleagues, and in the future I will go out of my way to use a different shop/mechanic.
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Loss:
$500
2 comments
Guest

First of all locking lug nuts suck.....throw them away....second of all lugnuts wear from going on and off over the course of time..it's not their fault you probably drive some old pos :cry

Guest

Seriously ur arguing about 20 dollar lug nuts ur just cheap and want something for free. I know the economy is bad but my god this is ridiculousl get a life......loser

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Anonymous
map-marker Athens, Georgia

Taking Advantage of the Elderly

I replaced a tire I damaged with one from PepBoys and it has been a nightmare ever since. The tire they sold me was the correct size, but it was not the correct width.

3 of the tires on my care were 90T and they sold me a 90s which is a lesser width tire. When I went to exchange the tire 24 hours later I was told "there was nothing that could be done because I had driven on the tire." Unless I was doing doughnuts in the street at 76 years old, I think they could have exchanged the tire. Besides, isn't this a safety hazard because of the difference in handling with miss-matched tires?

After an extensive shell game with customer service, they closed the case and now im stuck with improper tires.

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Loss:
$55
1 comment
Guest

the s on the tire has nothing to do with the width that is a performance rating. You really should educate yourself a little better before this complaint. All you have done is made yourself sound ***

nancy k Rmm
map-marker Sewell, New Jersey

Pep boys - bear, delaware.... a rip off

my car was making very loud sounds when the car started and the air conditioner was on. I took it to the pep boys in bear delaware that handles these types of problems. They charged me 1100.00 dollars and said it wasn't the airconditioner... but a tierod problem. after i got it back the radio didn't work. pep boys told me to bring it back, after missing time from work , and bringing it back, upon arrival i was told that the customer service rep had made an error and i didn't need to bring it in. that i could just enter the code from the manual. after going home - i immediately noticed that my driving running lights, the clock,and the alarm were shutting off and on by themselves. when calling i was told the manager was on vacation and i left a message for him to call me. he didnt call. so i called two weeks later and he said it sounds like a loose ground wire. so back to the store again,more work time lost. i call after the car has been there for 4 hours and ask when it will be done. they advise it is already done,and when asked why no one called, i was told i dont know. when picking it up, they told me it was a battery short and they fixed it. as i was leaving the parking lot, what do you know it was doing it again. i stormedback in the storm, the lady saw me coming and leaned to two service guys and said that lady is coming back and she looks like she has an attitude and he said well i don't know and shook his head. i told her this isn't fixed and she sighed heavily and said i'll tell them to pull it back in. i told her to forget it and they seemed relieved to be rid of me. NEVER NEVER NEVER take your car here, it is a rip off and the problem doesnt get fixed.
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Loss:
$1100
2 comments
Guest

I scheduled an appointment nine days in advance for a radiator flush and fill as well as a gear oil (standard transmission) flush and fill to be completed at the Pep Boys in Bear, Delaware at 8 AM on the 19th of July. I arrived early for my scheduled appointment yet I had to wait for other cars that also arrived early.

This was not how I had hoped to be treated for my first ever service at this center. My car finally made it to the racks by 8:30 AM. By 9:15 AM, my name was called and I was satisfied with the completion time even though I was not first on the racks as promised. I ordered top rated quality fluids (Peak coolant and Mobile 1 full synthetic gear oil).

I use only quality parts and fluids. I paid my invoice and I was on my way home when I decided to stop at another parts store to buy an air filter and a cabin air filter. As I was installing the new air filter under the hood, I decided to take my coolant tester from the trunk to check the quality of my new coolant. I discovered that there was no coolant in the reservoir and there no sign of any discharge from the reservoir overflow indicating that the reservoir had not been filled.

IT WAS BONE DRY! I was unable to return that same day because the center was nearly an hour from my home and I'd already spent an hour getting there and another hour returning home. I decided to return to Pep Boys in Bear on the 22nd to report my findings. The service manager called out the technician that performed the work and the technician said that he could not explain it.

He, too, could see no coolant in the reservoir. Of course, I know that he had likely not performed the work as requested. In any case, he took my car back into the service area to give it a pressure test. He came back out several minutes later and reported that the car had no loss of pressure thus a leak of any kind was not an issue.

I requested that he top it off and he did but I'm left wondering whether he truly flushed it or did he just drain it and refill it? I'm also wondering whether he flushed and filled my gear oil or just drained it and refilled it? Before I left, the service manager extended his hand for a handshake. He gave me his card and asked me to contact him if there was any issue.

I thanked him and was on my way. I took him up on his offer to contact him.

I sent him a rather lengthy email with my concerns and asked him to respond. To this date, I have heard NOTHING.

I will not return.

Guest

I noticed my Radiator leaking antifreeze the Night before so the next morning,

I took my car to Pepboys on Dupont Hwy in Newcastle Delaware to have the Radiator checked. They move the car in to the bay area to check it. The Mechanic

Act like he didn’t know what a radiator was. He then walked over to his boss and

Ask him what he was to check, then he went back over to the car looked under the

Hood and then under the car, picked up a bottle of antifreeze and poured some on the floor on the passenger’s side of the car under the radiator, then told his boss that

He found the leak. His boss then asked me to come over to the car so he could show me the leak. I asked the boss how much would it cost to get fixed the boss went to the computer and pressed a couple of keys, then came over to me and said it would

Cost $799.00 dollars because I had a hairline crack on the side of the radiator. I never told them were the leak was their leak was on the passenger’s side of the car

The leak I noticed was on the driver’s side, so I told them that was to much and I would fix I my self but the parts 1 Radiator $163.00 and 2hrs and its fixed. By the way the leak on the passengers side was never there so the mechanic made that hole his self!!!! Never take you care there they w-i-l-l Rip u OFF!!!

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Anonymous
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

SErvIce

I was taking my rental to the pep boys in. aguadilla puerto rico.The service was outstanding the servIce and parts department great job.I didn't like the way the store manager was taking tio the employees.I was offended by his lack of professionalism.I want to take the opportunity to say thanks to Mr.Anglada for a great service.I would appreciate that somebody give store lawmakers intensive course in. how to treat co workers and how to act professionally in. front of customers especially when they talk to employees.i don't get the verbal abuse.
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Anonymous
map-marker Stafford, Texas

***

I bought an altenator 2 years ago from u guys and it started to make a weird sound and my car started to die took it in and they said it tested good, but o now the battrie light stays on all the time my car dosent know weather to die or stay running. I changed the belt water pump and all my pulleys and the noise is still coming from my altenator, and I have a life time warranty and they won't give it to me now and that's bull ***. I just want my altenator should've went with napa
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Loss:
$174
4 comments
Guest

The lifetime warranty is on a defective part. If they put it on their tester and it tests good there is nothing to warrant.

Napa would have told you the same thing. You CANT defect warranty something that is not defective.

If the bearing was going bad they would have heard it in the store during testing. :cry

Guest

Life time warranty is for defects in the equipment. A squeaking sound would mean a bad bearing and would be covered.

If they checked it outside the car inside the store it would have been easy to tell or not. If they checked it inside the car, they would have sprayed lubricant on the alt if it wasn't clear that noise was coming for it to see if it stopped. Even though you said you replaced belts/pullies it could be a major component.

Like AC compressor, water pump, Power steering pump, ext that have a bad bearing. This could cause drag on the system, and prevent the altenator from functioning properly.

Guest

Don't worry if your (BATTRIE) light is on.There is nothing wrong with your (battery).Try checking the owners manual to see what that light is for.

Jessica T Aer

Just out of curiosity, have they given you a reason they won't assist you even though you have a lifetime warranty?

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Anonymous
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Improper install of spark plugs

I had maintainance work done, installation of spark plugs, and the Pep Boys service manager informed me that they had problems installing one plug. I had problems with the same plug a while later and Pep Boys informed me that they would only cover the $16 I paid in plugs. The problem is not the plugs, it was the inital install which cost me an additional $577.94 to have it corrected. Pep Boys values "Quality Workmanship". They fell short and assume no responsibilty. I will discourage anyone from seeking car repair service to Pep Boys based on my experience in the future.
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1 comment
Guest

Generally speaking the reason they had a hard time installing one plug is probably because it was cross threaded in one time and now has kind of a dual thread pattern. Even if you run a tap in it it may never be the same. You need to mark that cylinder so that when it gets worked on that one needs special attention to run the sparkplug by hand before using a ratchet to tighten it completely.

Kendarious Vks
map-marker Gulfport, Mississippi

Pep Boys:No free tire!

The 4th tire is NOT free! They charged me $155.24 and almost 3 hrs. of my time to put on 4 tires! This was my second visit and my last. The breakdown is: 10.00 to touch the 4 tires, 51.96 to balance them, 65.32 for road hazard, and 27.96 for 4 valve stems.I saw $781 as an estimate when I signed the work order but figured this was 'an estimate' since they were trying to sell me an alignment for $70 which I just had dome at my local shop. They offered to change the bulb over my license plate for $14.98! The windshield wiper install was $15.98. I refused. I sure hope my tires last.I told the young men at the register I was unhappy. He said, "But our tires are the cheapest." I told him they are not the cheapest when you charge $155.24 to install them. I should've ordered my Michelin's and saved some money.
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6 comments
Guest

Yeah the breakdown was correct on that they did not force you to get the service you accepted and yes it cost 2.50 a tire to get ride of scrap tires *** bag you cant burn them its against the law they have to be recycled and you will get a rebate on that 4th tire which was explained to you before your car even rolled in the shop yeah order your tires online then when one blows out then what the *** you gonna do? you gotta send it back to them other then coming to pepboys and getting professional help and having your tire pro rated and changed that day

Guest

sorry but I was trying to save money for a sex change

Guest

You get the price of one in the mail ur just a cheap ,broke *** who wants everything for free.... and if u buy michellins you still have to install them and align the car but get no warranty....loser

Guest

Oh, I forgot the best part. Since you don't think the 4th tire is free, can I have the $155 debit card when you get it in the mail? I could use the money.

Guest

The $10 is to throw out your old ones. They take this off if you take the tires back.

Everyone charges for balancing. The road hazard insures your tires in case they can't be fixed, which you will thank next winter when you hit a pothole, destroy your tire, and go back and get a free one.

The 14.98 includes the bulbs and labor, and the wiper installation is free. You could have gotten the installation cheaper, but the tires would be in the back seat, not on the rims.

Green L

10 dollars isn't to "touch" the tires. It's a handling charge.

They're disposing of the tires for you. That costs a lot of money, hence them charging you 2.50 per tire. Wiper install? 15.98 is the price of the wiper blades.

They install it for free.

27.96 is a decent charge for TPMS valve stems, which you have if your car is 2008 or newer. Quit yer ***.

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Anonymous
map-marker Newark, New Jersey

The Pep Boys 2hour oil change

Got to Pep Boys on Parsippany NJ at 8:00 AM for an Oil Change...Nothing more, Nothing Less...I was the second person on line...meanwhile 2 hours later, customers fighting with the inept service managers and a couple of people just walking out pissed, it left me with a feeling that the company needs a massive overall in their Customer Service Training and organizational structure as to how to work efficiently and treat their customers properly...GET IT DONE! I work for a service company and was amazed as I watched the lunacy this morning.The customer is ALWAYS right!
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Loss:
$85
Anonymous
map-marker Boston, Massachusetts

I had to wait hrs for and oil change

I went to the Springfield Ma. location for an oil change and for them to tighten the power steering belt that pep boys had put on several months before that was slipping really bad. There wasn't anyone before me except a lady that was leaving her car.She left and the staff kept me waiting for over 45 min. before the ever took down my info. I felt like a fool.It took several hours yes several hours for them to finish. I sent them a e-mail with the names and times on July 3rd. The Pep Boys haven't been very peppy about responding.
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Anonymous
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Purposeful Misdiagnosis!!!

I brought my car to Pep Boys in Moorestown, NJ with a radiator leak, they diagnosed that my serpentine belt was loose, it needed a tensioner and a radiator flush/fill.

I know little about cars, but I know that if the serpentine belt isn't working correctly, it wouldn't be just the radiator malfunctioning but most of the other operations, too. Also, I checked the belt myself after they told me this - it was very tight and functioning properly.

Their charge for this repair: $475. I removed my car from their garage and took it to a trusted mechanic in Philly (which I should have in the first place, but didn't want to push my car too far when there was a problem). They told me - if the problem WAS the serpentine tensioner, the cost for that (parts+labor) would have been $113. THAT'S $300 LESS THAN PEP BOYS!!!

Turns out- that wasn't the problem at all, as I had thought. It needed new radiator elbows, a minor charge. Pep Boys are trained to lie and and suck the cash out of consumers. It has been this way at every Pep Boys I have patronized, and unfortunately I don't think it will change. They'll say anything or make up any repair to charge you more. Save yourself and do not trust them!

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2 comments
Guest

soooooo...if they're bad, evil, thieving, etc....why do you go back?

Guest

now make sure you post back when your car is broke again and youre asking pepboys to fix it. Everyone wants the cheap fix but because the belt is functioning properly at the moment doesnt mean its ok.

did you check for cracks or missing teeth because you may have wasted the money on the work you did when the belt breaks and ruins everything again... Good luck tho.

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