Painted Calipers Voids Warranty?

[Stryker617]

Ok, this is kind of a long story, read if you want.

I was driving home monday this week. Took off from a red light after it changed green, hit a small hole in the road, nothing major, and nothing new. Heard something metal hit my car, but didn't think anything of it. At the next light, I slowed down, and heard a grinding noise. I had something like this happen before to me, so I pulled over and checked it out. Sure enough, my caliper and the mount lost one bolt, and was grinding my rim down.

I got it towed to a dealership, since it's got 33,048 miles on it now. It's still under warranty. Called up insurance, since I have a mechanical breakdown policy as well. Turns out, Nissan won't cover the parts since they're painted calipers. I painted them back in June of this year. Took the car to a Nissan Dealer in July to have the rotors cut since they were vibrating when I would stop. They fixed it, and said it was under warranty.

Now I need a new rim, new bolt which apparently no one has and will take 3 days to get if that, and maybe a new caliper mount or new hub where the mount connects to on the car since the threads are gone now.

Is this true that if you paint your calipers it voids your warranty? I asked a service guy at the dealer before I painted them if it did, and he said no. Now they're changing their story.

[Stryker617]

By the way, this is on a 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe. I posted it here since everyone here has the same car, and knows something like this shouldn't happen in the first place on something still new.

[Ranga14]

By the way, this is on a 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe. I posted it here since everyone here has the same car, and knows something like this shouldn't happen in the first place on something still new.

That's an aesthetic thing, they can't say doing anything aesthetic would void your warranty I believe, sounds shady. I'm not too familiar with the laws so someone else would have to chime in too.

[shortys408]

shouldnt void your warrantyhttp://en.wakopedia.org/wiki/M...y_Act

they must prove that your painted calipers caused the damage for them to be able to void your warranty.

[johnnir3volution]

I think it can void your warranty if you didn't do it right. Meaning, if you took the bolts off to paint the calipers and then installing them back on with out tightening them right then I'm sure its your fault not Nissans therefor your warranty for the calipers are voided.

[Stryker617]

looks like painting them does void the warranty. Just got off the phone with Nissan warranty

[Stryker617]

The dealership worked on them after I painted them. I had warped rotors and they had to fix them.

[AZhitman]

A few questions first:

Did you remove the caliper to paint it?

Did you disassemble the caliper and paint ONLY the main aliper body, then reassemble the pins / sliders / clips / pads / shims and lubricate everything properly?

I'm guessing the dealership isn't communicating with you properly. What they SHOULD have said is, they're declining warranty on the brakes due to improper installation.

If the caliper came loose from the spindle, this would imply that the two bolts weren't torqued properly.

If you didn't remove the caliper and disassemble it to pain it, the only thnig you're guilty of is doing a ricer caliper paintjob.

Under Magnussen-Moss, the manufacturer can ONLY deny warranty coverage if they can show that the aftermarket part (paint?) directly contributed to the failure of the component.

We need more info.

[AZhitman]

EDIT: I took too long to compose my response, looks like several people were thinking the same thing.

[Hussain]

I think it can void your warranty if you didn't do it right. Meaning, if you took the bolts off to paint the calipers and then installing them back on with out tightening them right then I'm sure its your fault not Nissans therefor your warranty for the calipers are voided.

ya thats what i was thinking.... if a bolt comes loose and falls off and you were the last one to take it off (to paint the caliper) then its your fault.... it all depends on the dealership though, if you have cool people working there then i'm sure they'd just fix it under warranty.

[AZhitman]

Problem is, there's a LOT of damage.

A new wheel, spindle, hub, caliper, pads, and maybe a rotor? That's probably well over a grand (dealer pricing).

[FATT STRIPES]

sounds like he wasnt the last to remove the caliper, he said nissan turned, or replaced a set of warped rotors after he had already painted the calipers

[Rmuth25]

Just because you did not take off the caliper to paint it doesn't mean its "ricer." Maybe some of us were smart to not try to take apart the caliper to paint it because we are not mechanics. Look who's laughing now.

I challenge any one who did it the "non-ricer" way to compare it to mine and I guarantee you that you will not notice a difference.

[kyle@stillen]

I would simply go to the dealership and ask them to explain to you how the painted caliper caused the bolt to brake.

If they follow up with an answer of "improper installation from when you re-installed the caliper" then have your work order from the work they did in July ready to show them that they were the last ones to work on them. You painted the calipers in June, and they worked on them in July.

Here is the hard part, they are used to people lying to them saying "well no, I did these in June before you worked on them and the problem occured after you worked on them (five months ago) so you have to trust that I really haven't painted them within the past five months..."

Also, I would walk around the area where the damage occured and try to find a broken bolt. I highly doubt that the bolt just fell out unless it was already on the last thread or two and really only need one solid jar to shake it loose. In which case you should have felt your caliper bracket shuddering a looooong time ago. I'm just going to assume that the bolt actually broke. If you find the broken bolt, take it into them and say here ya go dude! Your broken bolt is the culprit!!!

[kyle@stillen]

Another option is to take the issue to your local city council. If the damage was caused by a pot hole or something along those lines...Some cities will actually pay to fix your car. It can be a fight, but considering all the parts involved, it's worth it!

[Stryker617]

lol, thanks for the input. I painted them because a buddy of mine brought up the idea. I've worked on cars before, I'm helping my buddy restore a '71 challenger. I've also been through autos classes, and went for the ASE certification back in High School. My father worked on brakes at Sears for 17 years, and taught me everything about them. I know how to put together brakes, I do it all all my cars, and all the oil changes, and what not needed to keep them running good. Trannys are not my thing, so once those go, bye bye car.

I understand if I was the last one to touch them, but I wasn't. The dealer was. Now they won't cover it, and the guys there are cool, it's the manager that's a complete d!ck! Through my insurance it would cost me 250 to fix. I've spent so far 270, and no work has been done yet.

This week has gone from bad to worse. I just want it to end and I want my car back.

[Stryker617]

I went looking for the bolt, nothing around there, and the hole I hit, wasn't a major one. Just some concrete repair on the road. I did notice some "grinding" noise the past few weeks on the brakes, but after testing them a few times with hitting them at different pressures, I didn't think anything of it.

From what one dealership said, since I brought it to a different dealer since they were only 3 miles away from where this all happened, they said someone cross threaded the bolt, and didn't tighten it completely.

Also the service manager, who seemed to be a pretty nice guy, said that if this happened and they were the last ones to touch it, they'd fix it, no questions asked.

I think someone else just got my business, at least till my warranty runs out and my service contract runs out at 45,000 miles

[AZhitman]

Just because you did not take off the caliper to paint it doesn't mean its "ricer." Maybe some of us were smart to not try to take apart the caliper to paint it because we are not mechanics. Look who's laughing now.

I challenge any one who did it the "non-ricer" way to compare it to mine and I guarantee you that you will not notice a difference.

Really? Want to put $ on that?

It's two bolts. I'm not a "mechanic" either. If you don't know, LEARN.

We have Factory Service Manuals for you guys to download FREE for a reason.

[AZhitman]

I did notice some "grinding" noise the past few weeks on the brakes, but after testing them a few times with hitting them at different pressures, I didn't think anything of it.

That was the misaligned caliper rubbing on the rotor, most likely.

[Stryker617]

Wasn't sure what it was, cuz when I tried to do a "road test" it didn't make the same grinding noise. Guess I should've checked them out when I heard it

[Stryker617]

Ok, so here's the verdict. My insurance company stopped helping, sine the bolt is missing, it can't be claimed as a mechanical breakdown. The dealership said that since I drove 7000 miles already on it, they won't cover it.

A new rim for the car costs 545, the bolt is 4.99, the labor, who knows, reset the tires pressure gauge, 55, plus the diagnostics fee from this dealer, 139.95.

So far, just in parts, this will cost me 1023.89 out of pocket, minus the labor costs at 139.95/hr

Do I keep b****ing at the dealership? Apparently their workmanship warranty is 12 months/12,000 miles. Not to mention the rotated the tires for me back in September.

I'm lost, and I really can't afford this much in costs. I'm about to say screw it and go blow the place up, j/k.

[Broadfield]

I challenge any one who did it the "non-ricer" way to compare it to mine and I guarantee you that you will not notice a difference.

I'll take that challenge

[AZhitman]

I'll take that challenge

I know you better than that.

Toby Broadfield would never paint calipers anyway... he'd powdercoat them.

[AZhitman]

Ok, so here's the verdict. My insurance company stopped helping, sine the bolt is missing, it can't be claimed as a mechanical breakdown. The dealership said that since I drove 7000 miles already on it, they won't cover it.

A new rim for the car costs 545, the bolt is 4.99, the labor, who knows, reset the tires pressure gauge, 55, plus the diagnostics fee from this dealer, 139.95.

So far, just in parts, this will cost me 1023.89 out of pocket, minus the labor costs at 139.95/hr

Do I keep b****ing at the dealership? Apparently their workmanship warranty is 12 months/12,000 miles. Not to mention the rotated the tires for me back in September.

I'm lost, and I really can't afford this much in costs. I'm about to say screw it and go blow the place up, j/k.

Let's see some detailed pics of the damage.

If you can find a wrecked Coupe at a local junkyard, we can help you get it fixed for cheap.

First, find a wheel. I'll bet there's someone here with a set of stockers they're never gonna use. Then, lets find a caliper, and find out if there's damage to the hub and spindle (specifically where the bolt threads in).

It MIGHT be cheaper just to buy the whole assembly if we can find a wrecked one.

[Stryker617]

Based one what the first dealership said, it had to be re-tapped. The second dealer said a new bolt fits fine. No damage to the caliper, or anything. Problem is, all the needless costs of towing it, dealerships looking at it, and then getting it back here to work on. So far I've spent 270. I still gotta pay the 139.95 to the second dealership, since they want their money as well.

Then getting is back home here so I can work on it. I don't know how much a new rim would be, but that's what I'm going to be looking for tomorrow.

[Broadfield]

I know you better than that.

Toby Broadfield would never paint calipers anyway... he'd powdercoat them.

Hey, he just said "the non-ricer" way. Of course I powder coated them, and even zinc plated my own hardware etc. My zinc plating kit looks like a meth lab in my basement..... not that I would know what a meth lab looks like

[SLAZHAMMER]

Speaking of voided warranty... Garland Nissan of Hopkinsville KY was trying to tell me my warranty would be voided because they think I smoked the tires and they think the car is being abused... Because Im a soldier in the US Army and I am a stereotypical young adult soldier... whatever, The only alterations I have to my AC 3.5se are cold air and aftermarket wheels and tires... it has 11000 miles and the damn transmission is leaking WTF!!! anyway I have to take the car back next week at the behest of Garland Nissan. We'll see what they do... There is no way they can void your warranty unless they can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt IN COURT that what you did caused damage to the part of the car that failed. And if anyone in the Ft. Campbell area reading this, dont buy from Gary Matthews or Garland. they can suck it 2 times

[kyle@stillen]

To the OP:

Seriously, go to your city council! If it was a repair job that they had done improperly then they are responsible for the damage you incurred...

Speaking of voided warranty... Garland Nissan of Hopkinsville KY was trying to tell me my warranty would be voided because they think I smoked the tires and they think the car is being abused... Because Im a soldier in the US Army and I am a stereotypical young adult soldier... whatever, The only alterations I have to my AC 3.5se are cold air and aftermarket wheels and tires... it has 11000 miles and the damn transmission is leaking WTF!!! anyway I have to take the car back next week at the behest of Garland Nissan. We'll see what they do... There is no way they can void your warranty unless they can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt IN COURT that what you did caused damage to the part of the car that failed. And if anyone in the Ft. Campbell area reading this, dont buy from Gary Matthews or Garland. they can suck it 2 times

They're idiots...unless they have solid evidence showing that you are abusing your car or you are doing burn outs then they can't do anything. Unless there are chunks of rubber under your wheel wells they have no evidence...

[Infantry1327]

Speaking of voided warranty... Garland Nissan of Hopkinsville KY was trying to tell me my warranty would be voided because they think I smoked the tires and they think the car is being abused... Because Im a soldier in the US Army and I am a stereotypical young adult soldier... whatever, The only alterations I have to my AC 3.5se are cold air and aftermarket wheels and tires... it has 11000 miles and the damn transmission is leaking WTF!!! anyway I have to take the car back next week at the behest of Garland Nissan. We'll see what they do... There is no way they can void your warranty unless they can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt IN COURT that what you did caused damage to the part of the car that failed. And if anyone in the Ft. Campbell area reading this, dont buy from Gary Matthews or Garland. they can suck it 2 times

Why you would buy a car from anywhere within a 50 mile radius of Ft. Campbell is beyond me. They are all sharks praying on young soldiers. Why wouldn't they want to sell you a car, you have a steady pay check and if you don't pay they call your CO and he makes you pay. Its a win win for them. But the Army does work in your favor some times. Tell the dealer that you are going to report them to the base and have there dealership black listed. I forget what its called but if you go to jag there are some people there that are like the civilian equivalent of the better business bureau. They will investigate and if they find the dealer is being unfair they will restrict all military personnel from buying cars from them.

For the OP, Just head to the junk yard and find a wrecked coupe. Grab the bolt you are missing and break it. then take it to the dealer and say u found it. Just remember to cross thread it a bit so it looks like it came from your car. I know this sounds a bit unethical, but if they are going to play dirty pool then u need to play dirty pool. If that doesnt sound like you then i got another idea. If you are like the rest of us then you take pictures of your car after every mod. Find your pictures and see if they are time stamped. If so, take the pictures in and show them that they where painted before your last service from them

[Stryker617]

Well guess what!? The other side is now missing a bolt. Just happened about 3 hours ago as I'm driving to work. Dealership says nothing is noted about looking at the other side, so they won't help.

Now what besides fixing it myself?