Servicing methods, what do you do?

[thefallenangel]

I've just had my bike back from a service with a "seized rear brake" for which a dealer was prepared to order in strip the caliper down and rebuild it all lovely for me. I took the sliding bolts off to find one rusted and the piston was free as a bird. It's the 3rd service i've had in my service pack from said company with 2 stores and they've taken double the time, had me go home in a recovery truck or this has happened. It's really not fair when there are legit guys out there who do a brilliant job and are spot on with their service. I'm mechanically fine with doing basic servicing so i'll be not resuming this "package" again.

So i'm just wondering how other Org'ers do their servicing and whether anyone else has a service pack?

[7755matt]

I plan to do all my own servicing. Im a trained car mechanic and my mate is an apprenticed bike mechanic so between us we have the kit and the know how, although to be fair, he does most of it and I make the tea :D

[Cairo]

I'm concerned about servicing too. I can follow simple instructions in a Haynes manual but for a basic service do pros offer any more than that other than a dated stamp in the service book? Also how important is a regular stamp with regard to future resale value?

[MattCollins]

tfa, in fairness and based on the little you have told us, I am unconvinced that there has been any wrong doing on the part of the dealer.
It would seem that the mechanic was vigilant in spotting the "seized" caliper even if it was only a slider causing problems. He wouldn't have known the extent of the problem until opening it up, but one problem is a fair indication that the whole lot needs to be done and while you might be happy to pull it apart and clean up the existing bits, mechanics as a rule don't (or shouldn't) work like that.
The proper operation of that caliper is a roadworthy item (in this case probably a fail), so the mechanic did the only responsible thing by offering to fix it and failing that sending it home on the back of a recovery vehicle. If you had thrown it down the road on the way home, the mob mentality of this forum would have been baying for blood.
Taking twice as long to do a service is not such a bad thing if the mechanic is doing the right thing and checking the entire bike. Of course, they might be milking it a little, but a full service should NOT take an hour. Heck, my Beemer spends a full day on the hoist every 10,000km - it is not a drop the oil and change the filter type service...

The $400 question is if you were servicing the bike, would you have spotted the caliper problem in it's early stages? That is, before the calipers locked solid, your pads and discs evaporated in a cloud of stink and the disks warped. Would you have even checked?

Cheers

[thefallenangel]

tfa, in fairness and based on the little you have told us, I am unconvinced that there has been any wrong doing on the part of the dealer.
It would seem that the mechanic was vigilant in spotting the "seized" caliper even if it was only a slider causing problems. He wouldn't have known the extent of the problem until opening it up, but one problem is a fair indication that the whole lot needs to be done and while you might be happy to pull it apart and clean up the existing bits, mechanics as a rule don't (or shouldn't) work like that.
The proper operation of that caliper is a roadworthy item (in this case probably a fail), so the mechanic did the only responsible thing by offering to fix it and failing that sending it home on the back of a recovery vehicle. If you had thrown it down the road on the way home, the mob mentality of this forum would have been baying for blood.
Taking twice as long to do a service is not such a bad thing if the mechanic is doing the right thing and checking the entire bike. Of course, they might be milking it a little, but a full service should NOT take an hour. Heck, my Beemer spends a full day on the hoist every 10,000km - it is not a drop the oil and change the filter type service...

The $400 question is if you were servicing the bike, would you have spotted the caliper problem in it's early stages? That is, before the calipers locked solid, your pads and discs evaporated in a cloud of stink and the disks warped. Would you have even checked?

Cheers


As part of a service greasing things should be a minimum and if he had inspected the caliper he would of had to take the sliding pins out to get a close look at the piston operation. They wanted a full strip down and rebuild of the caliper with new seals. To be honest apart from greasing the battery terminals and change the oil i don't think they did anything else. Also my front brake was leaking. Funny that because i've not seen no loeaks and brake fluid would cut through all the dirt on my bike.

And i knew the caliper was good as i'd stripped it down recently. I bumped into a guy i work with when i walked in and he said "Why did you have it serviced with these?".

And $400 dollar question was i got home and took the pins out, one was greased and the other was rusted. Go figure. And this caliper was just serviced.

[-Ralph-]

Matt makes some good points, but I am doing my own servicing now when out of warranty and the results are eye opening. My bike had a full main dealer service history up to and including the big one at 15k miles, the next service I did myself. My wife's car was full main dealer service history up until 50k miles and I did the last service myself on that too.

On the bike I ran out of clutch adjustment at the lever, so had to adjust it at the bottom end. When I pulled the cover off it was obvious that it had never been off and the adjustment had never been carried out. According to Suzuki's service schedule it should have been checked at every service, that's 5 main dealer services where it should have been done and wasn't.

My wife's car has never used oil, and I've never in 6 years had to buy oil for it between services. When I pulled out the manual to find out what oil should be used I was surprised to find it was the expensive fully synthetic VW specification stuff that was specified, Castrol Edge or similar. I checked all my invoices from the main dealer I found that they have used a cheaper semi-synthetic oil since the car was new. Luckily it's been serviced on time rather than mileage, so never done more than 10K miles between servicing, but what if a garage puts semi-synthetic in a car that needs fully synthetic 'cos the owner is doing 20k miles between services? The car will spend half it's life running on oil which is in need of a change. That's just sheer negligence and if you ask me fraud, on the part of the garage.

When I do the services, like Matt I take a full day and check everything on the service schedule and print a copy to use as a tick list and record condition of pads, tyres, etc. The amount of times I've phoned a garage at 4pm to see if a vehicle is ready for collection as they've had it all day, and they say, it's just going into the workshop now, it should be ready for you in an hour, and the number of garages that offer to service "while you wait", I now realise having gone through the proper service schedule myself, there's no way the main dealers are checking everything they are supposed to check and if necessary adjust, in the time that your vehicle spends in the workshop.

A full service history should mean that the car has been properly serviced according to the schedule, but it just doesn't I'm afraid, it means that the car has been in and out of a workshop in the shortest time possible, serviced my a mechanic who is under pressure to get 10 cars serviced that day, and who really couldn't give a **** if the job is done properly as it's not his car or his money.

Buy a 4 year old 80k mile car that's got 20k service intervals and a full main dealer service history at your peril. There's a good chance it did did that mileage on the wrong semi-synthetic oil 'cos the dealer was trying to keep his costs down and make a bit more profit on the servicing.

Have a look at the service schedule for the SV in the Suzuki workshop manual. A standard 4K service includes things like taking a torque wrench to literally tens if not a hundred different bolts to check for correct tightness, do you think your dealer does that when he services your bike? Does he b***dy heck!

Next new vehicle I have will be getting serviced at the dealer for the warranty period, in order to maintain the warranty and get stamps in the book, but I'll be asking for proof of all the parts and consumables used on the vehicle, asking for a copy of the full service schedule tick list, and I'll checking over all the work myself as soon as I get the vehicle home. If I find a single tick on the sheet, for something that hasn't actually been done on the vehicle I'll be writing to the manufacturers complaints dept.

[tigersaw]

I dont even go as far as to have (bike) services done within the warrentee period. I do all the work myself and ensure the correct materials are used, to hell with the loss of resale value.
From experience of dealer servicing, I've suffered a mis threaded sump plug (found 3 months later of course so I could not blame them), and a broken speedo due to their pressure washing - both from a very large main dealer in Crawley..

PS - low milage and properly serviced ER6 still for sale :)

[Dave20046]

Do it all me self, know it's been done - and costs me F all. There is a service guide somewhere on the net - I might have it infact can email it you if you need.

[Alpinestarhero]

I do as much as I can, under the supervision of someone experianced. For things that I know are out of my skills, I at least study to understand what is required

If I can't do it, and my dad cant do it, then I'll ask SpannerMan to do it :cool:

As for the jobs that get done each service, well I generally go on miles. Oil is changed every 4500 miles (up to 5000 depending). Valves I like done every 15,000 (little sooner than recommended). Spark plugs every other oil change. I didnt realise the clutch worm-drive adjustment is to be done on every service; I tend to do it as i feel it needs doing (I clean the chain thouroughly each fortnight and inspect that area anyway).

With regards to cars, I ensure maria's car has an oil change every 7000 miles or so. Spark plugs are apaprently good for 30,000 miles, but I don't trust that and will get them changed every 20,000. I'm unsure of timing belt service intervals so have to reply on a professional's judegment.

Generally, I find that keeping a close eye on things and regularly checking important things like oil levels etc, you can keep a bike / car regularly maintained instead of going for a big service once a year or whatever, only then uncovering nasties

[thefallenangel]

timing belts are generally 70k but i've heard of it being dropped to 36k but i dunno.

I just think how can i have my bike serviced at 2 dealers and have really bad problems.

And i've just checked none of my pivot joints have been greased on the service (gear or brake).

[7755matt]

Yeah timing belts seem to be 60-80k, itmay be suggested that they are done around 36k for a car that does lots of stop start short journeys as there is more stress on the belt.

A typical dealer car service actually probably consists of far less than people think. There is a service schedule, listign the checks needed. The most involved job of a minor service is probably oil and filter. Many manufacturers service schedules dont even require the wheels to come off to check the brakes.

When I service anything I check all teh safety related items, I will proobably do oil and filter everytime (its only a few quid for the filter so why compromise). But they beauty of doing it yourself is that you build up the confidence, soo gradually do the more involved jobs.

There seems loads of people here too that would help

I had a bike serviced at a reputable bike shop once (it was an old MZ ETZ). I took it for a new back tyre, when i collected it that afternoon they hadnt done the tyre as they couldnt remove the spindle. Theyd been whacking it all day and not once checked to see if it screwed out. Ive never trusted garages since

[Alpinestarhero]

Ah,maria's belt was replaced at 42,000 miles - sounds about right then considering car is used for town driving (london driving). I was expecting 80,000 miles but now i know it to be differant i'll keep an eye on it

[Dave20046]

Ah,maria's belt was replaced at 42,000 miles - sounds about right then considering car is used for town driving (london driving). I was expecting 80,000 miles but now i know it to be differant i'll keep an eye on it
Golfs every 35k!
Bought mine on 42k replaced it even though it wasn't due, there were cracks in the whole assembly - just about to pack in. Lucky!

[Viney]

My Sv was serviced by the dealer for the 1st 4 years, then i now do it myself. I am always tinkering,s o do find sized stuff and have done most of the stuff you can do to stop this in the future. The only thing that i havent done yet is check the valves as they havent been checked in the last 44000 miles! Something i aim to do one day!

Other than that, £20 for an oil change, and parts as and when is easier than the whole £150 every 4000 miles trick! Oh, i did get our resident squid to sort my fork seals out once, which he did using the strangest tools you have ever seen (Broom handles, drain pips etc)

[Alpinestarhero]

Golfs every 35k!
Bought mine on 42k replaced it even though it wasn't due, there were cracks in the whole assembly - just about to pack in. Lucky!

Thats how maria's was. I was quite horrified, since the week previous we had been at high rpm's on the motorway :shock:

[yorkie_chris]

So i'm just wondering how other Org'ers do their servicing

and whether anyone else has a service pack?

I do more than the book says, and no, I would not get myself ripped off with a service pack.

[thefallenangel]

I do more than the book says, and no, I would not get myself ripped off with a service pack.


good last time i listen to my dad.

[MattCollins]

Service packs are good for some... but I reckon that anyone who rides really should learn to do a lot of it themselves for no other reason than to understand their bike better.

Cheers

[wattyfred89]

My Sv was serviced by the dealer for the 1st 4 years, then i now do it myself. I am always tinkering,s o do find sized stuff and have done most of the stuff you can do to stop this in the future. The only thing that i havent done yet is check the valves as they havent been checked in the last 44000 miles! Something i aim to do one day!

Other than that, £20 for an oil change, and parts as and when is easier than the whole £150 every 4000 miles trick! Oh, i did get our resident squid to sort my fork seals out once, which he did using the strangest tools you have ever seen (Broom handles, drain pips etc)

is that correct that you havn't done your valve clearances in 44000 miles? i jst gt mine done (onlt bit along with throttle bodies that i didnt do myself) at just before 15000 and two needed adjusting.

What are the reprocussions of not doing them?

Fred :eek:

[rossinio]

I have the 30k coming up now, I am very wary of doing anything with the engine (short of adjusting cables) so it looks like it's going to a dealer/mechanic in Birmingham. I've tried to do everything else including oil changes, chain oiling, taking off wheels, doing front suspension.

Anyone who knows a great mechanic to do the 30k in Birmingham give me a shout :)

[hovis]

.....

your not still taking your bike to the same place after last time are you?

[yorkie_chris]

What are the reprocussions of not doing them?

Fred :eek:

Best case, nothing.

Worst case, burnt valves, frazzled valve seats. Maybe holed pistons, siezed motor.

[wattyfred89]

Best case, nothing.

Worst case, burnt valves, frazzled valve seats. Maybe holed pistons, siezed motor.


cheers

[boot]

Took mine for new tyres and MOT recently, to an independent garage that had been recommended by a few friends. Turn up to collect, it's sailed through the MOT, has lovely new tyres and a bill for £80 more than I expected.

I ask "how do you get it to that much?", he says "tyre, MOT and service" shows me receipt where service items are listed. I was ****ing hopping mad. First thing I think is, he's taken out the expensive oil I'd put in, and charged me £18 for new oil, then I see he's charged me £5 a pop for spark plugs too. Can't remember how much he'd billed the filter at. Thing is, the oil hadn't been changed, neither had the spark plugs, I'd serviced the bike a two weeks previous, oil, filter and spark plug were all replaced in that service. This guy had gone to the trouble of wiping the filter clean on the bike, but on close inspection, you could see traces of dirt on it.

I knew from pre-checks, that at the time, both front callipers had a piston each with a blown dust seal and one had a sticky piston causing the wheel to drag ever so slightly. IMO, This should have been an advisory, but no.

Best way, do it yourself. As Mattco says, you understand your bike better, and I'm with YC, when you do it yourself, you tend to go the extra mile.

If you can build an Ikea wardrobe, you should be able to do most maintenance tasks reasonably well. Try it - it's rewarding. Best bit is, with what you save, you can build a great collection of tools.

[Dave20046]

If you can build an Ikea wardrobe, you should be able to do most maintenance tasks reasonably well. Try it - it's rewarding. Best bit is, with what you save, you can build a great collection of tools.
Agreed. I now for some reason have a 150litre compressor though:confused:

[yorkie_chris]

Sweet! Where'd ya acquire that?

Keep your eye out for a metal lathe if there is more stuff going :-D

[Dave20046]

Sweet! Where'd ya acquire that?

Keep your eye out for a metal lathe if there is more stuff going :-D
Some little company thought it was a fake (chinese crap) for a bit but hmm maybe not, capable of spraying - just never got round to it! Primered some bits but not much else, don't even use it for my tyres cause I can't get to the fecker! Wait til my garage is clear I'll have a fully decked out workshop :cool:

[yorkie_chris]

Even chinese crap supplies air :-D

Spraying, depends because you don't want oil in air.

[Dave20046]

Even chinese crap supplies air :-D

Spraying, depends because you don't want oil in air.
Oh yeah - it's oil free. Made by sealey.
Trying to think of uses for it other than spraying, tyres and impact wrenches. (don't really have a use for airsaws etc on bikes)

[yorkie_chris]

Impact wrench is enough reason to have one, and blowing brake pistons out, blowing carbs out, general de-dusting.

Little die-grinder, ace. Degreaser gun is nice. Cut off tool sometimes useful. Air chisel also good 8)

[Dave20046]

Ah yeah forgot about blowing out carbs - it's come in handy for that. Why did no one tell me you could use them for blowing out brake pistons???! Very useful :)

Hmm I could start servicing the local chav's scootays, you can't (really) get off the variators without an impact wrench