Bad service at Precision Driveline, Phoenix

[dbozman]

Feel weird for even doing this as I've never badmouthed a vendor before.

I've used Precision Driveline before on a different rig and the work was fine. Maybe a little expensive, but no big deal.

Last week, my friend Drew (Drewdog on here) hooked me up with an old TW driveline that he'd broken the CV on to install on my wife's TJ which just got an SYE. He advised just taking it over to Precision to have a new CV built.

So, on Monday, I drive all the way to 32nd Ave and Osborn from N. Scottsdale. Drop the shaft off with the owner and advise I need an entire new CV joint, a new 1310 on the axle end and I need the operating length (static measurement cap to cap at ride height) to be 16.5 inches. He quotes me $200 and it'll be ready on Wednesday.

I call before leaving for work on Wednesday afternoon as I'm halfway there on another errand and the guy on the phone can't answer any questions about the shaft and no one else is there.

I call again Thursday and it's ready. Drive back over there (considering traffic, this is nearly a 2-hour round trip for me), pick the shaft up. Drive back to install and ... the shaft is too long. At full compression, it's 17.25 inches cap to cap. They never shortened per my instruction when they welded the new CV on.

I call back and speak to the owner. He told me I'd have to drive it back over, drop it off and come back and pick it up (basically another 4 hours of driving time for me). No, I couldn't wait for it. He then says, "Hey, I f$#@ed up, dude, there's nothing I can do about it." He then says he's going to void the credit card charge and hangs up on me. Keep in mind, I never raised my voice, cursed or was rude.

I'm not looking for a free driveshaft (that I can't use). I just wanted the product I paid for and was looking for any sort of solution that didn't require multiple trips back to W. Phoenix. Granted, I suppose I should have taken a tape measure with me to measure before I paid, but I did not do that.

Anyone know a place in the East Valley or NE Phoenix that can shorten a driveline quickly? Any help appreciated.
d

[ademster]

that doesn't surprise me I ask for a quote to do the same thing.. but no shorting or lengthening.. and they said 600 bucks... I said yeah okay I can buy TWO COMPLETE DRIVE SHAFTS CUSTOM MADE FOR THAT COST... he said well thats what it would cost have a nice day and hung up....

pretty fing rude..

but from what I hear Dicks Driveline is a good company... I live right next to them and I work in Scottsdale.
They are at 34-36st. and mcdowell...

Adam

[T.C.'S TOY]

Perhaps persision has just gotten to big for there britches.....Thom (T.C.'S TOY):)

[azcharlie]

I've used Mesa Driveshaft two or three times with no problems. Twice for a bent driveshaft and once for a cv replacement. There located in the east valley. Good luck.

[xjstocker]

ive never used precision some on here have with great results. have used mesa driveshaft before with mixed results. mostly good. ive used dicks once was good service had a swap shaft built in stock walked in walked out no problems. id try dicks they were very reasonable from what i remember.

[SavageSun4x4]

I was looking to rebuild my OEM TJ front drive shaft with OEM quality parts. Everybody said call Precision, so I did, I was quoted $300 and not replace any parts just rebuild my old ones. If I wanted NEW parts, again OEM quality, then it was more money, he didn't say how much as he would have to add it up.

Again, I explained, it was OEM TJ front shaft, no longer, no shorter, no grease from the arm pits of virgins and the shaft was NOT currently broken or making noise. Just preventive maintenance with 4 + years and 60k miles on it.

"Like I said, $300 for used parts, more for new"


I took my business elsewhere...

[AZXJ]

We use Dick's when we are in a pinch and they always do a great Job!!!

[YJunk]

Its funny how this stuff goes in cycles; I had a terrible experience with Mesa, but both shafts I bought from Precision have been good and my experience with them was good. He built me a brand new front shat for $300 bones just a couple of weeks ago... About a year ago I had him build a brand new rear for me... $300. In both cases they were done within 24hrs.

Having said that, you go where they take care of you so if you never went back I sure wouldn't blame you.

For what its worth the Tom Woods Todd at DF put in the rear of the jeep when I had the new axle put in, is holding up really well despite the abuse I put it through and there turn around is pretty quick (considering the whole mail order thing)

[CjCarl]

Another vote for Dick's driveline. Good guy to work with, and pretty reasonable prices.

[YGOHOME]

dboz,

you get to keep the new driveshaft and they reversed the charges on your credit card? Can get it shortened? Or is it more complicated than it sounds? Sounds like a pretty smokin deal to me other than the hassle of driving around.

[ROKCRLR]

I'm a frequent flier at that place and I've never had any problems. Actually they were able to get my front DS balanced when Mesa DS couldn't.

[Digger]

Dick's Driveline, go for it!! Good people, good service, fair price, I have friend that has worked there for 22 years.

[dbozman]

To follow up on this: I never wanted a "free" driveshaft. I simply wanted to get what I'd paid for with a minimum of hassle. The guy said he was going to credit my card and then hung up. I haven't checked and don't much care. It was never about the money.

Today I took the shaft to Mesa Driveline, mostly because it was closest. They had me out the door in less than two hours and charged me $83. They also told me the new CV joint Precision had installed was never greased (they did it) and mounted the shield on the end of the splines (pinion end) that Precision said no longer was produced.

All in all, I'm happy now and I know where I'll be going for driveline work. (Happy, except it appears the SYE I installed is leaking around the rear yoke housing ... sigh)
d

[Antman]

To follow up on this: I never wanted a "free" driveshaft. I simply wanted to get what I'd paid for with a minimum of hassle. The guy said he was going to credit my card and then hung up. I haven't checked and don't much care. It was never about the money.

Today I took the shaft to Mesa Driveline, mostly because it was closest. They had me out the door in less than two hours and charged me $83. They also told me the new CV joint Precision had installed was never greased (they did it) and mounted the shield on the end of the splines (pinion end) that Precision said no longer was produced.

All in all, I'm happy now and I know where I'll be going for driveline work. (Happy, except it appears the SYE I installed is leaking around the rear yoke housing ... sigh)
d

I use Dick's new place in Showlow. Tom Wood's shafts are great! Just make
sure there's grease in the ball on your CV when you get it. I've seen 3 new
ones come in without grease in the CV.