A bad day

[PeterC4]

Well, I learned that the creaking noise in the rear of my car required the replacement of both control arms. I lost the debate as to whether it should be covered on my extended warranty and to add to that, they found a nail in my new rear tire. The control arms on my 2000 C4 with 70,000 kms have now all been replaced due to wear. The fronts under warranty last fall, just after I bought it.

I go to pick up the car today and they can't find my key.....anywhere. While I'm standing there with my dealer, I notice the license plate in the front is a little crooked. I notice the car is a little dirty around the wheel wells too. I go home, get my spare bring the car home.

I discover someone bumped the front, pierced the bumper, bent the housing clip that holds the license and the car has been splattered with what looks to be cement. I was none too pleased. Took it back, pointed it out, was asked to come back Monday. Not wanting to let the cement cure further, I took it home and 7 hours later got it clean. The car was driven when the street around the dealer was being washed. The cement dust from the new sidewalk, combined with the water made....cement... that got on the car. For those of you who get this on your car, act fast. Use warm soapy water, some very good wax/polish - I used Meguiars ScratchX - and get scrubbing. It's the toughest thing I've ever had to get off.

[pmarangoni]

I discover someone bumped the front, pierced the bumper, bent the housing clip that holds the license and the car has been splattered with what looks to be cement. I was none too pleased.

Which dealer was this at? Did they confess to the bumper damage? Did it get repaired?

[Ubermensch]

Well, I learned that the creaking noise in the rear of my car required the replacement of both control arms. I lost the debate as to whether it should be covered on my extended warranty and to add to that, they found a nail in my new rear tire. The control arms on my 2000 C4 with 70,000 kms have now all been replaced due to wear. The fronts under warranty last fall, just after I bought it.

I go to pick up the car today and they can't find my key.....anywhere. While I'm standing there with my dealer, I notice the license plate in the front is a little crooked. I notice the car is a little dirty around the wheel wells too. I go home, get my spare bring the car home.

I discover someone bumped the front, pierced the bumper, bent the housing clip that holds the license and the car has been splattered with what looks to be cement. I was none too pleased. Took it back, pointed it out, was asked to come back Monday. Not wanting to let the cement cure further, I took it home and 7 hours later got it clean. The car was driven when the street around the dealer was being washed. The cement dust from the new sidewalk, combined with the water made....cement... that got on the car. For those of you who get this on your car, act fast. Use warm soapy water, some very good wax/polish - I used Meguiars ScratchX - and get scrubbing. It's the toughest thing I've ever had to get off.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I don't want to digress too much but do you mind sharing what part was defective on the control arm? I'm having similar issues on an identical car (model and miles). Was it the bushing or the boot that went bad?

[PeterC4]

I'm not exactly sure what part was defective, but I believe it was the rubber bushings that had worn. In any event, they replaced the whole arm. Its quiet now and a little smoother.