Damage during front bumper install - looking for input on what to do next

[cilles]

When 4WheelParts (good guys to work with but...) installed my Victory front bumper on my GX 550 they damaged one of my KDSS lines. Not leaking at this time but it will need to be replaced. While 'safe to drive' I can't (shouldn't) go off road, nor tow.

Lexus quote is nearly $5k to fix it (mostly labor)! Part >$1k plus removal and reinstall of the entire bumper.
4WheelParts parts says, despite them maybe causing it they won't pay the $5k and they also think Lexus is padding the cost for the fix, maybe including more parts than just the damaged hose. I'm not sure on that part. I shouldn't have to foot this bill.

4WheelParts says they will get the part (cheaper through their Toyota contact) and do the install. That they will NOT pay the nearly $5k for Lexus to do the work. That say they have been working with KDSS systems and their predecessor for quite some time. Yet...

I hear from others the following - is this true? I suspect it is but haven't yet googled about it):
The 5th gen KDSS system is not easily serviceable. Requires a one-off tool that does high pressure bleed-downs and recharges. I'd be shocked if 4WP has one and I wouldn't personally trust them. There's some people who think they can work on it by shutting off valves and winging it, but I wouldn't trust it.

I'm also told they should have insurance for such things to cover this. They didn't mention any insurance and made it sound like it would be coming out of their pocket.

I guess the big question is how do I gt 4WheelParts to pay without getting a lawyer involved. I hate confrontations. Or is there some option I am not thinking about?

 

[DaveK]

You won't. Get a lawyer.

 

[S SUBERI]

If you signed a release at the time of installation you may have agreed to binding arbitration. If that’s the case it has been decided on how you handle it. If not I would pay an attorney to write them a letter, holding them accountable and demanding they pay Lexus for the repairs

 

[DaveK]

If you signed a release at the time of installation you may have agreed to binding arbitration. If that’s the case it has been decided on how you handle it. If not I would pay an attorney to write them a letter, holding them accountable and demanding they pay Lexus for the repairs

Very good point.

 

[Bluegill]

Ouch. Of course 4Wheel Parts has insurance but of course they don't want to use it. As others have mentioned, you probably need to engage an attorney to write them a letter explaining why Lexus must do the repair (proprietary experience and tooling is a major factor, as is the fact that 4WP messed up in the first place). There's also the dark shadow of negative regular internet and social media feedback that works for you.

 

[nartmot]

Public Service Announcement: Taking a $90K vehicle to 4 Wheel Parts is like getting plastic surgery in Tijuana. I don't have the slightest clue why people do it, but they do.

 

[incognito.gx]

Sorry to hear that bro. Lawyer up

 

[YellowLab]

When 4WheelParts (good guys to work with but...) installed my Victory front bumper on my GX 550 they damaged one of my KDSS lines. Not leaking at this time but it will need to be replaced. While 'safe to drive' I can't (shouldn't) go off road, nor tow.

Lexus quote is nearly $5k to fix it (mostly labor)! Part >$1k plus removal and reinstall of the entire bumper.
4WheelParts parts says, despite them maybe causing it they won't pay the $5k and they also think Lexus is padding the cost for the fix, maybe including more parts than just the damaged hose. I'm not sure on that part. I shouldn't have to foot this bill.

4WheelParts says they will get the part (cheaper through their Toyota contact) and do the install. That they will NOT pay the nearly $5k for Lexus to do the work. That say they have been working with KDSS systems and their predecessor for quite some time. Yet...

I hear from others the following - is this true? I suspect it is but haven't yet googled about it):
The 5th gen KDSS system is not easily serviceable. Requires a one-off tool that does high pressure bleed-downs and recharges. I'd be shocked if 4WP has one and I wouldn't personally trust them. There's some people who think they can work on it by shutting off valves and winging it, but I wouldn't trust it.

I'm also told they should have insurance for such things to cover this. They didn't mention any insurance and made it sound like it would be coming out of their pocket.

I guess the big question is how do I gt 4WheelParts to pay without getting a lawyer involved. I hate confrontations. Or is there some option I am not thinking about?

Where in CA did this happen? Good news in that for all the mess CA is - the laws are all on your side. Get a lawyer - you DO NOT want someone winging this

 

[YellowLab]

Ouch. Of course 4Wheel Parts has insurance but of course they don't want to use it. As others have mentioned, you probably need to engage an attorney to write them a letter explaining why Lexus must do the repair (proprietary experience and tooling is a major factor, as is the fact that 4WP messed up in the first place). There's also the dark shadow of negative regular internet and social media feedback that works for you.

The darker side could start here and basically go to every other off road community like wildfire...

 

[nonamex]

Public Service Announcement: Taking a $90K vehicle to 4 Wheel Parts is like getting plastic surgery in Tijuana. I don't have the slightest clue why people do it, but they do.

First time hearing about this company. Are they not reputable for this type of work?

 

[YellowLab]

First time hearing about this company. Are they not reputable for this type of work?

well.......

 

[BoostedGX]

trade it in while you can , that kdss issue may haunt you later

 

[YellowLab]

trade it in while you can , that kdss issue may haunt you later

Even if the KDSS, transmission, engine, seats, wiring, windshield wipers, tires, springs and all moving parts fail - its STILL more reliable than a Jeep.

 

[nartmot]

First time hearing about this company. Are they not reputable for this type of work?

well.......

I wouldn't trust them to fill my wiper fluid. I have never made the mistake of using their service department but I did order a discounted ARB fridge and had to return it twice because they kept shipping me used/defective inventory. I am surprised their reputation isn't well known on this forum. However if you do a quick Google search you will find tons of horror stories. Here are a few that I found:

Need help badly
https://www.yelp.com/biz/4-wheel-parts-westminster-2#:~:text=understand that you…-,read more,think that you're dumb.
4 Wheel Parts - Redondo Beach, CA
So I made the horrible mistake of using 4 Wheel Parts to install my Bilstein lift.... - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans
4 Wheel Parts Suck!
4wheelsparts.com screwed me!!!

 

[cilles]

trade it in while you can , that kdss issue may haunt you later

why would you say that? makes no sense at all

 

[nartmot]

I assume he said it in jest, although as you yourself alluded to, EKDSS is a complex system that requires specialized tools and there are not a lot of dealships that have experience working on them.

I feel bad about your predicament, truly. I would personally chalk this up to a learning experience if I was you. Is $5k worth going to court with these assholes? That depends on how much you value your time. Then factor in legal fees and other expenses.

My approach would be to escalate the case as high up as I can go and hope for the best. 4WP is a national chain and as a whole they are total dog shit; the bad management is systemic. Go into it with the right expectations. If they still refuse, which is entirely likely, see if they can meet you in the middle by paying half of that 5k. They will agree to that just to make you go away.

No matter the outcome, make sure you tear them a new one in the online reviews and social media so you can save others from the same fate.

 

[BoostedGX]

why would you say that? makes no sense at all

Believe this , there is no techs that want to deal with the EKDSS , luckily the system doesn’t trigger lights, if you plan on keeping this truck for a while , might as well start fresh without a tainted GX550 and jump into a new one since the value is so high currently

 

[nartmot]

Believe this , there is no techs that want to deal with the EKDSS , luckily the system doesn’t trigger lights

You're not wrong, but I believe @cilles can mitigate that risk by spending some time researching local dealerships. Hopefully more time than he spent researching 4WP! Kidding, of course, but if I find out you got your EKDSS serviced at Pep Boys, I'm coming for you!

Trust me, if you can afford a $90k vehicle, you can afford to laugh about this in a couple years. You'll be okay.

 

[Bluegill]

Years and years ago I had 4Wheel Parts install an ARB air compressor in my old 2004 Land Rover Discovery. They actually did excellent work but I do remember that it was difficult scheduling the work and then coordinating drop-off and pickup with the knuckleheads behind the counter. 4WP is a good ol' boys group of guys that are adept at installing the same lift-out-of-a-box on the same jeeps all day every day. Kind of the Walmart of off-road service.

 

[BoostedGX]

Years and years ago I had 4Wheel Parts install an ARB air compressor in my old 2004 Land Rover Discovery. They actually did excellent work but I do remember that it was difficult scheduling the work and then coordinating drop-off and pickup with the knuckleheads behind the counter. 4WP is a good ol' boys group of guys that are adept at installing the same lift-out-of-a-box on the same jeeps all day every day. Kind of the Walmart of off-road service.

Here in SoCal , I only have 88 Rotors touch my suspension work, they are excellent but charge accordingly