Dealer mess up

L

Libbles1233

New member
I dropped my swingarm off at the ducati shop to get the bearing pressed out in prep for powder coating. They called today to say that there had been a problem and the aluminum "let go" before the bearing did. He offered to have a welder repair it as the structural integrity wasnt damaged.

What do you guys think? Its a pretty important piece.... Should i push for a replacement? Its wasnt a new piece and had a small scratch. Hence, the powdercoating.
 
So let me ask you this. You go into the dealership and ask to test ride a new bike. On the way out the parking lot you grab a handful of brake and let it slide on its side. Is the dealer going to be ok with you putting some touch-up paint on it or will they want to go for new? After all you accepted the test ride, much the same they accepted to work on your swingarm. Liability is on them in my opinion and you are due a new, or suitable unharmed (other than scratched) swingarm.
 
Be aware that once someone welds on it, any heat treat it ever had is gone forever. I fail to see how distortion from the "aluminum letting go" didn't destroy the structural integrity. Or alignment, for that matter.

They screwed up, plain and simple. That bearing would have just about fallen out if they had popped it in an oven and warmed it up.
 
Well, i stopped by to check out the damage and its the underside of the right pivot hole. Its about half the width of the edge and theyre not wanting to replace. He says repair will look brand new and not affect structural integrity.

Im no welder, but i know what extreme heat does to metal...

I also spoke with them about getting a new rear spring (2008 1098) so, im trying to get them to compensate with that. And , hey, i guess if it fails, i'll be a banged up owner of a ducati shop.
 
Of course they don't want to replace it. That's money out of their pocket. But what the reality of the situation is, is that they fucked up your swingarm and now they need to replace it. Exactly what everyone has been saying, "you break it you buy it."
 
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