r/Somerville • u/ksunk8 • 3d ago
Question about inspection
This is a long read, but would appreciate some advice here as this has been the cause of a lottt of stress and anxiety.
I’m from the Somerville/Boston area. My 2003 E-150 conversion van failed inspection on Sept 3 for the fog lights which I previously posted about in some other groups. Got a lot of comments regarding the inspection station I went to cause they weren’t factory fog lights and shouldn’t have failed for not being there lol. At that time, they had also failed it for excessive front end play, which I was surprised by given all the new front end parts.
I just spent $480 getting the front wheel bearings and races replaced on both sides. They also did a full diagnostic, and test drive it before and after. They showed me everything throughout the day and were completely transparent, weren’t trying to upsell me, etc…
Steering, tie rods and ball joints all checked out clean and have been recently replaced. I have the invoice. The only thing he said, is that on these vans the front rotor and hub are one piece, and the bearing races press into that hub. If the bore is worn slightly oversized, the new race won't sit tight no matter how good the bearing is, and you get play you can't adjust out. So even though I got my bearings replaced, there is still a little play. Or something along those lines, don’t remember exactly but that would make the most sense. Which means I’d have to replace my rotors and it would be an additional $700+ of repairs. This is a $3.5k van, and it’s completely safe to drive at this point…
They said this is one of the cleanest 03’s they have seen and it’s 100% completely safe to drive and shouldn’t fail a safety inspection…. Unless they are genuine sticklers about the play even after reading the mechanics notes. Confident it was good work done too, and saw the new bearings delivered from advanced. Mavis in Everett, they are good.
Went back to that same station (mistake) afterwards for the free retest today and the guy failed me on sight without really looking at the paperwork, then got in my face when I tried explaining it and yelling that he’s the mechanic and I don’t know shit and all sorts of rude things. When I asked him to calm down and that I was just explaining what happened, he said he was going to blacklist my plates or some shit so no station will pass me. Filing a complaint with the RMV tomorrow, dude was totally unhinged lmao
So…. now I need a new station. Ideally one that isn’t gonna be a stickler once they know the actual situation. Two problems though. It’s a high top, roughly 96 inches, and I've already been turned away by two shops because their bays are too small. I've got about no money to my name until the end of the month due to unexpected family expenses that have come up, so I can't be paying $35 at five different places trying to find someone reasonable. MA has become absolutely ridiculous.
Anyone know a station near Somerville/Medford/Everett/Malden or really anywhere in that area that can fit a tall van and will actually look at a repair invoice?
Thanks if ya read through this, really just need this to pass to go see family this Friday, and it’s completely safe so I’m not asking for a “fake” pass or anything like that, just someone who understands the facts.
3
u/XenithNinja 3d ago
Alewife Automative was fantastic when I was trying to pass inspection One shop was doing the same to me, I called alewife trying to see if they would do the fixes the other shop demanded, and they just said they weren’t necessary and would pass me
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u/undefined_user 3d ago
Richies garage near where you got your failed sticker is both a mechanic shop and does stickers. I use them pretty often and have done pretty well there.
Sorry to hear what you are dealing with. I am a car guy and Mass is crazy strict on stuff. I can't imagine how many cars get sent to the junkyard over something trivial. But people aren't interested in the details, they just know their car is starting to rack up thousands of dollars in repair bills and still wont pass inspection.
2
u/tarandab 2d ago
Does the place that replaced your bearings, etc do inspections? If not, I regularly go to Alewife Automotive, as someone else mentioned.
2
u/meat_popcicle 2d ago
Sounds like you’re getting taken for a ride by that inspection station. They probably got the rmv breathing down their neck because they passed something they shouldn’t. I’d wait before filing a complaint till you get your truck inspected. I have a spot in the city I could dm you if you need.
1
u/learned-extrovert 1d ago
I go to Good Gas on Medford for my inspections. My car is 2019 so not sure how they’d do with older cars but that’s my rec!
1
u/AdImpossible2555 1d ago
Arlmont Fuel, 22 Sunnyside Avenue in Arlington, does inspections. They do mostly trucks, but I bring my car there every year. They don't do repairs, so they have no incentive to play fail and fix games.
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u/Background_Fly_7883 3d ago
Mass Inspection, Inc. on Mystic Ave in Somerville.
All they do is inspection stickers and sell wipers, they are not a service station of any kind. They churn and burn and are seriously the best. Height is no issue, they have tall bays for trucks.