Experience with les Schwab

Justin Whitlock

Justin Whitlock

Steelhead
Do any of you guys on here who travel a lot deal with les Schwab? I had a weekend trip from hell and it happened to be the one time I drag the old lady along. So quick back story upon driving a older flatbed truck (looked to be a older 5500) lost what looked like load shackles of some sort of the side and I ran one or two over. It completely demolished my front tire. I pulled off the freeway and realized there was a les Schwab right there. I pulled up not realizing it was a Sunday and loan behold (there may be a god) there was a gentleman working on a older log truck around back in the semi section. Fast forward a few and the dude used the little computer and I told him these tires were from Schwab and he said they were warrantied. They didn’t have the exact tire but He had one that was similar to mine Toyo HTs were on the truck originally and he gave me a AT to get me back on with my journey. Keep in mind this is happened during non business hours so I was incredibly grateful he took the time to try and help. Well he puts this tire on and my girl and I get driving again, about 20 min in I realize the truck is bouncing really really bad to the point you could almost bounce out of your seat lol since the truck was bouncing so bad it destroyed my seal and blasted grease ALL over my undercarriage. Fast forward I called les Schwab and they claim they have “no record” and cannot help me in any way. Kinda SOL huh? Figured I’d see if anyone else had any input or if I am stuck with the rest of the repairs along with new tires 😂 I was probably better off to whip the donut.
 
Is it possible that damage happened when you ran over the shackle and you didn't notice until you got back up to speed? Seems like just putting a new tire on wouldn't be something that would cause something so drastic.
 
Evan B said:
Is it possible that damage happened when you ran over the shackle and you didn't notice until you got back up to speed? Seems like just putting a new tire on wouldn't be something that would cause something so drastic.
Click to expand...
That’s what I was thinking. My sister shop that we work with has it right now, looking at it and claims that’s where the issue came from. But the ol faithful F150 never gave me issues before 🥲🤣
 
If the tire was a different size from the other three, you may well feel that. For example, one 135/70-17 and three 275/80‑17's would be noticeable; that one tire while still a 17 incher is much different. Good luck.
 
You guys are probably 100% correct. I didn’t really have time to inspect all the damage. I just had it towed to our shop and got the diagnosis. For all I know when I hit it that thing could have bounced around and taken everything else out with it. But it’s at least the same size tire just ones a AT. now that I think about it where the puncture wound was (inside wall) could have absolutely flung up which I didn’t think about.
 
Agree with others. Sounds like road hazard/road debris damage. Especially since the tire was damaged on the backside.
Are you saying the hub seals are destroyed or something else?
Schwab has always been a good relationship for me.
 
FishyJere said:
I have found Schwab to be exemplary for years. Perhaps, not perfect but mostly so.
Click to expand...
Generally Agree. They're human, and make mistakes, and I've been on that receiving end. But, I generally am satisfied with their service.
 
I don't know if it is the same everywhere but the Les Schwab in my town bends over backwards to provide the best customer service they can and being completely honest I have never seen anyone there walking at a normal pace. When you pull into the lot within seconds someone is jogging out with a smile to ask how they can be of assistance. Don't know if it a small town phenomenon but they really set themselves apart and must be commended.
 
I believe they are required to do the dog trot greeting. At least that's my understanding from having several coworkers who used to work for them.
 
Overall I've had excellent service at Les Schwab's. Once had a complete tire-shredding blowout on a brand new set of premium Michelin's outside Big Arm Montana and the local Les Schwab manager came in to replace the faulty tire on a Sunday, despite the fact that the tires didn't come from a Les Schwab dealership, nor did we live in Montana.

Once had a local Les Schwab dealer do a CV joint/boot replacement and brake pad replacement before heading out on a cross county summer vacation. Got a few miles down the road and returned to Les Schwab's because the vehicle was riding really weird.

A manager took a look and was absolutely mortified that they'd not reinstalled the rear shocks after the work had been done.

I guess what it really comes down to is the simple reality is that all humans (and their constructs), make mistakes....but the important part is how do they respond to and correct those mistakes?

Except neurosurgeons, oncologists, cardiologists and tax preparation accountants........I want them to be right the first time.
 
Last edited:
They sure are not what they used to be...quality of product has been suspect for me lately.
And, they do not warrant for free replacement for shoddy/manufacturer defective products.
The convenience of making payments may just not be as appealing as for a quality product....
I will be saving for my next set of 4; brakes will go back to factory rotors and pads too.
 
Sounds like a dude was working on his day off and still did his best to help you out. That tells me they hire good people and treat them right so that they want to do a good job. Thats big in todays work world.

I've only dealt with them on tire stuff and they have been great. For anything else I prefer the old car geek outside of town that might take an extra couple days but will not only give it to you straight on the current issue but call you out on any neglected upkeep.
 
I have only ever had outstanding service from Les Schwab and usually in the most unpleasant circumstances when tires fail while on the road. And usually at no cost. As a confirmed Michelin tire user, I have never bought tires from them, so I feel bad about taking advantage of their great service. I mentioned this to the LS service guy once after they repaired a tire and got me back on the road and he said they don’t care whether the folks they help ever buy tires from them, because they know the good will it generates will come back to them. I did buy a couple of used tires from them once when I blew out a couple of tires on a particularly bad road in Montana, just to get me home.
 
Not all Les Schwab stores are equal.
The store in Wenatchee screwed me over more than once.
New tires out of balance, over and over. Breaking beads on new tires
The last time it was a brake job they screwed me over and would not stand behind their work.
I will never darken their door again
 
My one and only Les Schwab experience is buying tires for daughters Jeep. They pointed out it would need front brakes soon, which I was aware of but have an independent mechanic who does that for me for years. They gave me an estimate, which I hadn’t requested, for $500+. When I said that’s a lot for just the front, they replied it included new calipers and rotors. The Jeep had 50K dry California miles, nothing wrong with the calipers and rotors can’t be measured without removing from vehicle, at worst they could be turned but even that wasn’t likely to be needed. Their reply was that all their brake jobs got new calipers and rotors, “it’s a safety issue…” 😏
That said, maybe that store is just an outlier. My FIL has used the one in North Bend for years and they seem to have treated him well.
In fairness, a similar situation arose this Monday at my Toyota dealer: When I purchased the Tundra in 2017 I bought a service contract which included oil changes, air filters, tire rotations and balance, alignments, and front and rear brakes and rotors; basically everything but gas for 5 years/75K miles. It was a good deal, I thought as just the oil changes and brakes would more than cover the cost of the contract. My contract expires next month so I took it in for oil change, air filter, check alignment, rotate tires and front and rear brakes and rotors, even though truck only has 38K miles. The dealer called me a bit later and said the technician recommended a brake fluid and power steering fluid flush. $394 😳
I said no thanks. My independent shop charged me $80 to flush brakes on another car and I’ll have them do it at some time way in the future. I live in a near desert climate and moisture in brake fluid is not a concern here as it is in moist conditions. I never would consider paying what the dealer wanted, or doing those at this low a mileage. Maybe if I lived next to a salt marsh.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top