Brake,rotor,paint ... Help!

[Sierra]

Hi!

I need advice... I own several vehicles and please excuse if this area is for a particular model. My problem lies with a 94 Dodge Dakota, excellant condition, V8, anti-lock brakes.

This vehicle was taken to a dealership for repair after it was struck in the drivers side wheel and fender. The dealership attempted to replace the tire that was damaged with the spare. They pounded and pounded on this spare only to discover that it would not fit. I went to the tire dealer who does all my tire replacements and they readily admitted that someone had installed my new spare onto someone else's rim. This was corrected and apology was accepted.

The dealership replaced the caliper, pins and rotor. This was done in April 2002. On my way back from a meeting out of town I noticed a loud grinding sound and pulled off th tollway. I was told from a shop that my brake was gone and that the caliper was hung up, not sliding properly and that the rotor was damaged on the drivers side. The rotor had deep lines in it. I was not sure what I was looking at but took this mechanics word that this was the problem.

I then had my vehicle towed from the tollway to the dealership since they were the ones that replaced the caliper, pins, rotor, etc... They looked at it and said that it was damaged. they kept it and then informed me that the caliper was fine, that there was no pad left on the lifetime brake and that the damage was caused by something. When I asked what caused the damaged they replied " We can not determine what the cause was." I take care with my vehicles. I do not drive over curbs, potholes, fast driving, off road or the like. They also informed me that I now have worn tie rods upper and lower and a worn idler arm and some other things. I am confused with all of this as they also aligned my vehicle and it has been only 2 months since then. One would think that when they did the alignment that these things would have been detected. They state that these things worn down since the alignment, that they were good at the time of alignment. I am hoping that you may provide me with reason. It is sad to know that because I am female this shop had mislead me as I had a male friend of mine go with me and had them explain it to him. They told him if he could have another shop give him a determination on this that he would have solid ground to argue the point with the parts man. I have a statement from the mechanic that looked at it when I left the tollway due to the loud grinding sound.

They are presently reviewing my situation with the brakes while they are still trying to get the swirl marks out of my paint. Yes... they painted my vehicle when i took it to them originally in April. I had them paint the entire vehicle so that the color was consistent... I am sorry I did this.. it is a mess. There is now something called orange peel, some drip spots...one is actually big, little hole like things in the paint and swirls all over the vehicle that are very visible in the sun. They have tried 4 times to get these out and keep trying by using compound and buffing. The last time I went there they said it was done and the swirls were still there... I just want to scream...Sorry this was a long letter.

My question: What would cause wearing and destruction to the brake and rotor? What is causing the swirls in the paint?


Sierra