How to handle a shop dispute fairly-

Went with a local 4x4 shop in boulder CO vs Toytec in Denver because availability of scheduling and to spead some of that tundra cash around. I'm generally a fan of Toytec though.

Here is the run down-
Clunking, popping noise going into turns, almost like the truck was sensing I was about to get on the wheel and turn. Kept getting worse. I the last few months I had replaced shocks for Bilstien 6112/5160, 1 coachbuilder shim, Ironman control arms, durobumps, TRD sway bar up front and add a leafs in the rear to OME heavy pack. I also swapped a fiberglass shell with super pacific topper and expedition 1 dual swing. All good. Then the popping starts a few months later.
At first I thought sway bar end links but those had be replaced a few years earlier/ 30kish ago. they look ok.
Then I thought power steering rack bushings- OE OG at 200k...
Took to 4x4 shop for inspection.
Quote came back at - Power steering rack for 2900., sway bar end links for 800. and new rear springs fpr 2700. alignment for 275. Upper control arms at 2500. I call BS on UCA, they were new and had less than 5k on them.
I said lets do the power steeering rack as it seemed most logical give what I could find online that it was the bushings and at 200k and lifted it was probaly not long for the world. Shop says that it will take 2 days, I give them 5. Go to pick up, I know within 30 seconds its not fixed. I had just flow from out of town on vacation, it was over 100 and I was exhausted. I was pissed to say the least. Go back to shop, get tech and we drive for a few minutes and he has me drive out back near railroad tracks to get some flex etc. He is telling me to drive forward as he is out of view near front wheel, Im worried about running him over. I keep moving forward and I proceed to cave in rear door (side he is on) on a gas pipe sticking out at a 45 that I couldnt see. I get out and tell him were done. Ill be back in a day after I cool off. I was all I could do not to lose my poop.
I come back and tell shop manager Im not happy with what has been done and while i take responsibility for driving, Im pissed that tech wasnt paying attention to pipe that was feet away from him. Manager shows me a video of rack having "play" in it and that it needed to be done. I couldnt tell honestly. He the shows sway bar link with obvious "play". I tell him i can replace that myself and that he had a unhappy customer walking out the door.

I crawled under truck and in 30 sec had the end links snugged up. It helped, but I was still hearing noise. They were aftermaket and looked kinda beat I ordered new sway bar end links from Sparks. I have them in hand but ran out of time before I took truck to Toytec for inspection and thier opinion. While they were there under truck I paid them to thow in links.
All good for a few days, more noise again. Now its real bad, and road trip coming up.

I think u-joints, I take it to lube shop and check for play and lube zero. They think noise it lower arm bushings..... Im thinking its a axle. Buy axle and all parts needed for roadside repair on road trip. All good- not needed. Get back and take to Toytech to get another inspection. I am also think a front diff gear eating itself so I bring fluid and say drain and fill front and check for metal. none- thats a relief.

What Toytec came back with was when aligment was done for sterring rack, cam bolts were not tighted to spec and had came loose. That was the noise, popping and snapping hidden under the noise from sway bar end links (they were due and need to be replaced)

Last month I wrote to shop about why wouldnt you just charge me to tighten bar links vs "replace" when that was all that was needed and that they marked up the rack 100%. My fault for not doing homework. Told too bad and piss off.
Today Ive written that I want all the labor (2k worth refunded) because this all stemmed from truck not being put back together right after aligment, and now it rubs on mud flap errrr.
Im a chump- 3k to get door fixed, 3k for rack, 650 for toyota bar links, 500 to Toytec for the visits. All for end links and trusting a 4x4 shop.
Whats fair? Should I ask for more? Im going to let them reply. If I here nothing I will put a hold on charge and dispute it all.

 

My experience is they are gonna shut up and ignore you. My recommend is put a hold on payment and make them come back to you.
But make sure you document it better in writing than you have here. Point by point.
I have no idea how the law works so no advice on that. I'd be willing to wager they won't want a court situation. Costly for both.

My comment for future is it's amazing how complicated these front ends are in modifications, and the work needed is very complicated.
Honestly, not having a paper manual on implicit directions on how any of this maintenance is done in front of a person when they are
doing it is irresponsible. At the end of each sequence every bolt goes on a specific torque that process alone should ensure whoever tightened those loose bolts got it right and this story never happens.
Best of luck.

 

The shop offered a fair refund. I would have like more but at the end of the day it’s time to move on. The parent shop /owner offered up an explanation and apology. They are going to use it as a teaching moment.
Just bummed because I was hoping for a closer shop for these big repairs that I don’t have time or skill to handle myself.

 

I'd call that a win.

 

I am very impressed with this. Firstly because you handled this in the manner of being an adult and not out to just flame a company
for an omission on their part. Secondly I'm impressed by the company and it's ability to look back and not only own the mistake but
to use it to make them a better company. If it's a smaller shop and smaller employee base I would personally give them a second
chance. Its' hard in this economy to make it as a small business. They need you, and others to trust them. I'd say they look at
you as an intelligent and well educated customer and next time I'd bet you get stellar work. Start small, see how it comes out.
If they are up to standards your worries are over. I'd be glass half full on this and leave it at that.

 

If you're in Boulder, take it to Charley's Garage. If you went to John's 4x4, that place is a ripoff. Charley's is the best Toyota shop in town.