Swift - Scratched Brake Disk, Help...!

[yzfrj]

Guys Need help/advice

2008 July Swift VDi
15000+ Kms

Problem : Scratch on front right brake disk.

This was noticed after the 3rd service @10k Kms, I'd say we noticed it around 11.5k. Car is being serviced @ Popular (Elamakkara, Cochin)

This is my dad's car.

He has taken up with the service center people.
Explanation was funny IMO.

They said - It might be due to a piece of metal wedged between the brake pad and the disk.

My dad is a very good driver and always takes care of the car.
Particularly he hates any sort of "unwanted" noises, takes care of the right away. So metal wedged would IMO should make a lot of noise (similar to worn out pads).

Anyway it was told by the service center people that it will be resolved in the next service. 15K kms service is over now. They said they need to write to Maruti to get a "solution".

According to them its 900/- for the disk.

Apart from the scratch mark there is no noise or any other "problem" with braking. Its awesome as ever.

My worry is what is the root cause of the problem ?
I'm not happy with the service center guys explanation.
Its a steel disk and I seriously doubt a metal piece can do this.

They (Maruti) might even replace the disk.
2 weeks time was requested. so they have a few more days left.

I've never seen this so guys need your expert comments/ suggestions.
Pics are of low quality it was taken by the service guys and was sent to Maruti.

[sgiitk]

Every brake disc gets scored with use. The mark you have pictured appears to be quite normal and I will not worry.

[yzfrj]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

Every brake disc gets scored with use.

Agreed. My Zen which is 91k Kms does have scratches. However it does't have a single scratch (which is say more than 1mm deep).

This is a relatively "new" car and the depth of the scratch is a bit more than 2mm, that too happened sometime between 10k service and 11.5k (when we spotted it).

Is't it too early and the car has clocked too little kms for this ?

[sgiitk]

The depth does not appear to me 2mm in the pictures, the width does. But then pictures can be deceptive. Most likely you had some hard grit between the pads and the platter which did the damage.

If you can get them to replace it foc then it is fine. However, It will be very difficult to establish that it was a manufacturing defect. I also cannot imagine as to how and why can the A.S.S. do it!

However, at the time of disc pad change, you may have to replace the disc platter. I do not think cutting off 2mm from a face is permissible, esp. with ventilated discs.

[vikram_d]

There is nothing to be worried about. I would advise you to leave the disc as it is and continue using it. Just get the brake pads replaced if needed.

[yzfrj]

@ sgiitk - Yes I think you are right 2mm depth seems a bit much for me too.
I'm wondering if this happened due to improper assembly of the brake pad thingy after the 10k service.

@vikram_d - not sure if pads were replaced already. will check on that.

[SirAlec]

IMO the pad that came with your car was faulty, or had some manufacturing defects. Its not a steel disc.

Its not a problem, if you don't feel any wobble at high speed. just keep it with new set of pads.

[yzfrj]

Update :

Dad got a call from Popular Service that a guy from Maruti would like to meet him and discuss the issue. My dad said he can meet the guy and offered he will come to the service center.

Popular guys told, this Maruti guy - Territory Service Manager(TSM) will come and meet the customer, so dad fixed up time 17:30 location : Home.

Mr. Balaji (TSM) came right on time.

Looked around the car, then came in.
Asked about the service, the issue at hand and said the same thing service guys said and assured this will not be a problem. Dad was not convinced and said he'd rather have it replaced.

Mr. Balaji said no problem and put a comment requesting Popular to replace the part as soon as possible based on part availability.

He apologized on Maruti's behalf and gave a glass bowel set as a "gift" on Maruti Suzuki's behalf.

Well what more can I say.
These guys really do care about the customer.

Popular service and Maruti Suzuki please take a deep bow.
My car is a Maruti and next car would be a Maruti. Amen.

[motionfreak]

GR8 gresture by Maruti !!

SKODA are u listening???

[srikant]

Thats a real quick response. Did you have to mail any complaint to get this noticed?

[nitrous]

Skim the disk if you want to remove the scoring.
If rotor thickness is lesser than minimum, then replace it, worst case.
Maruti sending customer service rep. home and giving glass bowls for such a simple problem is just OTT, IMO. (No offence meant, Riju)

[pranavt]

Originally Posted by yzfrj

He apologized on Maruti's behalf and gave a glass bowel set as a "gift" on Maruti Suzuki's behalf.

Bowel set eh?

[Roy.S]

Originally Posted by pranavt

Bowel set eh?

The mind boggles!! MUL customer service is giving out unusual stuff these days!

[im_srini]

Originally Posted by yzfrj

Popular guys told, this Maruti guy - Territory Service Manager(TSM) will come and meet the customer, so dad fixed up time 17:30 location : Home.
Mr. Balaji (TSM) came right on time.

I think the said gentleman also visited my home a few weeks ago (again, he was very punctual). In my case, it wasn't any complaint I'd raised, he came to collect feedback on my last service & my current service-center (ABT, Saligram). He was also very interested to know if I'd been facing any rattling issues in my cars & mentioned that Maruti has asked its people to check up on rattling issues faced by customers (apparently they'd seen a lot of it on the net) !

Originally Posted by yzfrj

Well what more can I say. These guys really do care about the customer.
Popular service and Maruti Suzuki please take a deep bow. My car is a Maruti and next car would be a Maruti. Amen.

Have to agree with you there. For the largest car manufacturer in our country, Maruti need not care so much, but I'm mighty glad they do

[sgiitk]

Excellent work MS. Even more important it is from a mass manufacturer and not a high cost limited scope vendor (read Skoda here). Obviously one such experience will get MS at least 5 new customers.