I went to PBC Automotive last Wednesday to ask if they had a 2 inch hole saw and could cut an insert for "top hats" or in other words extended strut mounts. The owner said of course. He quoted $471 to install top hats, a speed sensor and replace an o ring in the cars distributor.
I drop the car off at 9am on Friday, they call me at 11am because they don't know how to use the original rubber bushings with the new top hats. I call the manufacturer of the top hats and tell them to call the mechanic. The manufacturer calls them.
I check on the car at 6pm, the owner says they installed the speed sensor and o ring, tells me he is going to change me two extra hours and I can pick the car up the next day. I get to the shop 12pm on Saturday, no speed sensor was installed, my strut was bent but they reinstalled it anyway. The mechanic tells me I am going to need to replace it soon. I complained but paid them $571 to get my car out of their shop. Keep in mind, the original price of just installing the top hats $295. I go outside and look at my car, my hood is crooked because the mechanic didn't check the clearance of the strut tower. The mechanic has an attitude and says he thought the car’s hood sat that way because it is a 1991.


I ask him to shave a few cm off the strut tower to get the hood to fit, he shaves the whole top of the strut off. I tell him that I didn't ask him to do that and his reply was “I know I did that because you are irritating me, I told you I could of cut the hood.". This guy never said a thing about cutting the hood. Now my hood is damaged, and both of my struts are damaged.
The speed sensor I need to pass inspection was never installed. Their customer service was horrible, no one called me to state they needed another strut to install or a heater hose to install the speed sensor. My overall experience with PBC Automotive was horrible. Beware of taking your car here, they do not respect other people’s things or take pride in their work.

I had tires installed on my car yesterday and had a great experience. They were quick to install my tires and even made some recommendations for other needed service on my car. I will make an appointment and come back later to handle my needed brake pads.



Many Thanks,

N. Matsumoto