WARNING!!! WARNING!!! WARNING!!!
I met with Daniel Maynard owner of Orvotto Offroad to do a complete suspension upgrade of my 2005 Jeep Rubicon however I quickly discovered that Daniel and his crew were the most clueless and technically incompetent mechanics I've ever met in 35 years of Jeeping.
I purchased a complete Teraflex suspension system, spring, upper and lower control arms, front torsion bar, along with all replacement hardware and all I needed him to do was to install new suspension parts; bump stops, and order a rear new teraflex track bar to match new suspension system, plus a full suspension alignment. My cost of the new teriflex system was $2500.
7/23/2020 Daniel quoted me a price just under $1000 to install all materials including full suspension alignment. We agreed on the price and he gave me a project start date of 7/29/2020. I clearly told Daniel to go ahead and order the parts. I offered a deposit, but he declined.
The reason he did not order the parts I requested was because he used an inferior Chinese track bar. Because he did not think I'd notice.
As agreed, On the 29th I delivered my jeep to ORVOTTO with all the new suspension parts in the back of the jeep. Once again I ask Daniel if he orders the parts I asked for...He nodded his head up and down, like an introvert, with 0 people skills, or just a con man.
Thursday 7/29. Daniel stated he would most likely have the project completed by the end of the next day. I did not hear from Daniel the next day as promised. Tried to call the shop on Saturday. ORVOTTO does not have a business phone like every other business in the world. He runs his shop with his personal cell. And the voice mail is full all the time. That's when red flags started going off...CRAIGLIST SCAMMER!!! Although not far from the truth.
Monday morning I tried to call again and his voicemail was still full so I drove over to the shop to see what the deal was. When I got to the shop I was happy to see my jeep on jacks because I imagined it stripped and in some back lot somewhere.
When I inspected my vehicle I noticed two things right off. First he had not replaced the front bump stops and he was using the old suspension hardware and not the new hardware provided by Teraflex.
I asked him why he did not install the hardware provided with the kit?
He said the bolts were the wrong size and did not fit. So I asked Daniel why did you not call Teraflex tech support and engineering. The 800 number is on the clear detailed instructions provided by teriflex. I told Daniel the only reason I came to him was because his website calmed he was a teraflex dealer.
The truth is Teriflex has never heard of ORVOTTO or Daniel. Issue 2, the bump stops. Daniel just said can't find bump stops anywhere. Even though he had over a week to order them. He told me I did not need new bump stops anyway. Daniel has no communication skills and cannot follow the simple instruction. Daniel gave a new completion date of 8/5/2020.
At this point I felt I needed to go home and pray for the best.
Wednesday 8/5/2020 Got a call from Daniel letting me know My jeep was complete. I drove to ORVOTTO just hoping these hacks, somehow pulled this off. I paid Daniel although he charged me almost a $100 more than the quoted. Because he said they replaced the rear sway bar bushings.
OK NOW WE ARE GITTING TO THE GOOD PART!!!!
So I jump in the jeep, turned right out of the parking lot. I drive about a 1/4 mile when I drifted into the left lane and almost hit a passing car. My wife was behind me and saw the drift. I pulled into a convent store to check things out. The whole front end was popping and making funny sounds.
Drove back to the shop and asked Daniel what he had done to my car.
Somehow they left every bolt on my new $700 Currie tie rod system completely loose without carter key plus it was marred and beet to hell. Now remember I paid for a complete suspension alignment. One of Daniel's techs jumped under my jeep. As he was tightening the bolts he said this happens all the time, that why Daniel checks my work. I guess Daniel was on the snap on truck. I guess telling snappy I'll double you next week, after I get a sucker to pay me.
List of discrepancy and DOT violations;
1.Teraflex hardware not used.
2.Teriflex bump stop kit front upper not installed ( aluminum disk)
3. Inferior Chinese rear track bar
4. Completely out of alignment, steering wheel 30 degrees off to the left.
5. Front and rear wiring harness left hanging and not secured to new lower control arm.
6. Back up lights don't work
Really nothing about this install is professional. But when I called Daniel to complain. All he could say is I seemed happy when I left the shop.
Daniel refused to make good on his mess. So I've lawyer up. read more