My name is Eugene Mulder, I recently had an utterly disappointing and alarming experience with Roelf and Jacks Service Station in George, Western Cape. What should have been a straightforward repair involving the re-fitting of new, supplied parts to the front hub and bearing system turned into a nightmare. Instead of receiving the competent service I expected, I was met with dangerous negligence that has cost me thousands in damages and could have easily resulted in a catastrophic accident.

The Issue:

In an attempt to replace the wheel bearings myself as a DIY project at home, I realised after stripping the left front wheel that the task required specialised equipment I did not have. I then decided to approach Roelf and Jacks in George for assistance and handed over all the loose parts I removed. Shortly thereafter, I received a call from the owner, Mr. Riegard Vermeulen, informing me that my front brake discs were needed to complete the job. I promptly purchased new discs and delivered them to him. The following day, they informed me that the front knuckles were ready for collection. After reassembling both the left and right knuckles as per the workshop manual, I took the vehicle for a test drive, only to discover a serious issue with the left front wheel.

While driving, the wheel suddenly locked up, a terrifying event that could have easily resulted in a major accident. Upon further investigation, I discovered that the root cause of the problem was the omission of a critical component—a spacer between the bearings in the front hub assembly. This missing spacer caused the bearings to overheat, seize, and ultimately led to the wheel locking up.

Unacceptable Response:

I immediately contacted Roelf and Jacks to report this grave issue. To my shock and dismay, Mr. Riegard Vermeulen refused to accept any responsibility for their mistake, despite the clear evidence. (Listen to the Youtube Audio Clip below) Mr. Riegard Vermeulen insisted that the missing spacer was my fault, claiming I had failed to supply it. This blatant lack of accountability is not only disappointing but also deeply troubling, given the severe safety risk they created. As experienced professionals, they should have noticed the missing spacer, they do bearings everyday and could have contacted me to rectify the situation, but they failed to do so.

The Consequences:

• Bearing Seizure: The absence of the spacer led to the bearings seizing, which in turn caused the dangerous wheel lock-up.
• Potential Further Damage: The stress from the seized bearings likely caused additional damage to other components, which could result in even more costly repairs.
• Increased Accident Risk: A locked wheel can cause a total loss of control of the vehicle. Fortunately, I managed to avoid an accident, but the situation could have ended much worse.

My Honest Review:

This experience has completely shattered any trust I had in Roelf and Jacks Service Station. Their refusal to take responsibility for their substandard work is beyond unacceptable. I strongly advise anyone considering their services to think twice. Safety should be the absolute priority in any repair service, but unfortunately, that seems to be severely lacking here.