Bill Vanek wrote:
> On Sun, 28 May 2017 01:42:32 -0400, "Steve W." >
> wrote:
>
>> Bill Vanek wrote:
>>> On Thu, 25 May 2017 08:22:03 -0400, "Steve W." >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Bill Vanek wrote:
>>>>> I bought a new car, took it to the dealer with less than 100 miles on
>>>>> it, and got the car back with the steering wheel off center. Someone
>>>>> hit something. They let me look under the car, and at the initial
>>>>> alignment readings. Thrust angle is zero, and I didn't see any visible
>>>>> damage. But both front wheels were pointed right with the wheel
>>>>> centered, and the total toe was close to specs. I am assuming that the
>>>>> rack is damaged, but I cannot remember any conclusive test for it. I
>>>>> didn't see the toe on turns reading, and I'm not sure if that reading
>>>>> will answer my question. I also assume that the turning radius will be
>>>>> different between right and left turns, but I don't have a good way to
>>>>> measure that either. Any suggestions on proving that the cause is the
>>>>> steering rack? As a note, the steering wheel was not that far off. The
>>>>> toe on each side was about 2 degrees off - one in and one out.
>>>>>
>>>>> Finally, would you worry about this, or just shrug it off if the
>>>>> dealer refuses to replace the rack? They are replacing the wheel, and
>>>>> they did the alignment, but I cannot prove that it happened there.
>>>> What was it going in for originally?
>>>> It takes some serious force to damage a rack. I would expect telltale
>>>> marks at the mounts if it shifted as well as physical damage that should
>>>> be readily visible. Rim/tire damage as well as steering knuckle damage
>>>> on one side. Possibly lower A-arm damage as well. Being a dealer they
>>>> may have simply removed the damaged parts, replaced them and did the
>>>> alignment with the wheel slightly off. Hard to say.
>>>>
>>>> The problem then becomes proving it. For that you would need to prove
>>>> that the various fasteners were removed/replaced, that the parts were
>>>> different and that it didn't enter the shop that way. Or get them to
>>>> admit to causing it.
>>>>
>>>> What to do is a big item. Possibly go over the dealer to the companies
>>>> customer satisfaction people. They may tell the dealer to replace the
>>>> rack as well.
>>> The only physical damage I saw was the wheel, and even it isn't all
>>> that bad - just a couple of scrapes, and it's not bent. The camber and
>>> caster were still right on the money. They have cameras there, and I
>>> watched the footage with the service manager. Whatever happened was
>>> not on camera, so it is still my word against theirs, but it's also
>>> obvious they didn't do any sort of damage repair to the car. All it
>>> was in for was a window regulator, so no one had any reason to drive
>>> it. I'm assuming the trim tech took it to get lunch, smacked a curb or
>>> something, looked the car over and didn't see any damage, so he
>>> shrugged it off. I didn't see any damage either at first. There is
>>> scraping at the very bottom of the fascia, but nowhere else. I think
>>> he slid - understeered - into something, the front of the wheel hit
>>> and pushed both front wheels to the right. The only damage on the
>>> wheel is two scrapes 180 degrees apart, and only on the outside of the
>>> wheel. Nothing on the inside, and nothing obvious on the tire. It's
>>> really pretty strange. To be honest, I think he might have twisted the
>>> stub shaft on the rack. I can't think of anything else.
>> What make, year model? I'll see if there's anything that might flex or
>> give if it slid and he held the wheel. I know some of the small Fords
>> had an intermediate shaft joint that would twist if they were hit.
>
> Yep, it could be anywhere between the steering wheel and the front
> wheels. I wish there were a way to make a conclusive check on that
> sort of thing, but it's also good to be reminded that it's not
> necessarily the rack. I don't think I'll lose any sleep over a
> slightly twisted shaft anywhere in the system. I'll send the car info
> in an email - there are reasons I prefer to keep private info off of
> usenet. Troubles on another group...

Yeah, without tearing the entire thing apart and having the specs for
each part it could be a long process...

Got the mail and replied. Feel free to use that any time.


--
Steve W.