On Tue, 30 May 2017 21:58:04 -0400, "Steve W." >
wrote:

>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.

Got your email, and I appreciate it. I will probably do what you would
do, get the wheel replaced (they already aligned it), and watch for
any future problems.