Broken steering rack - breaking my 2.5 XM estate

[Dieselman]

3mm is a significant amount of toe to have. As this happened just after the work was done it could well be due to it.

[Kit]

I don't know whether its just a coincidence that I started having problems right after getting the tracking done as I wouldn't imagine he would have had anything to do with the steering.

Oh yes he would, toe in/out correction is done by adjusting the length of the arms on the end of the steering rack.

He did use a welder to loosen up the bolts to adjust the tracking though?

I wonder how much stress he put on the rack before he applied the heat?

If you can stand the aggravation I suspect you may have a claim against ATS. If there was an existing fault they should have noticed it, 3mm is lot of toe out and should have been investigated properly, not just adjusted. There are several organisations who will inspect the car and give you a report, but possibly using the RAC would be best as they could negotiate for you with ATS, however, it will cost about £150, or a bit less if you are a member.
What do other members of the forum think?

[Dean]

I think its a bit strange, ATS clearly did something funny if it was clunking after it was collected, also the specs for toe are 0-3mm so if it was 3mm from 0 it would be correct.
still dont thiunnk its the rack though
D

[xmexclusive]

Might be worth having a word with the manager of the nearest ATS to you.
Take the ATS Towyn paoerwork and the RAC report.
Explain the steering rack did not feel quite right and became unfit to drive when you had nearly got it home.
Ask if they want to bring it in to inspect it before you get the RAC to make a formal inspection for you.

John

[Ken Newbold]

Might be worth having a word with the manager of the nearest ATS to you.
Take the ATS Towyn paperwork and the RAC report.
Explain the steering rack did not feel quite right and became unfit to drive when you had nearly got it home.
Ask if they want to bring it in to inspect it before you get the RAC to make a formal inspection for you.

John

Sound advice!

[endorfin]

OK, my concern is if I contact ATS & they check it and then claim it wasn't anything to do with what they did I won't have much recourse. Maybe better to go down the independant inspection route but obviously I'd have to pay for this.

I've got the receipt/invoice from ATS but after he completed the work he got me to sign some paperwork which I assumed was just to confirm the work was carried out but it may have been something to say they wouldn't be held responsible for anything? I didn't get a copy of this.

[Dieselman]

I think they have unscrewed the inner balljoint when attempting to force the track rod to turn.

A typical steering rack. You can see the tracking rod screws in at the inner end.

[xmexclusive]

Bear in mind that you would not go back to the same depot so it is not their workmanship being questioned just the ATS company reputation. Probably worth speaking to the ATS local manager before you fork out for an inspection.
The RAC have already condemned it as unfit to drive for a major failure of a component that ATS have just repaired.
ATS had a duty of care not just for the work but also to inspect that the steering rack was fit to work on.
Now it has failed they should rectify FOC or give you a written explanation why the failure is independant of the ATS work.
You only signed and paid for the work carried out. ATS Towyn made the expert examination and determined the work needed.
You have lost the use of your car for over a week now. You need its use back.
Be pleasant and polite but clear that you need to know if ATS were at fault.

John

[XMX]

...................................................
Now it has failed they should rectify FOC or give you a written explanation why the failure is independent of the ATS work.
..............................................................................
Be pleasant and polite but clear that you need to know if ATS were at fault.
John

Nigel/John,

The general theme that one gets when taking a Citroen (Especially a Hydraulic one) to one of the national/chain type outlets, is that they are staffed by monkeys/chimps, as the saying go's 'If you pay peanut's ....................... '

Just take a read what Bob (Linegeist), off the BXC forum went thro' with an EXHAUST front-pipe replacement at one of these 'Drive in/drive out' type of outlets and then how he went about getting it RECTIFIED satisfactorily as it should have been done in the first place !

That's why It's best to go to a good Indy that knows what their doing or DIY (If you can of course), enjoy the read I found the conclusion to Bob's saga /\ very amusing (I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when all that went off)

Best of luck with ATS !



XMX

[endorfin]

Update on this:

I called ATS head office and spoke with customer services and explained what had happened. At first they said they would contact the area manager for ATS Rhyl and get him to write to me. I said that this was not good enough as I am a blue badge user and that the car was my disabled vehicle and I have given them until the end of tomorrow to get back to me. I've asked them to email me.

Will let you know what happens.