Im screwed, plz help!

[sean4385]

I just got my truck out of the shop today only to find the problems werent fixed, and now i have new problems. My steering has had stiff spots that made turning a pain in the ass, so i took it to the shop and they said i needed new PS rack. They also said i desperatly needed new ball joints or my wheels could fall off next time i went offroading. I also requested new front brakes pads cause they squealed loud as hell. In total i paid $1130 for the rack, front brakes, lower ball joints, and an alignment which they said was required after the new rack.
Well my wheel is still stiff and hard to turn (all the way around now instead of a few certain spots), my brakes still queal, my wheel still pulls to the right....And on top of that the steering would lock up and not go any further past a rotation or two (new problem- just started today after i got my truck back). It felt like something inside the actual wheel, or the base that comes out of the dash and connects to the wheel, was keeping it from turning the rest of the way. At one point i had to force it past that point in order to make a turn and not crash, and i heard this snapping sound. Shortly after that my airbag light came on, then i realized my horn wasnt working.
I dont know how this problem could have occured after getting a new rack put in....
So now i need to pay more money to get my power steering fixed the right way, and on top of that i need to pay to get whatever it was that snapped fixed (im guessing it was some electrical component that operated the functions in the steering wheel, like the airbags and horn). But i just spent all the money i had saved up on this crap, so now i im broke. Im not just gonna give up on it now and drive around with all this broken **** cause i already invested so much money into it (all my money). If i gave up now that would all just be a complete waste of money.

Has anyone had any problems like this before? Does anyone know exactly what it was that snapped? most importantly does anyone know how i could fix it myself?

I only have another hundred or two dollars left and im hopefully gonna use that to fix the rest off the power steering problem... so i really wanna be able to fix the "snapped thing" myself.

Oh yeah, and ever since the "snap," theres been this scrapping sound inside the steering wheel. As if whatever it was that broke is now hanging out and being dragged around as the wheel turns.

Any help would be greatly appreciated....

Thanks,
Sean

 

[sean4385]

Anybody? Please?
this stuff gets me so frustrated...nothing ever works out right for me when it comes to my truck. then it seems no one ever helps on the boards

 

[section525]

That snap was probably you clock spring. Mine did the same thing. My airbag light is blinking.. and my cruise control doesn't work. Apparently this is an easy fix. I just haven't got the part to replace it yet.

Search for 'clock spring' cause there is a lengthy thread about how to replace it.

Also, I would go back to the a-holes who supposedly fixed your truck and tell them to do it right. Obviously you didn't need a new rack and its probably just your pump. I'd raise hell and tell them to fix it right or you'll come down hard on them! Dead Link Removed

 

[sean4385]

Ok thanks for the info! much appreciated.

I did search for clock springs but could only find a definition of what they were, and they only description of how to replace one was: Remove this, then remove that, remove just about about everything, then replace it. I still wanna know why it snapped, because if the auto shop is somehow to blame, then i can make them fix it.

But about the auto shop...they did tell me that my rack was completely shot, he said he did notice some wear or some slight problem with the pump ( i forget his exact words), but the rack needed replacement more and they thought a new rack could possibly solve the problem. but then again how do i know if hes telling the truth. Is it ok to demand that they continue fixing it without paying additional money, since they didnt do it right the first time?? ive only been driving about a half a year so im not to familiar with how mechanics run their business.

 

[section525]

You paid them to fix your problem. They didn't fix it. I would go back there and raise some hell. I think he told you it was the rack because they are big money both part and labor. Explorer racks rarely go out on a stock vehicle. Definitely go back there though.

As far as the clock spring... it could very well have been cause by the rack install. Thats how mine went. I spun the wheel freely when the steering shaft was disconnected and it started making this clicking sound. Then it finally went.

I'm not 100% sure how they work yet.. but I think it is possible to have too much tension in them. So maybe something was installed wrong or something..

Good luck!

 

[2001ExpSport]

You need to go back to them ASAP to solve this issue. At that point tell them that these other things have occured after they repaired what was believed to be the problem. Basically you went in with a flat tire, had it repaired and left with a flat tire. You wouldn't pay for that now would you?

This is why I only goto Ford. My coworkers try to save a buck going to some repair shop, but always get screwed.

 

[MONMIX]

The clock spring is this.
It is a coiled, spring loaded wire that " follows " your sterring wheel as you turn it.
Think about a yo-yo. It winds one way then winds the other. Well the wire is only so long. If you try to make it longer than it really is, it breaks.
Likely what happend is when they had the rack out the steering wheel spun out of dead center. So when turned to what ever direction was shorter, it snaped.

Totally 100% undeniable their fault.

It is an easy replace, but it should be on their dime.

 

[sean4385]

ok, thanks a million for the tips guys

i guess i can definately have them pay for the clock spring.... but what about the steering wheel still being stiff. Can i have them do the rest of the work to fix that problem at their own exspense? even if i do need a new PS pump?

you guys have been a great help so far, sorry to keep dragging this thread on with more questions....

Sean

 

[Msupertek]

ASE Master Certified & Ford Master Certified Technician

Take it back and tell them to fix it!

Then let them know if they want to try in fix it by chunking parts, they better take off the ones that aren't fixing anything because you ain't paying for it. Let them know you would like a refund on the labor for any part your repair due to them not fixing it, so it may cover the labor for whatever else it needs to actually fix it. Agree to pay parts but no labor.

If this ever happened at my shop (nothing this bad has ever happend since I have been there) the technician would be required to repair the vehicle further at no cost for labor (in other words free) or he would be fired!!!

I have 7 guys who work for me, and they all know, that they either fix it right or they are gonna work on it again for free. Oh yeah they always have the option of quiting if they choose to. Good Luck.

 

[sean4385]

thanks supertek...thats just the info i was looking for,
im getting to the point where i cant even wait to get back there. Then after that ill never have to go there again.....
next time i need a repair ill come to your shop in Arlington

Thanks everyone,
Sean

 

[sean4385]

Well im still screwed

They said around "$150 for the new clock spring"...."you must have bad luck"....

They said it wasnt their fault it broke, the steering column and clock spring has nothing to with replacing a PS rack....

I guess this also means they dont intend to continue fixing the PS problem either..... unless i pay another ridiculously large amount of money

i think ill just have them fix everything, grab my keys, and run...
J/K....or maybe not

 

[Msupertek]

Thats bs, they have to disconnect the steering shaft from it in order to remove it then if they let the wheel spin POW! there goes the clock spring, tell them if they didn't disconnect the steering shaft then how did the replace the rack! If they say they didn't replace it then ask for a refund.

Tell them they need to fix it or you will sue, and get yourself a lawyer.

DO NOT PAY FOR A REPAIR FROM THEM. If you are gonna pay take it to your nearest FORD dealer and let them know whats going on. Ask them to repair the vehicle properly and note in the story what was damaged and touched by the repair shop who said they fixed it for you. THEN SUE THEM!

 

[GaSouthern1]

It is amazing that places like this stay in business. I am sure that if your problems persist a few phone calls from some people educated more than average about what a streering repair involves could get them working. Done play their games and dont let them win.

Get your parents involved as well, an adult figure would help.

 

[Positive Vibes]

I would be calling the shop every day and night. That is total BS. Also I would threaten to sue, I doubt if I would because its a pain also threaten to call the Better Buisness Bureau. Bottom line, THE SHOP IS SCREWING YOU!

 

[sean4385]

finally unscrewed!

I went back there this afternoon to try and convince them it was their fault and they needed to pay for it. After them continually denying it being their fault we got into a huge argument. It was quite a scece; all the mechanics stopped working and came to watch. The owner just wouldn't give up so i stormed out of the place. I was certain they were trying to rip me off and lie to me about it. Then to my supreise the owner came running out after me and insisted that he put the car up on the lift and show me. It turns out you cant really let the wheel spin out of dead center and reattach it that way because the end of the shaft has two flat sides, as well as a notch, so it can only be reattached the same way it came off. In order to reattach it the wrong way it would have to be a complete 180 degree turn off-center. Then i told him how my wheel would turn all the way to one side more then the other, and this caused the clock spring to snap. He said thats BS, the clock spring cant break from being turned too far, you can actually disconnect the shaft and spin it around a million times. He aslo said the wheel being off cetered is from the tie rods not the shaft. He even took my airbags off to show me the clock spring and describe how it works. He said they would find out how it broke, but he didnt see how it couldve been their fault.
He seemed like a real nice and honest guy, so i was pratically convinced and eventually left. We even shook hands and i apologized for accusing him of things.
Then when i got back to my dorm their was a message on my cell. He said he just figured out that it was possible for a component of the clock spring to break, and i was 100% right. I felt kinda bad, cause he seemed all sad and must've felt dumb. But whatever, thats what he gets for thinking he knew everything but really not. So things are now the way it should be and im not really getting screwed. Aside from giving me the new clock spring their gonna re-align my tie rods for free too, so the clock spring wont break again and the wheel will be centered. They also gave me a new valve for free that they said was missing from my original rack, and were supposed to transfer to my new one.
However that didnt solve the stiffness problem either and i think im gonna have to pay for a new pump, but thats another story.

Thanks for all the support guys
Sean

 

[Positive Vibes]

Nice to hear its getting worked out and no one is gettin the short end of the stick. Hopefully the PS pump will fix the rest of your problems.

 

[Billy177]

befor a new pump try that power steering fluid from lucas belive it or not it is real good stuff

 

[MONMIX]

That is cool it panned out for you.
I was getting angery reading your post till I got to the good part.