Question about Front End Damage

[astanford]

So I recently replaced my Tie Rods, Ball Joints, Wheel Bearings and shocks on my 2000 ford explorer sport, Which means it now needed an alignment, So I took it to the alignment shop today (Local Dodge/Chrysler Dealership) and they charged me about $300 (Alignment, Labor, Camber Bolts).

Everything was fine until I went to leave, I made a right turn out of the parking lot and heard a loud pop, Didn't think anything of it and kept going about 2 miles to a convienence store to grab a drink as I had been waiting there 5 hours! Go to pull into a parking spot and turn my wheel and all vibrating hell breaks loose, It clearly was power steering related as it only happened when I was turning the wheels and you could hear the power steering pump whine when I turned (IT DID NOT DO THIS BEFORE I TOOK IT TO THEM).

So clearly I called them and told them I was IMMEDIATELY coming back, Get it back and the tech hops in and sure enough says they need to work on it some more, 2 hours later and they come back telling me they diagnosed the problem as either a bad Rack/Pinnion or power steering pump and I should replace both of them, And since those items are unable to be damaged during an Alignment they will not cover the cost of the parts, but will only charge me half of the labor cost.

So my question is, Is it possible for them to have damage my Rack/Pinion and or Power Steering pump at anytime during the alignment? If so how would they have done this? I need to know so when I go back in tomorrow after work I can speak with someone higher up and have them eat the costs of all of this bullshit instead of me having to fork out another $450 for parts/labor.

TL;DR - Took car in for alignment, was only pulling to left. Got back from shop and power steering has major issues when turning causing car to violently shake, is that something that could be damage during alignment?

Car is a 2000 Ford Explorer 2wd.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

Read this thread

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=440854

 

[swshawaii]

Ditto. Sounds like the almost weekly occurence of steering wheel shake caused by turning the wheels with the engine off. Seems half the time front end work is done by "trained" technicians or specialists this happens. Baffling part is the "pop" sound described in the OP. Find an empty parking lot and do some figure eights or find a smooth surface to turn on and slowly crank the wheel lock to lock repeatedly until the air purges out and the shake subsides. Many have BTDT before.

 

[koda2000]

Seems like a big problem but isn't. Probably wouldn't have happened if you'd taken it to a Ford dealership for an alignment.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

Seems like a big problem but isn't. Probably wouldn't have happened if you'd taken it to a Ford dealership for an alignment.

Holy crap I didn't even pick up that he took it to a dodge dealer lol.

Yeah OP no worries, the guys probably turned the wheels with the engine off. Just do the lock to lock turns to clear it and it will be fine. Then call the dealer back and ream them out for telling you to replace all that stuff when you don't need it. Not to mention to tell them they were wrong and they did in fact cause your problem

 

[Varsity]

Haha, I like the yelling at the dealer part.

I remember when I did something similar and was unaware of this phenomenon. It was something minor that required me to turn the wheels without the engine on, and the next day it scared that living #%$^ out of me. Now, I try to avoid turning the wheel without the engine on, but if I have to and forget later, I'm like Oh yeah...

 

[1997XLTRollover]

Haha, I like the yelling at the dealer part.

I remember when I did something similar and was unaware of this phenomenon. It was something minor that required me to turn the wheels without the engine on, and the next day it scared that living #%$^ out of me. Now, I try to avoid turning the wheel without the engine on, but if I have to and forget later, I'm like Oh yeah...

I think we've all learned this the hard way. haha Happened to me for the first time a few months back. I had to change my pants, as I was going about 50 mph when it happened. I felt like I was driving a Dodge Ram with their death wobble. It's quite annoying actually, I've never had a vehicle that did this, makes them a pain to work on.

 

[Robman]

Yeah the popping part is strange.

It likely is air in the power steering, imagine if you replaced all that stuff just because of that? Whoa nelly..

 

[Flash]

I've never had that happen strangely enough.

I did leave the park brake on my BMW on once, that was an experience.
Independent rear suspension.