Steering Angle Sensor Issues after Rack Assembly and Pinion replacement

Yeah that’s my point

 

That is horrible. So did the original guy damage it?

 

Yes, that’s what the service advisor thought but then I don’t know how much the service advisor actually knows about cars, after all he’s just there to relay information to me and sell me more services. Toyota ran their scanner, got all the same codes that I did and said it indicated I needed a new steering angle and spiral cable (one part).

All that being said I think we can be 99.5% certain the original guy damaged it. My guess is he took on a job that was a out of his wheel house and screwed up by not tying the front wheel off (which he admitted on a long phone call that he didn’t).

 

I asked the guy for 1500 bucks. Dont try an complete work on a customers car if you cant do it correctly. Then while causing damage and saying “Well I dont know what really happened”. Tell him he can pay in 3 five hundred dollar increments. No reason you should have to pay twice for others mistakes.

 

I sure do feel for you. So all in, that was a $3,700 hit to your wallet. I am just stunned at the lack of accountability on his side. He seems to just be saying......oh well....i tried....Now pay me for the work/damage I did. It sucks brother, we've all been there. Chalk it up to a great lesson learned and get on with your life. How does it drive now? Do you need an alignment after a rack and pinion replacement? If you didnt get one, I would take it to firestone or discount tire, they do a free inspection. The original guy had to undo the outer innder tie rods which may impact the alignment. At this point you dont want to add to your losses by needing to replace front tires. I just paid $700 to replace my front tires because the camber/caster bolts seized and it damaged the tires. Then I had to pay $1,800 to replace the Lower Control Arms (OEM). I feel for you buddy, I really do.

 

Yeah it sucks but it is what it is... I feel so much better now that it's fixed and running as normal and off my mind. The dealership did the alignment and double checked that all was still good in that regard after their repair yesterday. Now I need to find a trustworthy shop in town for future stuff since dealer prices are insane and I'm obviously not ever bringing anything to the other guy again.

 

Yeap, move on. Its done and it drives nice so just move on. You had previously mentioned to me that you have the problem of finding a trustworthy shop. I assume there are shops by you but you dont trust them. I am so fortunate, I have The Car Care Nut 3 minutes from my house and another guy who is beyond trustworthy and does excellent work. The second guy charges $147/hour for labor. Where do you live, what are you paying? The dealership here charges $225/hour. I am about 45 minutes SW of chicago

 

225 an hour ouch

 

Dealer here charges $270 per hour

 

yeap. It sucks. Fortunately, besides warranty work, I havent had to use the dealership. Just had LCA's installed because the caster/camber bolts seized. I had a local shop install them using OEM parts.

 

DAAAAAMMMMNNN. Are you in California?

 

Sent you a DM!

 

When the steering rack is disconnected the steering wheel can spin endlessly. It sounds the the steering was off 360 degrees when he put the rack in a then turning lock to lock overstretched and broke the clock spring.

 

Hence, why the OP said the guy should have tied down the steering wheel to prevent that.

 

I just read the OP and responded. I just use some masking tape around the top of the wheel to dash, and if for whatever reason I have any doubt I check the steering angle sensor reading before hooking the intermediate shaft back to the rack.