1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
In the post I quoted below; a couple of days ago I described the nightmare experience I had with a frontend alignment my local Saab dealer performed. They returned my car with loose steering and wanted $2100 for a new steering rack! After researching the problem on this board I discovered that the lower u-joint was loose on the steering column. I removed the u-joint, lubed the splines, and tightened the u-joint good. This fixed the problem and my car now steers tight again...Thank You to all the people who participate on this board!
"I took my 04 9-5 Arc to my local Saab dealer for an algnment. I should have listened to posters on this board that said go to an independent shop...
My car has been perfect since new but I hit some nasty pot holes this past winter and the car started tracking slightly to the right and the steering wheel was offset slightly to the left.
When I got the car back from the alignment the steering had a 1/2" dead spot (i.e. I could move the steering wheel back and forth a 1/2" driving down the road with no input to the wheels. I took the car back and first the tech tried telling me it was normal for a car with 90,000miles. I had them look at the alignment again, and then was told my steering rack was worn and it will be $2100 for a new one.
Well, a 2nd tech worked on the car and said he fixed it by putting the Toe at the maximum range (0.18)on both wheels, he claimed this put pressure on the steering rack to tighten it up. When I got the car back the steering was tight again and the car tracks straight (steering wheel still offset). Major PITA.
Sorry about this long post. I guess my questions are:
1. Is my steering rack worn out?
2. Will 0.18 Toe wear out my tires and/or front end?
Thanks. "
posted by 72.73.10...
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