[darthmal86]

well yesterday after a major duel between my car and a kerb i think the steering has been misaligned or something.

whilst driving today i noticed that to go in a straight line, the steering wheel would need to be slightly turned to the right! an if the wheel was straight it would tend to the left []

also the steering shakes slightly at about 80mph and feels loose.

what seems to be the problem and how can it be fixed?also how much is it going to cost?

many thanks.

 

[topcat]

tracking and wheel alignment probably 35-40 quid at worst mate. when you say its loose is there play in the wheel?

 

[darthmal86]

no its only loose at high speeds but normal speeds its ok. as in i can turn the wheel but it doesnt turn as much as it should it just wobbles more?

 

[weeloon]

Get the wheel that hit the kerb balanced - wobble sorted

Get the front wheel alignment done, but make sure the steering wheel is straight ahead when getting adjustments made - All Sorted

 

[darthmal86]

thanks guys. will take it 2 kwik fit today.

 

[topcat]

mines loose at speed, any ideas anyone cos its just plain scary!

 

[darthmal86]

ok crap just found out my steering rod or some sort of rod, maybe control rod is bent!

he said its just a matter of taking off the wheel and unscrewing the old rod and screwing in the new rod.

how much would/does this cost?

thanks

 

[darthmal86]

or maybe it was the tracking rod?

 

[darthmal86]

ok just looked and track rods cost about ?30ish so not too bad.

also is there any point going to Audi or a skoda garage to get it fitted over the VW dealers?

 

[weeloon]

Must have been a fair knock to bend the track rod, I would guestimate no more than an hours labour to fit it and then whatever the tracking costs to set it up again.

 

[MarkGTI]

In answer to you question of which garage: VW dealers charge 90 GBP per hour for labour, Skoda dealers charge 60 GBP per hour (in the Surrey area at least). I've used a Skoda dealer in the past to get straight forward stuff fixed, so I would recommend them.

 

[topcat]

and someone like jabbasport or other tuning firm will probably charge ?35 per hour and wont rip you off, main stealers suck.

 

[darthmal86]

hmm...im not sure if theres a skoda dealer around my area (slough) but there is an audi one, is that one recommended?

also what tuning firms are around near slough if any??

 

[darthmal86]

ok i got some quotes:

parts plus labour:

VW - ?200

skoda - ?70

i know who im going to!

also i was thinking if the knock was strong enough to bend the track rod do you think it would've affected/damaged the suspension at all? (looking for a reason to get lowered suspension [] )

 

[Mister_E]

darth, which skoda dealer did you go to?

Were you happy with their work?

 

[darthmal86]

the skoda dealer is nera highwycombe along the A40 somewere. but i havent been yet ive got the car booked in for next friday which is aggeesss away but ill let you know how it goes.

they seemed more friendly than VW over the phone and they did actually ring me back within a few minutes to confirm everything! so quite nice.

 

[darthmal86]

Quote: posted by Mister_E on 21/01/2005 11:09:34

darth, which skoda dealer did you go to?

Were you happy with their work?

ok went to the skoda dealer today but they got the repair wrong.

i asked them to change the tie rod.

they went to change the tie rod end ... an then told me my tie rod was bent?

ok that was the part i told them to change in the first place...

anyhow a small mis-understanding but it didnt cost me anything [] except for the petrol getting there and back [:X] and then the hassle of missing a day of uni [B)] and then also the hassle of having to book it in elsewhere and then also the hassle of [xx(] ... anyway had a really bad day overall and i guess it was a mis-understanding so i dont think they are that bad. they seemed friendly and told me exactly what was wrong with the car.