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Need advice on auto repair
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grabes
New User
Dec 24, 2012, 8:49 AM
Post #1 of 10
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Need advice on auto repair
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So here's the deal...my 2006 accord was making a horrible noise when turning wheel. I take it in and they say the steering column needs replacing. Ok...$1000 later i pick it up, drive off, and it's doing the exact same thing! Take it back in and they say oh...the new steering column they put in had a leak (same problem as my old one). It also sucked a bunch of air into the pump and now pump needs replacing as well. They are going to pick up the tab for the pump. My problem is that it was doing the exact same thing as it originally was. I find it hard to believe that a new part had the exact same problem as my old one. How do i know that the pump wasn't the problem to begin with? I feel like they are trying to take me for a fool. Thoughts and what options do I have?
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re-tired
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Dec 24, 2012, 9:20 AM
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Re: Need advice on auto repair
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In hindsight you should have verified the repair , perhaps test drive with the tech that did the work, before you stroked the check .In your defense you expected the correct repair for the money. A steering column noise and a pump with air in the lines should have been distinct different sounds . If the shop was a honest fair minded one they should fix it right for the money you have paid.... A improper or incomplete diagnosis is not your fault.
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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grabes
New User
Dec 24, 2012, 9:38 AM
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Thanks for the reply! I guess i can just dispute the charge or take it to small claims court. Both times the sound was that of air in a hydraulic system...so you're saying a problem with the steering column would not make that kind of noise? They said it was leaking and the low level of fluid is what caused this. A few months ago a hose had busted (there was a recall from honda on this - should have also mentioned this). The same place did the repair...if you ask me they didn't flush it out correctly in the first place now i'm having all these problems. i don't think i should have to pay jack for any of this.
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Sidom
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Dec 24, 2012, 10:25 AM
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Maybe you should look at your invoice and post exactly what the part description is. This isn't making sense. It almost sounds like they installed a "Rack & Pinion" or it may be listed as a "Steering gear" both are the same thing.
The only time you really ever have to replace a whole steering column is if the car has a been in a bad wreck.
With p/s steering noises (hydraulic) there is a lot of different things that can cause it to make this exact same noise. Whether it's a bad part, a part leaking & sucking air into the system or some systems just simply need to be driven for a day or 2 to work all the air out of the system......
List exactly what they did. It sounds like they are trying to work with you to fix this. At some point you may want to get a 2nd opinion......Taking them to court is kinda of a big jump..
(This post was edited by Sidom on Dec 24, 2012, 10:27 AM)
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grabes
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Dec 24, 2012, 10:38 AM
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Yes they did replace the rack and pinion. I'll have to look at the invoice again to see what else - he did say replace steering column as well but I'll have to see what else got replaced. I just mentioned small claims court as an alternative if i'm not happy with the outcome. I agree it would be big jump from where we are at now...I'm just gonna let them fix everything and see where we stand after that. I just find it hard to believe that now it's doing the exact same thing it was when i originally brought it in...but this time the issue is the pump (caused by the defective new rack/pinion they put in). It just isn't sitting well with me and it's going to be hard for them to sell me that the pump wasn't the issue originally. But..if you say a lot of things can cause the same noise....you're the expert and I'm sure as heck not.
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nickwarner
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Dec 24, 2012, 10:40 AM
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You haven't yet allowed them to remedy this problem. Let them have that opportunity. This may come as a shock but mechanics are human. not machines. This may have had a failure of multiple parts, and you exacerbated the damage by continuing to drive it prior to the initial repair like your recalled line. If they saw leaking seals on the steering rack they would've replaced it. While the tech should've certainly test drove this to verify the repair, sometimes it takes a little bit to fully bleed out the air in the system even when all the parts are good. You've spent some decent money on this car, you do have a right to expect it to be repaired, but when you haven't even let them try to remedy this you honestly have no business even using the word court. If you go around always thinking every mechanic out there has nothing on his mind but the next way to screw you out of your money you'll find that word gets around and soon no shop will do business with you at all because of it.
We don't even have the final word yet on exactly what went down with this. We can't see the car. This could possibly be an error by the mechanic, it might not be. So here's my question;
If you ever made the slightest mistake at your job, should I call up a layer and get ready to sue you before I even give you a chance to remedy the error? After all, you're perfect right? So it wouldn't be a mistake, you're trying to screw me out of my money.
Think about that long and hard and remember that every one of the people who are giving you free advice for no compensation are all professional mechanics, just like the people who are working on your car right now.
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grabes
New User
Dec 24, 2012, 11:05 AM
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Nick - no one said anything about doing anything other than letting them proceed with the repair. Nor did i say i'd never made a mistake at my job..of course I have. And of course i've never expected a client to suffer from my doing so. All I'm saying is that if they made a mistake then I'd expect them to make good on it. I don't need you to tell me what I know/don't know about repairing cars..that's why i came to this forum..because I'm not a mechanic. Not get some a-hole remarks like you are giving. Why don't you just not reply at all if all you have to offer is a jerky response.
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Sidom
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Dec 24, 2012, 11:17 AM
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Well unfortunately I can't hear the noise so I am guessing at this point and can only go off the common failures I've seen.
When replacing p/s parts whether it's pumps, racks, hoses, you always get air in the system on start up and in some cases the whine you get is actually worse than the whine it came in making. This is where the tech needs to spend sometime bleeding the system out.
I would have to guess that the shop is now closed so you will be dealing with this after the holidays.....
A couple of quick things you could do in the mean time.....1st open the hood & make sure the p/s reservoir is full. If not top it off with p/s fluid (make sure it's Honda fluid, the wrong fluid can create some whining problems).
Start the engine, take it up to 2000 rpms, hold it there and turn the wheel from stop to stop, hold it at each stop for about 2 to 3 seconds (the whine will probably get louder). Do this about 3 to 4 times, turn the wheel all the way to right, hold, all the way to the left, hold, etc....the whole time keeping it at 2000. This usually works on Fords, they have very picky systems, Honda's usually aren't a problem but this will work with any system.
If you don't know how to make sure the p/s reservoir is full, then don't do the bleeding procedure. If you do this on a low system......you'll make it worse.....
As far as the column goes. I've seen some that will make a scaping noise when they get old. It's not a big problem but you have a moving part (the steering wheel) attach to a non moving part (the column) and there is electronic parts in the moving part that need a circuit. So there is a metal plate in one & a spingloaded "button" in the other that touches the plate to make this circuit. When it gets worn, it will make a scraping noise on turns........ A little di-electric grease applied to the plate will usually make that noise go away.....
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Sidom
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Dec 24, 2012, 11:24 AM
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I think the best thing here is to just focus on the problem at hand....
Once a thread gets off track to the point where it starts getting personal with mods.......it never goes well....
All these guys are here for free donating their time & experience trying to help out........
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 24, 2012, 12:45 PM
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3.0L?
TSB
07-086
April 3, 2009
Power Steering Moans or Whines During Cold Start-Up(Supersedes 07-086, Power Steering Moans or Whines, dated December 1, 2007, to revise the information marked by the black bars)
REVISION
SUMMARY
SYMPTOM
A moan or whine is heard when turning the steering wheel when the engine is cold. There may be air bubbles or foam in the power steering reservoir. The noise usually goes away when the engine warms up.
PROBABLE CAUSE
Air is entering the power steering pump through the inlet joint O ring. This causes bubbles to form in the power steering fluid, leading to reduced pump performance.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace the O-ring on the power steering pump inlet joint.
PARTS INFORMATION
Power steering inlet O ring (orange) P/N 91345-RDA-A01, H/C 8811010
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Honda Genuine Power Steering Fluid: P/N 08206-9002, H/C 3747284 (One container repairs about 12 vehicles.)
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 24, 2012, 12:46 PM)
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