Clock Spring / Rack and Pinion

Hello all,

I've searched the forums and I think I know the answer, but I would like to confirm.

I put my 2006 Tacoma in the shop for a rack and pinion replacement. After leaving the shop, my horn and cruise control wouldn't work. A quick search told me that it was the clock spring and that more than likely it was damaged when they replace the R&P.

I dropped the truck off yesterday and low and behold they call me and confirmed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. They told me it had nothing to do with the rack and pinion replacement and that it was a "coincidence".

Am I being played for a fool?

Thanks ... Adam

 

you sure are, if they allowed the steering wheel to turn past the clockspring limits while the steering shaft was disconnected from the rack it will damage it. Pretty easy to see they are trying to get out of the replacement. If it wasn't broken before you brought it in, and the work they did had a chance of damaging the clockspring I think it's a pretty easy case to paint that they have damaged it.

 

I second everything he said ^^^^^^^

The chance of it being a coincidence is pretty much 0.

 

Just to educate you a little so you can be certain they're dicking with you, skip to 1:25 mark to see the internals of a clock spring. Normally, that clock spring is limited by your steering rack from being overextended. You can only turn the steering wheel a few rotations in either direction.

When the rack and pinion gets removed, there's nothing to keep the steering wheel from spinning freely. If it gets spun too much, that internal ribbon tears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI98pGCCFD4

 

Thanks for the info.

I will share this with them. It's a shame that I have to even go this far.

 

Everything they already said^^^

Out of curiosity, was this a big name shop that did the work and what did they charge?

 

Yes, just over $1200 for the R&P (with taxes).

Would be an additional $600 (ish) for the clock spring. Owner has offered to share the cost ... I pay for the part and he pays the labor.

(My wife wants to pick the truck up and pay someone else to fix it at full cost ... she says its the principle of the matter )

Thanks for the replies

 

if he's offering to share the cost that's admission of guilt right there, and he's hoping to get away for cheaper because they know they did you wrong.

 

This shop should be paying you the full costs. Whether or not you want to bring it to a different shop as your wife advises, the offending shop should reimburse you.

The shop's negligence in not securing the steering wheel from movement is what caused the damage. They skipped a critical step of the repair process, damaging the component.

100% their fault means they pay 100% of the cost.

Sharing the repair cost with them for something they are liable for is bullshit and not in any way fair to you.

Go after these people with the fury of a thousand suns my friend. Don't let anyone screw you around. Now get in there, negotiate, and give them the business!

 

Well, if its a national brand repair shop they stand a better chance of owning up to it. I'd file a BBB complaint, credit card dispute and light them up on social media review sites if they don't offer you a better deal. Squeaky wheel gets the grease!

 

See if you can copy the Toyota R&P replacement procedure including where it says to secure the steering wheel. If they didn't follow procedure then the mechanic is responsible for the damage.

 

...or just fix it yourself.

I've changed 6 or 7 clock springs over the years.

They cost $35 off of eBay or you can spend north of $200 for an OEM that is the exact same thing.

I've taken both apart. There is no difference in quality.

It sucks that this happened. But no one is perfect.

 

I would take the money for the cost of part and labor from that shop and keep it, then replace it myself so you have the best of both worlds. Nobody is perfect of course, but when you bring your vehicle to a shop you expect them to fix what's broken, not break something that was working.

 

I agree with your wife. If you don’t have the tools or skills to do it yourself, take it to another reputable shop.

Send the bill to the original shop and see how much they’ll reimburse. Be up front with them this is what you’re doing.

Sounds harsh but they tried to say it wasn’t their fault. Scumbag move IMHO.

Make sure your steering wheel is lined up straight too before you close out with them.

 

This man paid for a service to get something done for him. He didn't pay his hard earned cash so he would have to do it himself.

No one is perfect, yes. Try to form a line of perfect people, no one will be in it. This has no effect on the matter at hand though.

Mediocrity cannot be accepted; This country is full of it, and its time we get this bus turned around. One way we can elevate people is by holding them accountable. Whether they like it or not.

 

Would you like me to bring you a soap box?...

 

Sarcasm has no place in a discussion on principles, Kirk.

We're talking about protecting the pocket book of a fellow member. Don't be a twit.

 

Update : Shop owner decided to take care of the entire job including the part.

Thanks for all the information. I am sure without it I would have been up the creek without a paddle.

 

Very good. Everyone screws up on occasion, it's how they handle it that makes the difference. In all honesty, I'd flip a couple 20's or a 50 to the mechanic and thank him for fixing the damage.

 

Just curious. Did he use a Toyota part or did he use aftermarket parts? I have nothing against either, I just know it's a very easy job and the only difference is the price of the parts.