Lucky the Mk1 Leon is this the end of the road? (steering rack fault)

[mikesndbs]

Hi guys hope you are all safe and well.

My 2005 Mk1 Leon 20v 1.8 with AGN engine has had a difficult life.

However now it does feel like she’s reached the end of the road.

We had a holiday in Dorset this September and drove over 600 miles during it, no trouble at all.

She’s got some cosmetic issues with peeling clear coat but overall for a 20 year old car she’s doing well.

However last Sunday after getting back from a day out I noticed a unsettling ‘clunk’ coming from the front mid left when ever I moved the steering wheel.

At this point the clunk happens when I move the wheel slightly to the left and back to the right. If I move it to the left then left again there is no clunk.

It doesn’t happen going over bumps, maybe slightly on braking sharply but does happen in full left lock.

I noticed my power steering fluid was down well less than minimum, my attention drawn by a groaning noise in full lock either side.

It was suggested that CV, Ball, drive shaft and even coil springs might be defective so I had her booked into the local garage today as we were concerned for safety.

They took the whole day to tell me that the steering rack was at fault!!! Some valve maybe.

Total cost to replace being estimated at well over £1000. She already had this amount last March with MOT, service and new cam belt. Being on a pension now and her being 20 years old I really find it hard to justify another 1000+ given something else may well fail soon.

The garage said there was a lot of corrosion in the area and they were worried about getting the bolts out and back in as well.

My question to the group is does this explanation sound correct? She’s driving fine and since I topped up her fluid the steering is better than ever.

I turn 60 myself next year and am not that flexible to start getting under her looking but I’d like to know if there is anything else going on, can the rack be repaired? Is it dangerous now? (Big question)

Thanks for listening and any help offered.

Mike, West Sussex UK

 

[Alexis27]

Sounds like they just don't want the job.
Rack is £275. 3 / 4 hours labour = £180 - £240.

Pardon our interruption...

20 year old rusted bolts are part and parcel of being a mechanic.

But bear in mind that low fluid will give you your clunking symptoms and if topping it up has solved it. So I wouldn't worry until the next MOT. Worst case scenario is that you lose your power steering, so it's not massively unsafe in the grand scheme of things. It would still steer.

 

[mikesndbs]

Sounds like they just don't want the job.
Rack is £275. 3 / 4 hours labour = £180 - £240.

Pardon our interruption...

20 year old rusted bolts are part and parcel of being a mechanic.

But bear in mind that low fluid will give you your clunking symptoms and if topping it up has solved it. So I wouldn't worry until the next MOT. Worst case scenario is that you lose your power steering, so it's not massively unsafe in the grand scheme of things. It would still steer.

Hey thanks

WOW what a difference in price there.

The topping up has not stopped the clunk just to be clear.
I have a friend looking her over on the weekend who knows them well.

Like to keep her going if I can given all our history together

 

[Thai-wronghorse]

I've got a used rack available if you want to much cheaper fix

Sent from my SM-S906B using Tapatalk

 

[BadBoy03]

Hey thanks

WOW what a difference in price there.

The topping up has not stopped the clunk just to be clear.
I have a friend looking her over on the weekend who knows them well.

Like to keep her going if I can given all our history together

I agree with Alexis. I wouldn't take this garage seriously, a second opinion is definitely needed.
They may be right about the steering, but may be over quoting for their own sakes.
I would check your steering fluid at intervals too, even take it out for a good drive & see if the level changes. Worth checking for a leak if it was low before. Also power steering pump will be noisy on turns if failing, (although this tends to be a whining/whirring sound).
If possible, jack up front & with assistance, check for play/clunk in wheels & on turns/full lock. It will help determine if it's the wheels at fault first.
Best of luck, I'm sure it's not done for yet

 

[mikesndbs]

I've got a used rack available if you want to much cheaper fix

Sent from my SM-S906B using Tapatalk

Oh that's really kind, can I message you after Saturday when my mate has a look?

 

[mikesndbs]

I agree with Alexis. I wouldn't take this garage seriously, a second opinion is definitely needed.
They may be right about the steering, but may be over quoting for their own sakes.
I would check your steering fluid at intervals too, even take it out for a good drive & see if the level changes. Worth checking for a leak if it was low before. Also power steering pump will be noisy on turns if failing, (although this tends to be a whining/whirring sound).
If possible, jack up front & with assistance, check for play/clunk in wheels & on turns/full lock. It will help determine if it's the wheels at fault first.
Best of luck, I'm sure it's not done for yet

Thank you. Yes certainly something weird going on with them.
It's had a good bit of use and the fluid has remained exactly where it was.
I did notice a slighting grinding noise when in full left lock today, not from the steering I'd say more like the drop links or somehting? Who knows lol.
Thanks for the good wishes, I really hope she's pull through

 

[BadBoy03]

Fingers crossed your mate can help.
Wish you all the best.

 

[Nam-uk]

Hey thanks

WOW what a difference in price there.

The topping up has not stopped the clunk just to be clear.
I have a friend looking her over on the weekend who knows them well.

Like to keep her going if I can given all our history together

ask on your local FB page for a good mechanic local that don't rip you off and got a good rep as some just have a replace mentality were it could be just something simple, the drop links are common if they are gone go genuine as some aftermarket types don't last

 

[mikesndbs]

Hello everyone, sorry for the late update.
My friend had a look and discovered that my track rods were worn and making the noise, nothing at all wrong with the rack FFS!
As for the rust its just surface and he can clean that off.
Other than that she just needs new shocks and all should be well.
Just waiting for him to fit me in. Bloody garage!!!!!!!

 

[Alexis27]

Great news!

So many dodgy garages out there. Tried to get one to change my thermostat because it wasn't getting up to temperature. Alarm bells should have started ringing when the receptionist said "isn't that a good thing?"

When I picked it up they said they'd tested it and it was fine.

Still didn't get up to temperature on the gauge, and more to the point, who removes a fifteen quid thermostat, apparently "tests it" (with a kettle?) and puts it back in?

Got a mobile mechanic to replace it and it fixed everything.

Never went back to Whitefield MOT Centre, Croft Mill, Albert Close, Whitefield, Manchester M45 8EH ever again. God knows how they got so 221 5 star reviews. I think the local taxi companies use it for a reason.

Yes, I'm naming and shaming.

 

[Nam-uk]

Hello everyone, sorry for the late update.
My friend had a look and discovered that my track rods were worn and making the noise, nothing at all wrong with the rack FFS!
As for the rust its just surface and he can clean that off.
Other than that she just needs new shocks and all should be well.
Just waiting for him to fit me in. Bloody garage!!!!!!!

Good
So just a standard wear and tear items.. imagine the people they have ripped off in the past, remember a girl coming in the garage I use to go in and she wanted a second opinion on the first garage said she needed a new gearbox as it was noisy, on the ramp it went and all it was was a cover rattling as the fixing and clip broke