Problems after garage replaced ball joint....

[Spanky]

Just hoping for some ideas, basically, my car went for its first MOT this week, failed on the near side bottom ball joint only, the garage (non Seat, local garage) ordered a replacement joint from SEAT, all fitted went to pick it up today.

As soon as I drove off, it didn't feel right, first of all the steering wheel was way off centre, over a quarter of a turn, but also the TCS/ESP light flashes while a grinding noise occurs from the same area where the ball joint was replaced, aswell as the grinding, it appeared to slow the wheel down too (like it was braking) but just that one wheel, which made the car unstable.

All this happens over a very small run, not doing anything over 25-30 mph.

The car is still in the garage, they will attempt to fix tomorrow (via a call to local SEAT dealer, Hobins) so thats not much of a problem (hopefully) just wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what the problem could be...?

 

[m0rk]

like maybe they have damaged the CV joint while doing it?

that would be impressive ineptness

 

[matt_s]

There's a steering angle sensor on the column so if the wheel is off centre the ESP thinks you want to corner and goes mad trying to make the car turn that way. That's what is making the light flash.

The ESP uses the ABS system to get the car round corners by braking individual wheels, does the grinding sound the same as when the ABS kicks in?

Sounds like they messed the tracking up big time.

Try switching off the ESP and see if it helps.

 

[Spanky]

There's a steering angle sensor on the column so if the wheel is off centre the ESP thinks you want to corner and goes mad trying to make the car turn that way. That's what is making the light flash.

The ESP uses the ABS system to get the car round corners by braking individual wheels, does the grinding sound the same as when the ABS kicks in?


Try switching off the ESP and see if it helps.

Yes, it does sound like the ABS kicking in.

Car is in the garage at the moment, never tried turning the ESP off, possibly a bit late now.

Possible sensor fault then...?

It was spot on before it went in...

 

[matt_s]

It's not a sensor fault. The ESP system thinks you are trying to corner because the wheel is turned. It's all doing what it's supposed to, it's just getting confused. They just need to do the tracking so the wheel is straight.

Read through this post, it describes a lot of the problems you had. Especially #9.

 

[andycupra]

ball joint.. ok showing my lack on mechanical knowhow...
but is it possible they fitted the wrong one... or even if a new ball joint means new wishbone or something..

the problems sound exactly the same as i had on a previous car.
ok ok so it was a fiesta, (it was a stop gap car... honest!)
the lower ball joint went and they are not replaceable so it was a new wishbone...
they fitted it and i drove off the exaclty the same prob as you.
they then spent hour comparing different year parts all with very suttle diferences till they got right one. weird

 

[Spanky]

Its just a ball joint, they showed me the old one. They purchased the new one direct from SEAT, so it should be right, but like you say, may not be...!

Thanks alot for this info, Matt

 

[Spanky]

Picked car up today, all sorted now.

All the garage did, was to un-do the newly fitted ball joint, and re-tighten while car had its weight on the wheels. Perfect now.... very strange !!!

 

[andycupra]

doh.

glad its sorted.

 

[Spanky]

Cheers mate, obviously fitted incorrectly the first time.

Cheers for your help on this post.

 

[ibizacupra]

Picked car up today, all sorted now.

All the garage did, was to un-do the newly fitted ball joint, and re-tighten while car had its weight on the wheels. Perfect now.... very strange !!!

so they did'nt check camber then... lower ball joints are adjustable of a fashion..