So, I've been hearing odd clunking noises from my front passenger side when going over bumps for the last couple of months. It wasn't a terrible noise, and I didn't notice any other performance degradation, so I put off getting it checked out for a while. I took it in today to get it checked out, and I've been told that my steering rack has been completely damaged and needs to be replaced. I've been quoted $2000 for it, including parts and labor.

Any idea how this could happen? Does anyone have any experience with it?

A few weeks ago I got into a fender bender when someone rolled into my front bumper in a parking lot, then took off. This took place after I started hearing the noises, so there's no way it could have caused the damage. Unfortunately I've been told that even if my warranty might have covered the steering rack damage, because I was in a fender bender, the warranty would not cover anything.

So...does anyone have any suggestions on causes for this?

Thanks everyone!

 

Who told you that it would not be covered? To which dealer did you go? Have pictures of the damage from the collision?

 

Don Herring in Irving. The collision damage has not been repaired, so I can take pics when I go back to the dealership. The damage consists of paint scrapes on the front driver side bumper and the bumper is slightly bent out on that side.

 

I get the same noise when turning into a parking lot bump with the passenger front as well, but I will be damned if I can't find it!

 

If there was no damage to your wheel, I'd find it hard for them to claim that the damage to your bumper would be the cause of the damaged steering rack (the onus would be on Mitsu to show that this caused the damage). I'd probably pursue this avenue first...

Did you file a police report on the hit and run damage? If so, and the dealer wants to provide said documentation that the collision caused the damage, you could claim all of this on collision or uninsured motorist policy.

 

Thanks- I'll talk to the dealer about it when I go pick up the car and take it from there.

If they won't budge, I'll try and see if they can get with my insurance on this and talk to my insurance company myself.

If everything fails, I'll see if Evolution Dynamics can maybe give me a second opinion!

Thanks, guys.

 

i have a steering rack, used of course, if you want me to install it. it will be far far cheaper then 2000 too

i'll do the rack for 250, and between 350-500 for install (pulling the subframe is required). i can give you a closer estimate once i remove the rack from my parts car.

if insurance is covering the repairs, we can do it for you as well. if dealer fixes it for free even better