Wishbone change..... HELP!!! ......please

[StuBeeDoo]

Any help ?

Thanks Martin. Not sure if it does help actually. Mine doesn't have the pipe running from the pinion housing to half way along the rack casing.
But perhaps that's the problem!
Cheers
Stuart.

[StuBeeDoo]

A change in career which effected a twenty grand pay cut for the sake of my sanity.

Fair play to you my man! I'm in the process of learning the hard way that money and happiness don't necessarily come together. We have plans afoot that will affect our income seriously, but at least we won't be as pressured and stressed as we are now.

Selling new cars is unsurprisingly dissatisfying compared to nursing.

Fair play again!! I have nothing but admiration for nurses. Don't think that here's the place to be drawn on the political issues within the NHS but I could rant on for ages on that one. I've spent most of the last fifteen years living with 2 nurses - but not both at the same time!

[Martinaston]

essbee
the reason the rack in the pictures is covered in oil is because the pipes that run from the pinion housing had been taken off and then re-fitted with the same crush washers.

That was enough to make it loose fluid pretty quick, If you look at the second picture you can see the 4 copper washers that have now been fitted to cure the problem.(the original washers are aluminium)

I've never gone out and bought a new rack (to tight ) but do they come with the main pipes fitted ?
If not then the guy may have done the same and used the old washers, in which case i'd go and have a chat with him.

I think the aluminium rack does not have the pipe on top you mentioned but don't quote me on that.

If it's painted black you can tell if it's the ali one by the grip pattern along the underside of the rack and when they leak from the seals within the rack the fluid normally comes out of the gaitors at the ends.(so thats ECP's fault)

[StuBeeDoo]

If you look at the second picture you can see the 4 copper washers that have now been fitted to cure the problem.(the original washers are aluminium)

That's worth me checking. This is where 6000 heads are better than one. You know how it is, sometimes you can't see the wood etc......

but do they come with the main pipes fitted?

No they don't, they have plastic plugs in.

when they leak from the seals within the rack the fluid normally comes out of the gaitors at the ends.

That's what my last one was doing.

I've never gone out and bought a new rack (to tight )

Me too! I hate spending money un-necessarily, that's what this is all about. The last 'rack, I only bought because I had to. If I could have I would have got away with it, I would have just replaced the seals. I don't work the hours that I do just to throw my money at someone else. However, if I can see a justification for spending money then it doesn't bother me.

I've been to ECP this morning and checked on a 'rack out of their stock. Mine's an ally one. The hole I can feel is a blind one, so the oil must be coming from above that. I'll check tomorrow if the oil's coming from the banjo's on the main pipes. As I recall, one of the main pipes is further up the pinion housing than the blind hole. May have to get in there with a mirror. If it isn't the washers on the banjo unions, then it has to be the seal at the top of the pinion housing, in which case it is down to ECP.

Martin..... Thanks for your input here, it's much appreciated.
Stuart.

[Karan]

OK, so BMWs are reliable. In my experience (eighteen months ownership) every time my car has needed work, it's never been a straightforward repair job.

I can't think of anything on a BMW that's not straightforward if you know what you're doing. Most things come apart easily and can be replaced without needing new bits or leaving evidence that they,ve been apart.
The evolution of the E30 from a 316 carb to a fully loaded 325 has made a few things harder to get at than they originally were, but all things considered, a lot easier than most makes.

i agree... im 20 and ive only had e30s for 3 yrs.... and am at uni studying dentistry yet i manage to do most things including rebuildiung heads and swapping engines,..... these cars are very easy to work on.... the e34 however is another matter

[StuBeeDoo]

I've been out and had another look. Things are starting to fall into place now!!
The fluid is coming from the top of the pinion housing, on the underside (i.e hidden from below by the crossmember). On closer inspection, the clamp below the bottom U.J has been belted hard with a hammer - presumably to get the shaft on to the pinion.
When I got the car back from having the 'rack fitted, the steering was stiff around dead centre, but the muppet who fitted it said it would bed-in. I begged to differ, but I got the usual "why are you paying someone to do the job for you if you're better?" bo**ox.
I think he's beaten hell out of the clamp to get it on and damaged the rack.
I'm not even going to bother to attempt to take it up with him, I don't want him within 10 feet of my car, and anyway that much time has passed since he did the job that he's bound to use the time-lapse as a get out. I should have taken it back to him as soon as I knew it was leaking.
I'm going to have to buy another 'rack and put it down to experience.
On the "up-side", I've just been recommended to another garage. It's a few miles away, but I'll give it a try.

[Martinaston]

If it's dead at centre i suspect he's fuked the uj as well and if that decides to let go at speed well i can only guess what would happen.

As for buying a new rack, Well all i can think of is ARE YOU INSANE.

I would put the mucking fonkey out of business.

You without doubt have a case to get the guy investigated and lots of money thrown in as well.

[StuBeeDoo]

I would put the mucking fonkey out of business.

Martin..... While I agree (to a certain extent) with your theory, I'm a businessman and if I screw-up I wouldn't want some low-life screwing with my livelyhood. Word of mouth is pretty deadly and I already know of at least three people who are in a similar boat to me. It won't be long before his customer base is dwindling!
Can you see where I'm coming from here??

[Martinaston]

No

If word of mouth is so reliable how come's you went to him in the first place?

I will lay money you only found out about the other three complaint's AFTER you got fuked over.

If your frame of mind is that customers will shy away from using him then your wrong.
If it's unfare to report the guy because your a business man as well, then what does that say about you?

I know i would not do business with you if thats the way you think.

The reason people like him stay in business is because people like you let them.

and if you think what goes around comes around then it's going to come around anyway so why not let him have it sooner rather than later ?

I can tell from your responces that your embarressed and somewhat annoyed by the whole thing, but letting it slide will not make it taste any sweeter and you won't forget it in a hurry, especialy while your trying to drive in a straight line

[StuBeeDoo]

If word of mouth is so reliable how come's you went to him in the first place?

I wasn't recommended to him, I went there having found him in Yellow Pages.

I will lay money you only found out about the other three complaint's AFTER you got fuked over.

I actually heard one complaint about him about four months ago, and another a couple of months ago. At those times, I only had suspicions about the work that had been done on my car.

If your frame of mind is that customers will shy away from using him then your wrong.

It's a fact that the best advertising is word of mouth recommendations. I have built my business from scratch without ever advertising. On the other hand, just a few upset customers can severly affect any business, particularly if those customers are in proportionate size to the business.

If it's unfare to report the guy because your a business man as well, then what does that say about you?

It says that I don't see the point in chucking a pile of hard-earned at litigation just to see someone suffer. What's the point in getting into a court-room slanging match when the only ones who'll benefit will be the lawyers??

I know i would not do business with you if thats the way you think

Your choice! I'd prefer that if you were going to use my services you came to me on the recommendation of someone else.

I can tell from your responces that your embarressed and somewhat annoyed by the whole thing, but letting it slide will not make it taste any sweeter and you won't forget it in a hurry, especialy while your trying to drive in a straight line

Embarrassed?? Annoyed?? Yes! But only that I didn't ask around before taking my car there. When anyone asks me where they should take their car, I'll tell them where not to take it.

[Martinaston]

Well after those wise words you've convinced me.

I would do business with you all day long seven days a week.

But when it came to paying you, you wouldn't get a penny.
I wonder how long before you go out of business?

It doesn't cost anything to report him to the trading standards

[johnl320]

Martin
Do you really think that Stuart needs you getting on his case when all he's trying to do is get his car sorted? Chill out man
John

[Martinaston]

johnl320
Nice comment, shame it's a day late.

The guys out of pocket, he's had a repair done that won't even get his car through an MOT, he now has to buy another rack and he's happy to let the guy get away with it

What happens the next time some old granny takes her car to that mechanic that knows even less about cars ?

Would you be happy with that kind of service ?

If essbee is happy to sit on his hands thats his choice

[johnl320]

Sorry i didn't realise all posts had to be answered within a certain time. As you can see I'm still a newbie. I agree that Stuart has been ripped off and if it was me i would be doing something about it,like you said. Does he really need to read comments like : when it came to paying you, you wouldn't get a penny. I wonder how long it would be before you went out of buisness.
Surely thats not what the zone is about,don't you think it was a bit harsh?
regards
John

[Martinaston]

If you think the comment is harsh then what would you class the treatment he recieved from the garage as?

I mean take his money and turn his car into a death trap. But god forbid i should offend the bloke

I think you took the statement out of context when i said not paying him a penny. I was refering to the fact that he doesn't mind paying good money and getting a shit service in return, so by that rekoning he should not mind doing a weeks work for me and not getting paid. I wasn't trying to offend him, just make him realise that he should be feeling the way he does and has every right to get the guy to correct his mistake or get fuked in return by the trading standards.

As for what the zone is about. I thought it was about real people not all peace and love, because that is obviously not the case where the garage in question is concerned.

[StuBeeDoo]

For anyone who may be slightly interested.....
I had another 'rack fitted today. Found a very helpful "old school" garage. Garage is actually a very good description - it's a large wooden structure with a pit - and not a ramp in sight. Defo no frills here, but gimme service any day.
The gadgie did everything I asked without question and his labour rate is very reasonable too. He confirmed that it was the 'rack leaking (not a pipe, union, etc.), and after checking that it wasn't due to the pump over-pressurising, fitted the new one with the new track rods and ends ("wouldn't do it any other way Sir"!), checked the column UJ's for play/tight spots and re-set the tracking ("you don't fit a new 'rack without re-setting the tracking!").
So, the 'rack that came out is going back to ECP as a warranty claim, and (at the moment...!) I'm happy again. As long as ECP play ball, then all's well that ends well. I won't be too badly out of pocket, and it'll be worth it for the peace of mind. ........And I got an invoice!! No "sorry, the computer's playing-up" here - he hasn't got a computer (and by the look of him, he wouldn't know what to do with it if he did).
........ And the car didn't have muck all over the steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake when I got it back.
All I can say about this (protracted) tale of woe is don't judge a garage by what it looks like from outside, it's how well the Dude treats you and your car that counts.
I'm almost back in love with my Touring again. Once I get the "ticket" in my hand on Monday morning I'll be all luvved-up again!

[johnl320]

Nice one Stuart , I'm chuffed for you. Hey guess whats started leaking on my car? no prizes for guessing right!
Regards
John

[StuBeeDoo]

Nice one Stuart , I'm chuffed for you. Hey guess whats started leaking on my car? no prizes for guessing right!
Regards
John

Thanks John. Will you be doing yours yourself?
Do I remember you saying you have a breaker??

[johnl320]

yeah,I'll do it myself but the breaker hasn't got power steering.i'll just keep topping it up for now!! . Its leaking out of one of the gaiters but not to bad yet. Its just a matter of time though
regards
john

[StuBeeDoo]

FINAL UPDATE. Got the MOT this morning, then went straight 'round to ECP with the dodgy 'rack.
Saw a different dude at the counter, and he gave me a full refund, no questions asked.
Next job is replace the cylinder head - and I'm planning on doing that myself.........

[Martinaston]

Glad it worked out for you in the end, you might want to await the outcome of Adammcf's head problems before attempting your's.
Because if your's goes wrong we'll probably find you swinging from the refters

[martin325sport]

man, just had a look through all of the above, and remebered why I generally stay away from garages! essbee, I notice that you are in the good old north east.. I can recommend a garage who would be able to do your head, and I have to say I think they are pretty good. It is down in middlesbrough (well thornaby) so not that close, but they are a BMW specialist called Teesside Autotech. I think they are in yellow pages etc.

My brother takes his 325i sport, and his M5 there, and he is happy with them. I dropped my old sport on them ewth 24hours notice at christmas when I was home visiting, and realised my inlet manifold gasket was knackered. they did the job, cleaned the injectors and set the TPS for a reasonable price, and the car was much better after! at the very least they can soucre BMW parts etc. if you need them.

Good luck with the car, I have had BMW's for 18months now, and I smile when I get into my car.. stick with it!

Martin

[StuBeeDoo]

a BMW specialist called Teesside Autotech.

Thanks for that Martin. I do have their number, but as you say, Thornaby is a canny way away.
I have heard good reports about their work, 'tis a pity I'm not nearer to them.

if your's goes wrong we'll probably find you swinging from the refters

When I get 'round to doing mine, I'll have a few days off over a weekend. The business won't be so time consuming by then, so the pressure won't be as great.