Had my steering rack fixed on 2000 plate 1.3 Felly and power steering also for grand sum of 375 inc. VAT. Still not sure why he had to replace whole rack as I'm not a mechanic but am going to collect old one for inspection.

However on fixing this mechanic explained that a ring had split on the airbag machanism effectively rendering it useless. Red light is now on dash and it will not operate in the event of a crash.

Will be going back to him when convenient as not very happy but just checking there isn't anything I need to know.

He seemed to suggest that it was a common problem on these cars and VW polos which are similar design.

Anyone ?

I don't see why he couldn't source a rebuilt rack either. The need for replacement probably comes about from the cost of his time in stripping it down to replace a hydraulic seal being more than the cost of the new rack though.

"A ring on the airbag mechanism" is a bit vague. Did he actually say "slip ring"? A slip ring is a contact used to allow fixed wiring to pass over a joint that turns, such as between a steering wheel and the static wiring on the steering column.

I've never heard of a slip ring splitting before, other than due to active abuse. Presuming that the airbag warning light wasn't on before, I'd suspect that your mechanic has broken the slip ring whilst installing the new rack.

"A ring on the airbag mechanism" is a bit vague. Did he actually say "slip ring"? A slip ring is a contact used to allow fixed wiring to pass over a joint that turns, such as between a steering wheel and the static wiring on the steering column.

I've never heard of a slip ring splitting before, other than due to active abuse. Presuming that the airbag warning light wasn't on before, I'd suspect that your mechanic has broken the slip ring whilst installing the new rack.

Quite possible it was done when the steering wheel was re-aligned if he didn't manage to get the column onto the rack with the alignment correct - (from personal experience I found doing that this was difficult/near impossible, although I am not a trained/experienced mechanic.)

Quite possible it was done when the steering wheel was re-aligned if he didn't manage to get the column onto the rack with the alignment correct - (from personal experience I found doing that this was difficult/near impossible, although I am not a trained/experienced mechanic.)

I hobby a fair bit with gear systems similar to a "rack and pinion", and find the thing to do is place the 2 parts together, then rotate the pinion drive to get the parts to mesh. Obviously, in the case of a steering system, I'd then have to sort out correcting the alignment of of the wheel!

I spoke to the mechanic who said he bush on the rack was not a part that could be ordered separately and that he ordered a rack from a place where they take your old one away ( I guess to fix).

He also denied damaging the slip ring and said he wasn't working in the area of its (the slip ring) location. I am not convinced and feel a phone call to Trading Standards and Citizens Advice might be necessary.

Any ideas ?

I don't know if the problem not existing before the car went in for repair, yet after a repair a part linked (in some way) to the part being repaired is now broken - is enough to show for certain that they are responsible.

I would imagine a reputable garage would offer to repair it at no cost, or to cover part of the cost.

It's probably a good idea to call trading standards and ask for advice.

I spoke to the mechanic who said he bush on the rack was not a part that could be ordered separately and that he ordered a rack from a place where they take your old one away ( I guess to fix).

He also denied damaging the slip ring and said he wasn't working in the area of its (the slip ring) location. I am not convinced and feel a phone call to Trading Standards and Citizens Advice might be necessary.

Any ideas ?

I'm not claiming he was actively working near the slip rings (they're at the other end of the steering column), but he most assuredly did need to work on the assembly that contains them (the steering column).