In November 2019 I had the steering rack replaced at great expense at a Skoda dealership - €1300.00

Since then I have driven only 2000K. 

The steering has started to become 'stiff' - seems worse in cold weather than hot!

I took it back to the dealership as it was under guarantee. 

They tell me it is nothing to do with the steering rack BUT is now the steering pump and want another vast sum - €1100.00 to replace this!

Are the 2 issues connected? 

Does the price sound high?

I feel I am being 'ripped off' in as much that the 2 items are linked? Or is not the case?

The car is diesel - 2010 year - 92000k.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Many thanks.

3 hours ago, carolla said:

In November 2019 I had the steering rack replaced at great expense at a Skoda dealership - €1300.00

Since then I have driven only 2000K. 

The steering has started to become 'stiff' - seems worse in cold weather than hot!

I took it back to the dealership as it was under guarantee. 

They tell me it is nothing to do with the steering rack BUT is now the steering pump and want another vast sum - €1100.00 to replace this!

Are the 2 issues connected? 

Does the price sound high?

I feel I am being 'ripped off' in as much that the 2 items are linked? Or is not the case?

The car is diesel - 2010 year - 92000k.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Many thanks.

 

It may well be the issue that the steering pump is unfortunately dying on you, The part should cost around 180-200 euros......My advice would be, If you can don't take it to a dealership and try an independent garage as the price the dealership have charged you for a steering rack is unjustifiable. The steering rack is abou 250 euors new.

 

Is it an option to go to an independent garage?

Thank you Mick for your reply. EEEKKK! I have been ripped off!

Regarding the steering pump, you mention the part is 180-200 euros. How much would the labour charges please, on average? Is it a big job?

I will certainly look around for an independent garage.

A bit of a long shot - are you in Spain/Fuengirola area? If so can you recommend a garage?

Thank you for your reply - much appreciated.

 

Just now, carolla said:

Thank you Mick for your reply. EEEKKK! I have been ripped off!

Regarding the steering pump, you mention the part is 180-200 euros. How much would the labour charges please, on average? Is it a big job?

I will certainly look around for an independent garage.

A bit of a long shot - are you in Spain/Fuengirola area? If so can you recommend a garage?

Thank you for your reply - much appreciated.

 

 

Sorry I'm in the Uk, Its the labour dealerships charge that has ramped up your bill as Skoda  dealerships are most likely about 100 euros an hour labour.

 

In terms of the replacing the pump itself, I had a 2004 fabia and the steering pump was located on the passenger side at the front so it was easy to get into and replace, Sometimes with fitting a new pump you get a few errors and lights on the dash board that need cleared with a mechanics computer(diagnostic tool). I would imagine a good mechanic could do it around 2 hours.

Thanks very much Mick for your help.

off to collect the car tomorrow and go to independent garage.

is the car ok to drive for a while?

no lights appearing on dashboard.

just as I said slightly stiff when turning wheel especially to the right.

 

 

Unfortunately, the one failure could have led to strain on the other- the rack causing the pump to waken as it gave it a very hard end of life!

That said, unless the rack was ok and the pump was the real issue, the tenuous link, if any, is just the nature of driving and machinery!

 

I would have thought that had it been the pump to start with, there would have been no real difference in the dealer fitting the new rack. Perhaps just a slight improvement if the rack moved with less pressure needed and new fluid, to again, make the steering easier. 

 

Have you checked or had the fluid level checked?  I would assume the repairer filled this properly and checked for leaks but usually, after fitting new parts, you check fluid levels again after a short while, anyway. 

Thank you mrfg. 
I have now found a local garage who has checked the fluid level. All ok.

he is going to fit a new pump. The price has come down from €1100 to €835 to now around €450/500!

moral of this as Mick says is to keep away from dealerships!

thank you both for your help.

 

On 04/06/2020 at 21:32, carolla said:

Thank you mrfg. 
I have now found a local garage who has checked the fluid level. All ok.

he is going to fit a new pump. The price has come down from €1100 to €835 to now around €450/500!

moral of this as Mick says is to keep away from dealerships!

thank you both for your help.

 

 

Good news, Hopefully saved you bit of cash.

 

Just updating you on the steering pump saga!

The local garage have done a wonderful job and the steering is so light and easy to drive now and €600.00 cheaper than the main dealers quote!

What is interesting though was when the garage drained the steering pump fluid they were VERY surprised to see a clear fluid like water coming out.

The mechanic saved some and put it in a plastic bottle. Although the liquid is clear the sides of the bottle are covered in a whitish/grey film.

The liquid smells slightly fruity.

The garage said they had never in their experience seen steering pump fluid that colour - usually red/pink/greenish with some viscosity.

Could this have been a mistake by the Skoda garage when I had the steering rack fixed back in November?

I would be very grateful if anyone can throw any light on this liquid.

It seems very strange!

Thank you.

 

19 minutes ago, carolla said:

Just updating you on the steering pump saga!

The local garage have done a wonderful job and the steering is so light and easy to drive now and €600.00 cheaper than the main dealers quote!

What is interesting though was when the garage drained the steering pump fluid they were VERY surprised to see a clear fluid like water coming out.

The mechanic saved some and put it in a plastic bottle. Although the liquid is clear the sides of the bottle are covered in a whitish/grey film.

The liquid smells slightly fruity.

The garage said they had never in their experience seen steering pump fluid that colour - usually red/pink/greenish with some viscosity.

Could this have been a mistake by the Skoda garage when I had the steering rack fixed back in November?

I would be very grateful if anyone can throw any light on this liquid.

It seems very strange!

Thank you.

 

 

It really depends how long the last fluid was in there, Baring in mind steering fluid goes to your steering rack and back again when pumped, Over time it can end up contaminated through contact with the rack and pinion or it could simply have moisture or little source of water getting in changing the colour.

 

My bet is that been contaminated in some form of the process of fixing your steering issues, I wouldn't worry about if you've got new fluid in there.

 

Also good to hear your cars running well again!

Edited 3 July, 20205 yr by Mickmartin

Thank you for your reply Mick.

Out of curiosity should the garage when changing the steering rack not have put in new steering pump fluid at that time?

Is it poor workmanship to allow it to become contaminated? How should they avoid that happening?

Thanks Mick

Hi Carolla. I am very sure the dealership should have evacuated the old fluid and fully replaced it with new stuff. Imagine if leaving the old contaminated fluid damaged a perfectly good rack within the two year warranty... They would have to then re-fit ANOTHER new one, in order to fulfil their obligation so, no, I sincerely do not think the would have left the old fluid in, unless they were looking for trouble!

 

As for smelling fruity... Screen wash often smells fruity and is often clear. Make of that what you will!

 

I think Skoda (VW) steering fluid is usually green.

 

EDIT... Following on from that, i just read a post a few down on the fabia site and someone else had steering issues. It turned out they had water inside the pump/rack or something so perhaps yours was a combo of fluid and water. (Technically called gunk)! 

I still think the fitter of the rack should have changed the complete fluid and tested for leaks but if the pump failed AFTER the event, thats life. 

Edited 3 July, 20205 yr by mrgf

Thank you for your reply mrfg.

Yes I think that is my concern ie when they fitted the rack the mechanic should have changed the complete fluid and tested for leaks!

It does seem they didn't. If they had change the complete fluid then maybe the steering pump would not have failed? Or is this not the case?