[paul ette]

sold my old van got a trafic and had a brand new system installed over xmas, took to garage to get track rod end done and a check over ready for work tomoz.
unfortunately its the rack thats knackered, theres a lot of knocking noises coming from it.

anyone know if it would be safe to use for work as cant get in garage until next week and just had 2 weeks off

my worry is the driving with the weight in back, 500 litres of water and kit cant be safe can it

[Ian101]

did u ask mechanic his professional opinion ?

[Dave Willis]

Going to scrub your tyres out at least I would have thought. Renault steering rack won't be cheap. 

[supernova77]

We had a bad steering rack on our Volvo car about 6 months ago... My wife was driving it, turned left at a roundabout and the steering locked up... Not good!   Fortunately she was able to pull up onto the curb - but imagine if it had happened going round a bend on a fast road or something!

Andy

[jimiwindows]

my steering rack whent when i was on full lock doing 3 point turn. new one £600

[dazmond]

i wouldnt risk it paul.you could do even more damage to your van.

[paul ette]

my worry is the weight must put pressure on rack, the mechanic ummd and arrrd about it but dont think i mentioned about the weight i carry.
been quoted just over 300 inc labour, think rack might be reconditioned as seems cheap, just peed off , new system all ready to use now gonna have more time off

[Johnny B]

Years ago, I had a Mini (which I had owned from new). One year it failed its MOT on excessive play in the steering column bushes. I took it to a local Mini specialist, so I entrusted him with the job of fixing it.

When I got it back, the steering was very stiff, and would not self-centre. I took it back, and the business owner told me it was normal unmtil the bushes had bedded in. I said it wasn't, and it certainly didn't feel that way when it was new.

He wouldn't have it, so I drove it away, to another Mini specialist whom I had used and only stopped using because I no longer lived near his premises. On his forecourt, the steering failed completely!

Back to the OP, I would say don't drive it, but hope you can get it sorted and be back in business very soon.

John

 

[paul ette]

bought van a week ago with new mot, got a good mind to get em investigated , surely would of failed mot, not even an advisory

[mufcglen]

I wouldn't worrysbout the weight mate I'd worry more about the van turning, are you sure it's not just a drop link, top mount,broken spring or worn rubber bush somewhere?
You'd be better asking the guy at the garage who's diagnosed it as steering rack gone than on here pal, personally with anything steering or braking issue I'd suggest not really driving it as some have said the steering could go all together, is it worth it?

[paul ette]

garage test drove it had a look and said track rod end, quoted 60quid,  they got on ramps and looked properly 100 percent rack, will see if i can get in another garage sooner, everyone just seems busy after new year holidays , its the week off thats the pain

[andi wilson]

Try Nick at NTM Quedgeley..

[paul ette]

local are u?

[the king]

just red that a recon steering rack is £120 exchange on e.bay so u send ur old one bk they send u a fixed recon 1 seems a cheeper rout to take thats if it is the rack

[Ian101]

bought van a week ago with new mot, got a good mind to get em investigated , surely would of failed mot, not even an advisory

did u buy van from a motor trader .. garage / dealership / one man band from home / anything other than private ?

if you did then take it back to them to sort out ... legally they are obliged to fix it unless they can prove fault wasn't there when they sold it to you (first 6 months anti lemon law for want of better description) if they don't co operate you have right of rejection of course but you must give them opportunity to fix it - all the above applies but you have to take into account price paid and miles .. if £1000 knacker with spaceship miles then you get what you pay for in eyes of law

if decent garage then one phone call should have them happy to sort out so don't go all guns blazing on first visit call 

more advice from trading standards or forum on CAG consumer action group

if you really want to create or need to create trouble then VOSA (mot people) is a definite way to go ... rack shouldn't go within a week ... possible but unlikely ... only needs to be working ok on day of test

[paul ette]

bought from an electrician business called ube, guy offered to lend me a van which was kind, no good when youve just had a system bolted in lol