got my car from the garage but now it drags left

Doff

Following on from Here.

The problem was the pressure pad on the clutch which cost 320 euro to get fixed. When the mechanic was telling me why it was so expensive he stated they had to take a few bits apart in order to put in this part. Since I got it back the steering wheel was a bit mis-aligned to the right but I never took much notice. Recently the car has been dragging left and I noticed the steering wheel is turning more to the right when I'm going straight. Yesterday was the peak of it though, It done a left bend completely on its own. I tested it on my way home along a long left bend, there was no other cars on the road at the time and I went slow just to be careful. Then once I got to the roundabout near my house I was turning right and it made an almighty screech. I haven't been able to get it to a garage because of college and having to mind my kid on the weekend. I don't bring him in the car because I'm still relatively new to driving.

So I know I have to bring it to the garage today, I'm just looking for advice on this. I have no way of proving it was there fault but it only started happening after I got it from them and the things he said were a bit coincidental. I couldn't have done it myself because the only roads I drive along have no potholes or anything, I literally just drive to soccer and college, both places just off of main roads with no potholes or anything that could cause it. Does anyone know if I am entitled to a free repair or anything?

Doff

An update on this. I rang the garage about bringing my car in and explained what was wrong with it, he told me it would be grand and I can drop it in tomorrow. Then when I told him that the problem started happening after I got it back from them he changed his story, said they can't fix that problem it has to be taken to a different place and they'll fix it for about 60 euro.

What can I do about this?

El Guapo!

Just drop the car back down to the original garage and ask them to have a look. Its possible that they damaged a track rod while doing the clutch. Or the may have just left something loose or put back on incorrectly. Either way if its only happening since you left the car in with them, then they should have a look at it for you.

Plug

I'd say they had to drop the subframe to remove the gearbox. The subframe will never go back spot on the way it came off unless they have special tools. Most of the time I'd have to track a car after the subframe is after being removed even after using the special tools. Thats what that €60 charge is, its for four wheel alignment. Not the end of the world. Whats the car?

sean1141

Plug wrote: »

I'd say they had to drop the subframe to remove the gearbox. The subframe will never go back spot on the way it came off unless they have special tools. Most of the time I'd have to track a car after the subframe is after being removed even after using the special tools. Thats what that €60 charge is, its for four wheel alignment. Not the end of the world. Whats the car?

true! a lot of mechanics wont have the setup to do this. it would be more of a tyre place job. just take it to your local tyre center and they will do it in about half an hour.

I'm really sorry to hijack, but my car has started to veer left as well - all on its own.
Is it likely it could just need a 60 euro alignment as well? It's not too badly changing direction but I was worried about the possible bill...

Chimaera

Bluewolf: if it's started doing it out of the blue, it may be more than just an alignment needed.

First thing, when's the last time you checked your tyre pressures? A significant difference in pressures left to right can cause a car to pull to the side.

Has there been any work done on the car recently that would have necessitated removing suspension components? Hit any kerbs/potholes/speedbumps a bit too hard?

If the car has a lot of km up, it might be worn balljoints/bushings.

In any case, an alignment check at a tyre centre is probably no harm. It's not going to cost a lot and they'll tell you if anything more serious is wrong (if they're any good).

Chimaera

Chimaera wrote: »

Bluewolf: if it's started doing it out of the blue, it may be more than just an alignment needed.

First thing, when's the last time you checked your tyre pressures? A significant difference in pressures left to right can cause a car to pull to the side.

First thing I checked was the pressures, I check them reg enough and they were fine.

Has there been any work done on the car recently that would have necessitated removing suspension components? Hit any kerbs/potholes/speedbumps a bit too hard?

If the car has a lot of km up, it might be worn balljoints/bushings.

In any case, an alignment check at a tyre centre is probably no harm. It's not going to cost a lot and they'll tell you if anything more serious is wrong (if they're any good).

Nope. What happened was I was turning around a very large roundabout (the kilcock one off the motorway), the steering wheel jerked as I was turning, and after that it's been dragging. I wasn't taking it sharply, I didn't hit anything, it was just as I was turning.
I'll bring it down to the place then and see...!