My steering problems possibly resolved for $30!

[rancid_b]

Thanks to the info on this forum, a rare "good" mechanic, and my service & repair manual, I think I have just resolved a steering problem in my car that took 5 mechanics, 2 years and around a grand to properly diagnose.

In the last 2 years, I have gone through a reco power steering pump, a new power steering pump, new power steering high pressure hoses, new boots for my power steering rack and was told to get a new power steering rack (too which I said screw that, my ps fluid levels are fine and its not even leaking!). I spent approximately a grand on parts and labour, and if I had've taken midas' advice, I would have spent another 500+ for the new/reco rack. But then I saw on here that the drive belt was a major culprit for a lack of power in the steering. I spoke to a different mechanic, gave him a list of my other problems (AC gets weaker over time, power steering gets weaker as the car warms up, battery has gone flat a few times possibly due to the alternator not recharging the battery properly, radiator blew a year or so ago) and he agreed, almost certainly the drive belt. I used some belt gripper spray stuff my father in law had lying around to see if it made a difference, and sure enough my steering and AC was suddenly dramatically improved. Just going to replace the actual belt now...if it fixes the steering I'll be stoked, but also fuming at the other mechanics who took me for a ride! The car is regularly serviced and I have explained exactly what is wrong with my steering and all the other problems to each of the other 4 mechanics and NONE of them bothered to change the drive belt. Such a simple fix, probably the first one you would try, and yet they all took the more expensive option. Its downright unethical.

[Vee-ard]

even though im not a mechanic, or even close to being one, with all those other symptoms it should have been obvious that it wasnt just the PS pump. Too many mechanics just dont care enough to investigate further, its probably not that all of them just had dollar signs in their eyes, I dont think the care factor is there for most of them.

its good when fixes are cheap, but not when you've spend hundreds to find it was cheap in the first place.

[VrWagz1]

Good one, that sounds criminal what its cost you over time for the simple fact of a drive belt being worn and slipping. Good on you and i'd give your mech a ring to tell him what it was.

[rancid_b]

Good one, that sounds criminal what its cost you over time for the simple fact of a drive belt being worn and slipping. Good on you and i'd give your mech a ring to tell him what it was.

It is definitely unethical...not much I can do about it because they will just say that the saw leaks in the pumps/hoses and they needed to replaced regardless.

But FFS I pretty much figured it out on my own and I knew nothing about cars until the last few months where I decided to start fixing stuff myself. Its not like I went to dodgy places either, 2 different mechanics at the same midas + a commodore specialist + a fairly well known shop in south yarra...

I'm a cynic, so to me this feels like they all had $$$ in their eyes.

[greenacc]

if you think midas employ mechanics ....
you would be much better off doing it yourself.than going to midas.

[danja]

Sadly there isn't really any consumer protection against this kind of thing. As long as the work they did do was done properly, there usually isn't a whole lot you can do about it.

It's a fine and fuzzy line where incompetence stops, and something more sinister starts.

[rancid_b]

Sadly there isn't really any consumer protection against this kind of thing. As long as the work they did do was done properly, there usually isn't a whole lot you can do about it.

It's a fine and fuzzy line where incompetence stops, and something more sinister starts.

Completely agree. I'm currently studying law and its amazing the lack of regulation in certain industries (the law industry itself being one). But you would think that an industry which affects everyone, multiple times a year, such as the motor industry, would be somewhat more rigorously regulated. When you see a guy running a shitty little panel shop out at whoop whoop driving a brand spanking new merc and wearing a bloody armani suit, a guy who probably gets his apprentices to do all his work so they take twice as long but he can charge just as much, it just makes you a bit sick.

I've always thought there needs to be a mechanics/panel beaters review system on here. Anyone whos been over to the whirlpool technology forums knows what I mean...every half decent computer shop in Oz has a rating...its a great function, rewards good, honest shops and names and shames the bad ones. Furthermore, it stops all the threads titled "does anyone know a good panel beater/mechanic/tyre shop near x"

[hako]

It seems very strange that the belt did not squeal when slipping - also did you or the mechanics check the belt wear indicator on the tensioner?