Calling those who had the steering rack replaced

[mcube3]

Hi all,I brought my car to the dealership today and they've ordered me a rack and pinion gear assembly from Japan and will take a coupel of weeks. They said they need to perform a 4 wheel alignment afterwards (which make sense). But they said they can only cover the cost of the front alignment and I have to pay for the rear alignment. Shouldn't the 4 wheel alignment be covered under the whole warranty? Did those who had this replaced paid for your rear alignment?

[SteveTheTech]

Great thread I am glad you brought this up. I am really interested to see everyones reception to this and the differing service experiences.

I did one of these yesterday on an M35x and have an EX waiting for me at work tomorrow. The first one went smooth I took my time and it only took about 3/4hr, I assume after another hundred of so they will be done in 15 minutes. But I like to make sure as much power steering fluid is drained as possible. Lining the steering shaft is a PITA even though there are mating marks on the rack the splines are so tight and not indexed allowing a slight variance that requires a full 4 wheel alignment.

I have not heard of anyone doing a front end alignment in years...that really takes me back. The EX and all modern Infinitis should not ever be front wheel aligned. That being said the policies at Infiniti Canada may be slightly different. I know that from my experience Infiniti allows a certain amount for the cost of the alignment. I think that would require a call to either the service manager if not CA. You cannot upsell on warranty work.

[mcube3]

They actually didn't give me the option of front wheel alignment. They said they need to do a 4 wheel alignment but will give me a discount as the warranty only covers the front. If this involve improper up-selling then I'll sure have a word with the service manager, and or their head office in Canada.

[dividedhighw]

I'm in Ottawa and had my steering gear & gear assembly replaced to address the "noise & vibration on right turns" problem; no alignment work shows on the invoice and I didn't pay a penny.

Edit: One more thought - if addressing a warranty-covered aspect necessitates ancilliary work, parts, adjustments, etc, they should ABSOLUTELY be done at no cost to you!! Otherwise, you should definitely call "foul"!!

HTH,David

[kamiguy]

Same thing for me.. had it replaced, and no charge for anything.

[BrokenTiller]

Mine replaced yesterday at Downtown Infiniti (Toronto). No charge and good service.

[cjre1]

I just got my car back from the dealer service and the manager told me that I do not need a steering rack, since mine is operating perfectly.

He did tell me that the ones that are suspect are for the AWD drive manily shipped to Canada. Those cars where built in another plant, vs where the United States Ex's where built. He also stated to me that the parts for these two region cars where made in a different factories through out Japan with different parts used.

He can tell by the steering rack parts numbers.

I wanted to verify this, so I called my rep at CA and he said just about the same thing. I did not even mention what the manager told me, so either that both have a good story, or in fact they are right.

[fleiscd]

I had the rack installed a few days ago and I don't know if it was a 2 or 4 wheel alignment. I wasn't charged for anything.

This is what it said on the Invoice.

PERFORM 09-030, REPLACE ST RACK/SET ALIGNMENT & ST ANGLE ADJMisc-Steering System - K0001

PartsGEAR & LINKAGE - 49001-1BA3APOWER STEERING FLUID

ALSO...has anybody noticed a HUGE difference in their steering since getting the rack replaced?

The steering in my EX is NIGHT AND DAY different. The steering wheel feels, "heavy" now when I turn. It feels more like the steering in the G35, which is nice.

The steering in my EX before the rack was replaced was "soft". I'd noted this in other posts. Now when I steer I can feel resistance and firmness when I go around turns. Pre-rack replacement turning the wheel to go around a corner could be done with one finger, now I have to grip the wheel with my hand. I'm not saying it's bad...just saying the difference from pre-rack replacement to post is amazing.

This is sort of a "double-post", sorry about that. But as this thread is for people who've had the rack replaced I'm asking the question here too as well as in the "big" steering vibration thread.
Modified by fleiscd at 8:59 AM 6/20/2009

[dividedhighw]

Hey Brokentiller ...

Can you post the part numbers and line items shown on your invoice? I'm interested in whether or not an alignment was done and exactly which parts were replaced, and with what part numbers.

Thanks!David

[aft981]

Hmm

I just pulled my invoice out, I did have a 4 wheel alignment done, and I was charged for it ($129).

However, when it was in the shop, it was there for a number of reasons. I had new tires, bearings (front left) and the steering rack replacement. One of my complaints had been that it was feeling a little skittish on the road, not holding true, so they recommended an alignment. I had a million things going on then, so I didn't really think everything through and just agreed to get him off the phone.

[cjre1]

Fleiscd,

Do you have an AWD?

----------

Does everyone have an AWD car that had their steering rack replaced?

If not, who has a RWD car that acutally had their steering rack replaced?

[mcube3]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I'll be calling Infiniti Canada (Head Office) and keep you guys posted on this.

SteveTheTech: Have you ever considered working at my local dealership?

[rontek]

With my replacement they only adjusted the 'Toe". (Which I assumed was Front ONLY) I though that was kind of odd, but I had just had a full alignment done when I put on my summer rims and tires, so i did not make a big deal of it.

[cjre1]

This sounds good. Let me know what CA say's. I think we should start a CA thread for all CA calls, so we don't cloud these threads. Just a thought.

Good luck man and let me know. I know an awesome CA rep that can help if you have an issue.

[fleiscd]

I have AWD...I believe if it's an EX Journey it has AWD, without the "Journey" it's RWD.

[cjre1]

Thanks,Are you sure about that? I have a RWD and it is called a Journey.

There are two models. Base and Journey, a Journey comes in either AWD or RWD. This is my understanding of the models listed by Edmunds. You get a Sunroof and leather seats with a Journey.

[mcube3]

Here we go again. Sorry about the delay in updating this as I was so busy running around doing stuff

I've got a message from the dealership today and they said the part is here and ready for my appointment. I haven't call them back to arrange it yet but I've called the head office instead. The lady on the phone sound kinda lack of knowledge and just read the warranty page from the owner's manual back to me. She then asked me to call the dealership and speak to the service manager.

I guess that's what I'll be doing next and see what happens.

And to those who are more experienced than me......What will happen if I only perform a front wheel alignment on a AWD vehicle?

[SteveTheTech]

SteveTheTech: Have you ever considered working at my local dealership?

I'm all for moving to the Great White North...The dear wife on the other hand is not such a fan of the cold. Have you thought of giving up your National Healthcare for better auto service? VA is pretty warm

Performing a 2wheel alignment will not factor in the Thrust Angle (the imaginary center line) and will not give an accurate assessment of the status of the front wheels. Maybe the rules are different in Canada, eh. I didn't think a front end alignment was even performed anymore. The FM platform doesn't have much forgiveness for slop or inconsistency. Currently our alignment rack has an off center head on the Left Front sensor and the ripple effect of uneven steering wheels and in effective alignments. It's going to be another week before we can get ours fixed, but that's more of a shop politics issue.

It may actually be easier for you to purchase a 4 wheel alignment and just put an end to this. If that is unacceptable to you fight it out with them.

The RWD are sent to warm climates with the same options as the AWD (Journey, base, ect) I have yet to see a RWD in my bay but as with the G35 they are pretty much the same just a little lighter.

With my replacement they only adjusted the 'Toe". (Which I assumed was Front ONLY) I though that was kind of odd, but I had just had a full alignment done when I put on my summer rims and tires, so i did not make a big deal of it.

Toe in the front is the only adjustable angle, the rear allows for camber (~1 degree -/+) and toe setting. If the front camber is out something is bent and requires a little more attention.