Post accident Mechanical Issues

[cowboysgottacummins]

Got Rear ended in November by a guy in a BMW doing 50. impact pushed me into vehicle in front so I took it in both ends. Just got the truck back after 7 weeks in the shop. Shop replaced the A/C condenser/intercooler as well as major body work. $12k worth.



Having a brake/steering issue. I am noticing a vibration in steering and brake pedal on decel, pressure seems to build on the pedal. Limited turn (feels like loss of power steering) when braking on left turn. Brake application seems to affect RPM if at idle/stopped. Engine sounds like its building pressure on the brake/Steering when sitting at stop light. While stopped if brake is applied left turn of steering wheel feels locked until let of brake, same on right turn but worst on left for some reason.



I am thinking that the ramming of the pedal to the floor on collision has damaged the hydro-boost? THoughts? I have no confidence in the insurance shop that did the work. when I picked up the truck it wouldn't go because they had 3 loose boost tube connections from intercooler replacement. They said I had a "loose belt" that's how they explained the loss of boost from loose connections. a loose belt. Also have two nearly dead batteries. Check engine light shows low voltage. They are due and sitting in the cold for 7 weeks pending repair likely did them in.



THoughts on steering/brake issue?

 

[Bob4x4]

Contact the insurance company they should reopen the claim for a supplemental

 

[cowboysgottacummins]

Contact the insurance company they should reopen the claim for a supplemental

They want me to take it back to the original shop. They couldn't diagnose their way out of a wet paper bag. Tried to tell me the turbo was whistling because of my tuner and that I needed to "recalibrate it" Rather than the whistle coming from one of the three loose boost tubes. Then it was because of a loose belt? My turbo isn't connected to a belt I tell the guy, he says, "really?" I thought those were belt driven, (scratches head)

 

[GHarman]

Tell the insurance adjuster that this shop is not qualified to do the necessary repairs!

Have them recalculate the bottom line for the repair shop. Spell out the issues and lack of the qualifications of the shop. Demand a different repair shop.

My truck sat for Months while waiting on repairs after an accident in 1995. When I finally got it back, the front end had not been touched, but the interior was "spit shined"!

This was at the dealer!!!! I complained to the adjuster and he did the recalculation (got a refund from the dealer, Man they hate that) I took it to an alignment shop that rebuilt the front end, straightened the frame and did an alignment. The tire wear was better than when it was new, after that rebuild and alignment!

Hope you get satisfaction!

GregH

 

[Motorhead]

First, I am sorry that your truck was damaged by a "Bone head in a Beemer" I, like Bob4x4 and GHarman agree to go to the insurance adjuster and INSIST that they re-open the claim and that the truck is taken to a FRONT END AND BRAKE SHOP and NOT let the body shop do any other "Mechanical" work on your truck. In the 45 years I have worked on cars and trucks, I have seen MANY more times than not where a "BODY" guy didn't know his butt from a hot rock about mechanical things AND electrical. I have seen wire nuts used to re-splice wiring on an old MG and you said it about them not knowing how your turbo worked. GEE, WHAT ELSE DID THEY LEAVE LOOSE besides your boost hoses????
Tell the insurance company "My back is beginning to hurt" due to all the stress this has put you through.
"MY $0. 02"

 

[cowboysgottacummins]

So insurance allowed the truck to go to the dealership. This experience was worse than the first. They had the truck 14 days gave me 3 different diagnoses, only to conclude after ordering parts 7 days in that there was nothing wrong with it.

Steering/brake issue is still present. brakes applied while stopped or low rolling speed only able to steer a quarter turn either direction unless you let off the brake. Sluggish, sloppy steering, vibration in steering system which is felt through the brakes as well. . The first diagnosis took 5 day and it was can you come drive it and show us what you mean. I did they confirmed something was wrong. two more days the diagnosis was the power steering hoses are clogged which are a "known" 3/4 & 1ton issue apparently. Just needed new hoses because "they have screens that get clogged". $835 installed. I told them to replace and the insurance agreed to reimburse me. However 6 days later no truck. So they finally called to say the lines may or may not fix it because there could be a piece of the line floating around in the system and wanted to caution me there was only a 50/50 chance the lines would fix the problem. I said fine do it and we will go from there. 2 more days no progress, they said they had decided there was nothing wrong with the truck and that the condition is normal according to chrysler and "Star". Did I want them to install the lines or not? Since they are a "known issue" and since you were supposed to install them a week ago yes.

14 days and $560 in rental bills later So they gave me the bill for the repair and printed on it, no problem system normal customer insisted on replacing lines, work unnecessary. That is the receipt i get to give the insurance company for reimbursement. They all think I am crazy, I am starting to wonder myself.

I am convinced the steering gear or hydro-boost has some issue. I have owned the truck for two years put 26,000 miles on it and know that it didn't do any of this before. So if normal it is news to me.

They did diagnose the vibration issue as the exhaust rubbing the frame because the hangers are bent. Also the downpipe is bent slightly just before ascending to the turbo. The original shop has agreed to pay for a new exhaust.
Waiting on the parts to be ordered. I am not convinced that this is the cause as the brake/steering vibration is connected to this "exhaust" vibration meaning while the brakes are applied the vibration changes with the movement of the steering wheel. So not sure how the exhaust is connected.

Don't know where to go from here. Knowing that there is a long history of steering gear failure and the consequences of hydro-boost failure I am not convinced there is no issue. I would like to find someone competent to examine the truck. That is clearly not the dealership.

 

[Adubya]

I had the same problem with mine and replaced the steering box and power steering pump and that fixed the issue. The brakes and power steering are all run off of the power steering pump. Make sure they get you the right steering box. The bonehead that I bought my 03 from managed to fit a box off of a Non-HD truck on there (That was a mess trying to find parts for) Not sure how he did it, but after i replaced everything my brakes and steering worked like new.

 

[JJPage]

Since the dealer claims all is normal, trade it in to them for top value... not what you want to hear, but may be the best way to remove yourself from this grief.