Steering shaft snapped! - Benzworld.org

DominicArnold · 10-16-2006, 02:28 PM

I dropped off my 99 E320 to have an alignment done and they where pulling car out to take it for a road test and steering shaft snaps. Is there anyway that Mercedes would cover somethng like that? I have 112K on car; there could have been a death today if it happened on open road. Anone know of a number that I can call Mercedes to request for them to pick up cost?

Thanks

Dominic

lkchris · 10-16-2006, 02:36 PM

1. If you were having alignment done at dealer it would be covered.

2. If you were having alignment done at dealer it wouldn't have happened.

ALWAYS have alignment done by dealer.

NO manufacturer will cover you or an independent repairman breaking your car.

Lesson this time: It would have been cheaper to have alignment done by dealer.

DominicArnold · 10-16-2006, 02:43 PM

I did drop off car at dealer to have alignment done; they said Mercedes probably wouldnt cover it seeing 112K miles.

Mark Cummins · 10-16-2006, 03:07 PM

Sounds like the shop that did the alignment messed up

Did they Install the correct tool to center the steering rack to preform the alignment?

I Have NEVER seen nor heard of a steering shaft (SNAP) are you sure re this?
Not a steering shaft coupler?

**JOE55** · 10-16-2006, 03:25 PM

sorry to hear about your steering, like what mark said"I Have NEVER seen nor heard of a steering shaft (SNAP) are you sure re this?
Not a steering shaft coupler?" Have the shop fix it for you for free or have them pay for it.

lkchris · 10-16-2006, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DominicArnold

I did drop off car at dealer to have alignment done; they said Mercedes probably wouldnt cover it seeing 112K miles.

No, Mercedes probably won't.

But they should--it was their mistake.

May want independent look to verify no prior damage.

DominicArnold · 10-16-2006, 03:37 PM

Mercedes had to place a Caster/Camber kit or bolt on passenger side; service manager said he never seen a steering column snap like that; prelim cost to fix is around $1K. I'm glad that it snapped in shop when they where pulling it out instead on freeway.... It could have been a very bad day.

lkchris · 10-16-2006, 03:52 PM

You seem to imply it was ready to snap.

Why are you not sure that bad shop practice broke it?

It's not a normal occurrence, for sure.

OBX884 · 10-16-2006, 04:06 PM

I would raise hell at the dealership--- it's likely the service dept's fault in some way and not a flaw with the car...