Shop Mini Tie Rods

We have a 2000 Dodge Carevan, 116,000 Mi, the power steering fluid keeps leaking out somewhere, we go to refill it, and within a week it's bone dry again. Over the last few months it has starting making a sound all the time when you turn the wheel, while turning the corner while driving, or even going really slow, and turning the wheel, the sound, sounds like an old door creeking open, somewhat. We never see a puddle of anything, so where is it going and how can we fix it.

Is fluid full? If not it's going somewhere. Rack and pinions seem to be common on these. It may hold some fluid in bellows of inner tie rod ends for a while without showing up as a drip,

T

Year of vehicle: 2002
Make of vehicle: BMW Mini Cooper (Auto)
Model of vehicle: Hatchback
Engine size: 1.6 (Petrol)
Mileage/Kilometers: 37k

Hi,

My Mini 2002 has a slight niggling problem in that the steering wheel sits slightly misaligned at about 11.55, as opposed to 12.00 o'clock.

BMW told me that the steering wheel may need to be repositioned and quoted me something like £250.

I have since spoken to independent mechanics/garages and I've got the following responses:

"Could be one of a number of different issues, such as a bent tie rod, wishbone, tracking or incorrect fitting of steering wheel following an incident etc"

And the other is from a garage with dedicated laser alignment bays and they said:
"Should be £29.37 including vat, unless it needs anything more major then you could be looking at £29.37 per camber or caster adjustment."

My question is, what is my worst case scenario? I want to have knowledge of the possible problems that it could be, before walking into a mechanics, blindfolded and potentially getting conned.

Help appreciated, thanks!

Nick

I'm just curious if the car has hit something or been in a wreck? As Tom & Z pointed out the suspension does need to be checked 1st and any competent shop will do that.

If nothing has happened to the car and this just started on it's own, one thing did come to mind.

You mentioned "niggling". I'm not sure what you meant exactly but we'll see if this fits. When a tire gets a slight seperation a few things can go on. One, when driving at slow speeds the steering wheel will "rock" back & forth and usually won't be as noticeable at higher speeds. Also you can get a slight pull to one direction or the other. What happens is, while you're driving down the road you have to "cock" the steering wheel to the opposite side to compensate for the pull to make the car go straight..That could account for the wheel being off, if not it could be recentered during the alignment.

We can't see the car online so what the shop tells you is the problem would override this advise. While there are a few bad apples out there like anything in life, in the automotive world, the majority of the shops are honest & hard working.
Knowledge of systems isn't required to get your car repaired. It's not a bad idea because then what they are telling will make more sense.

You have to bring it in for a 4 wheel alignment $250 seems high. When they do alignment they will check front end. More then likely you've hit something.

zmame - £250 = Pounds! Last look a while ago that's about 1.5xUS Dollar!

Nick - a slight bit off is still wrong. If nobody has removed steering wheel or steering parts then first check you tires and pressure.

Different tires on front could do that easily.

Basic alignment should include "centering" the wheel on level road. On highly pitched roads any cars would require some adjustment.

If front end parts are all in order, car sits equally level left to right they wheel should be 12 O'clock on level road.

Doesn't take much to throw that off that little. Even just one person vs two equally in vehicle can make that small amount especially in a small car,

T

hi there

I hve a Ford ikon and my problem is that i can
turn my stearing wheel 1 3/4 on the left and
1 1/4 on the right... i.e more on right and i
seriously got it noticed wen i was taking my
car out frm a parking lot and a strange voice
came in... and i think it was like my right front
tyre's inner side was rubbing against the fender
splash sheild.im worried... is this gonna screw
my pocket??!!what exactly is this...plz help me..

Sorry about abr's --- ya - the abreviations or acronyms. TRE means Tie Rod End - sorry for not spelling it out.

Now! When a steering wheel, column, pitman arm are involved they MUST be indexed back to exactly the correct spot. Column would have a rubber or something damper/isolator thing (nice description for lack of proper word) that no doubt can be installed off by 90 or 180 degrees which you are experiencing. There are also mini U-joints in steering shaft/columns to box or rack if that type. Most pitman arms are not a wearing part so I don't remove too many but they too could be installed wrong - would hope they are indexed with larger tooth for one spot only but forget.

Quite simply this needs to go back for a full alignment with all the history so everything can be put in order. Check out the steering wheel vibration problem and time to fix it now if it's a safety issue - it might be. Just by chance I haven't had a column's u-joints, bushings, or that rubber thing need replacement and there are other methods to dampen road feel in shafts different car by car - again just no experience from me as none have been an issue.

You don't have the bazillion $$ alignment machine nor do I so this must go out to any good alignment tech WITH all this info so they know and don't just miss this which would be possible without knowing this history.

Good luck with the fix,

T