Help with diagnosing suspension fault
Discussion
Hi
Any help would be appreciated seeing that I have been round in circles for months.
I drove over a small island after flashing the head lights to let someone out. Him hesitating for ages meant that a car ended up coming straight towards me. To dodge this I had to accelerate over a small curbed divide between the entrance to a supermarket. Technically my fault for even trying to be nice. I must have went 30mph over it at a guess.
I have been driving for 18 years and never once had a accident or claim before so I do not need reminding how stupid it was.
It is a 2020 Toyota Rav 5 Hybrid and I have only had it for the last 6 months.... so trading in the car is out the question.
I have since had it into Drivers Auto Centre, Kwik fit, National, 2 mobile mechanics and a small other tire shop.
All shocks have been replaced, both whole strut units at the front, 2 new tires on the front and all wheels balanced and alignment done. Alignment was re checked at other places and now within spec.
All mechanics and garages have said they cannot see anything other than one saying it was a bent rim. The rims were all checked over and balanced and said to look fine. People do not want the bother.
The cars steering feels heavier.
It pulls slightly to the left.
I can feel the road through the seat of the car.
When turning hard right the steering is not as easy to turn.
It has already cost me over £1000 and I obviously want it fixed... but cant afford to keep chucking parts at it.
I plan to try changing the spare wheel with each tire to try rule out it being a bent rim this weekend.
I will try seeing if each wheel has any play in it when jacked up. But this has already been done at the various places.
It has not been to Toyota yet due to the fear of them charging £120 a hour labor. Although this will be a last resort.
The car is also a pcp deal so claiming on the insurance would cause a lot of pain with regards to the final value upon trading it in with a category on the car. Also with car insurance going through the roof and my renewal due in a few months.
Any I already said any help would be appreciated thank you.
Any help would be appreciated seeing that I have been round in circles for months.
I drove over a small island after flashing the head lights to let someone out. Him hesitating for ages meant that a car ended up coming straight towards me. To dodge this I had to accelerate over a small curbed divide between the entrance to a supermarket. Technically my fault for even trying to be nice. I must have went 30mph over it at a guess.
I have been driving for 18 years and never once had a accident or claim before so I do not need reminding how stupid it was.
It is a 2020 Toyota Rav 5 Hybrid and I have only had it for the last 6 months.... so trading in the car is out the question.
I have since had it into Drivers Auto Centre, Kwik fit, National, 2 mobile mechanics and a small other tire shop.
All shocks have been replaced, both whole strut units at the front, 2 new tires on the front and all wheels balanced and alignment done. Alignment was re checked at other places and now within spec.
All mechanics and garages have said they cannot see anything other than one saying it was a bent rim. The rims were all checked over and balanced and said to look fine. People do not want the bother.
The cars steering feels heavier.
It pulls slightly to the left.
I can feel the road through the seat of the car.
When turning hard right the steering is not as easy to turn.
It has already cost me over £1000 and I obviously want it fixed... but cant afford to keep chucking parts at it.
I plan to try changing the spare wheel with each tire to try rule out it being a bent rim this weekend.
I will try seeing if each wheel has any play in it when jacked up. But this has already been done at the various places.
It has not been to Toyota yet due to the fear of them charging £120 a hour labor. Although this will be a last resort.
The car is also a pcp deal so claiming on the insurance would cause a lot of pain with regards to the final value upon trading it in with a category on the car. Also with car insurance going through the roof and my renewal due in a few months.
Any I already said any help would be appreciated thank you.
Edited by Cookatron87 on Friday 15th March 08:11
Unfortunately, I can't tell you what it is, but you have definitely bent something from your description.
It won't be a wheel unless there is a shake when at a certain speed/when braking.
What you need to do is to stop taking it to "tyre-monkeys" and take it to a proper garage that will diagnose it properly, it doesn't need to be a main dealer, in fact it may be better not to.
It won't be a wheel unless there is a shake when at a certain speed/when braking.
What you need to do is to stop taking it to "tyre-monkeys" and take it to a proper garage that will diagnose it properly, it doesn't need to be a main dealer, in fact it may be better not to.
It sounds like you're spending money time and time over with the wrong sort of people, letting them throw parts at it rather than going to a pro who knows cars inside-out (rather than just tyres).
To my mind, you've damaged the steering rack, possibly the actual rack (toothed bar) inside the housing; it's not immediately obvious by simply looking at it. By how much was the alignment out... do you have the 'before & after' print-out? With the front wheels safely lifted, is there any difference in the effort required to turn from centered to full-lock left and to full-lock right? Does either way feel or sound different? Try this from both the steering wheel and from each front wheel in turn, ignition off so that you are sensing the actual effort.
To my mind, you've damaged the steering rack, possibly the actual rack (toothed bar) inside the housing; it's not immediately obvious by simply looking at it. By how much was the alignment out... do you have the 'before & after' print-out? With the front wheels safely lifted, is there any difference in the effort required to turn from centered to full-lock left and to full-lock right? Does either way feel or sound different? Try this from both the steering wheel and from each front wheel in turn, ignition off so that you are sensing the actual effort.
Twinkam, thus is good advice. However the OP has been to Kwikfit and others. This would suggest a lack of mechanical knowledge or desire to get hands dirty. This is not a dig at the OP, just my take.
I would therefore suggest that their ability to raise the front of the car so that both wheels are safely off the ground is beyond them. And even if they had access to axle stands, etc, wouldn't know what felt right or wrong.
I would therefore suggest that their ability to raise the front of the car so that both wheels are safely off the ground is beyond them. And even if they had access to axle stands, etc, wouldn't know what felt right or wrong.
I too would be looking at the steering rack or finding a good recommended independent to look on your behalf. Earlier post about checking with wheels in the air sounds sensible.
I can’t imagine you would have done catastrophic damage to a mild off-road car but it’s clearly not right at the moment.
The fact that it affects the steering but all other parameters are within tolerance could be good news. A new rack may be expensive but if it cures the problem then it’s fixed.
I wonder whether a Toyota dealer would look at it for free?
I can’t imagine you would have done catastrophic damage to a mild off-road car but it’s clearly not right at the moment.
The fact that it affects the steering but all other parameters are within tolerance could be good news. A new rack may be expensive but if it cures the problem then it’s fixed.
I wonder whether a Toyota dealer would look at it for free?
Edited by Simon_GH on Friday 15th March 09:32
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