S40 (New) General : - Damaged steering rack

stebc · Oct 12th, 2019, 18:34

Good evening,
First post so hope this is correct place. I am looking for some advice after my better half got hit by another vehicle. She was hit from the side , on the drivers side front wheel. The car was repaired at a BMW garage and had various bits replaced, including steering knuckle, shock absorber, control arm and wheel hub. This took about 6 weeks!! Anyway, approx 2 weeks later, we took it for MOT and it failed with a major on the steering rack. The AA insurance are trying to say it was ok after repair, even though it was side impact around the area now damaged. My mechanic thinks it is likely that the collision has caused this and I have found some articles online saying that volvo recommend replacing steering rack after any hard impact on front suspension.
Any tips / information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

pinballdave · Oct 13th, 2019, 08:13

Ask you mechanic to write an 'Engineers Report' stating that the damage to the steering rack appears to have been caused by the collision and that they think that it cannot have developed in the 2 weeks between the repair and the MOT. If they are your regular mechanics, also get them to state that there was no issues with the steering when the car was last inspected before the collision.

Present this to your insurance company along with the Volvo recommendations, stating that as the collision repairs on the car have not yet been completed and your car is currently unroadworthy that you require use of a courtesy car until the insurance company have finished the repairs. Also say that if one is not provided, that you will need to rent a car and you will be adding this to the claim.

If you have legal cover, also ask them to provide a solicitor so you can get legal advice on taking the claim to court if they do not complete the repairs.

Basically make them think that you are not going to drop this, and it will be less cost to them to simply fix the car rather than argue about it.

Bloders2 · Oct 13th, 2019, 16:00

As above.
Tell them you will be taking civil action against the insurer (whichever paid out) as they have not put the vehicle to the condition it was before the incident.

Dont be excessive when hiring a car (as thats not fair) but advise them what vehicle youll be hiring and what it costs per day etc.

Oct 12th, 2019, 18:34	#1
stebc New Member Last Online: Oct 12th, 2019 19:22 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Oldham	Damaged steering rack Good evening, First post so hope this is correct place. I am looking for some advice after my better half got hit by another vehicle. She was hit from the side , on the drivers side front wheel. The car was repaired at a BMW garage and had various bits replaced, including steering knuckle, shock absorber, control arm and wheel hub. This took about 6 weeks!! Anyway, approx 2 weeks later, we took it for MOT and it failed with a major on the steering rack. The AA insurance are trying to say it was ok after repair, even though it was side impact around the area now damaged. My mechanic thinks it is likely that the collision has caused this and I have found some articles online saying that volvo recommend replacing steering rack after any hard impact on front suspension. Any tips / information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Oct 13th, 2019, 08:13	#2
pinballdave Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:46 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Brighton	Ask you mechanic to write an 'Engineers Report' stating that the damage to the steering rack appears to have been caused by the collision and that they think that it cannot have developed in the 2 weeks between the repair and the MOT. If they are your regular mechanics, also get them to state that there was no issues with the steering when the car was last inspected before the collision. Present this to your insurance company along with the Volvo recommendations, stating that as the collision repairs on the car have not yet been completed and your car is currently unroadworthy that you require use of a courtesy car until the insurance company have finished the repairs. Also say that if one is not provided, that you will need to rent a car and you will be adding this to the claim. If you have legal cover, also ask them to provide a solicitor so you can get legal advice on taking the claim to court if they do not complete the repairs. Basically make them think that you are not going to drop this, and it will be less cost to them to simply fix the car rather than argue about it.

Oct 13th, 2019, 16:00	#3
Bloders2 Senior Member Last Online: May 25th, 2021 20:44 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Ruabon	As above. Tell them you will be taking civil action against the insurer (whichever paid out) as they have not put the vehicle to the condition it was before the incident. Dont be excessive when hiring a car (as thats not fair) but advise them what vehicle youll be hiring and what it costs per day etc.

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