03 Merc Sprinter needs replacement steering rack at 10,500 miles?
All that aside, to add insult to injury, the projected cost of replacement/repair will be £1000 just for the steering rack, and another £700+ for labour and VAT ~if~ (and it's a big 'if') I go back to the repairing dealership.
So A) Has anyone else owning a Sprinter van had this sort of trouble this early, and B) Can anyone tell me a good source and price of recon steering racks, please.
Answers:
Go into a show room and make a fuss when It's full of customers, they may come to some deal just to 'shut you up' (looks bad for business, loose potential customers ETC).
GSF.com will be able to supply a new rack, they are the cheapest I've found any where for European car parts.
they have branches all over UK(though not much north of Leeds), they even mail order from their Heathrow main office.
If they don't have in stock(at smaller branch) they can always get the parts for noon next day!
with regards to fitment It's not that hard a job (only 4 or 6 bolts(can't remember myself), 2 ball joints, and a couple of pipes.)
should take a backstreet garage no more than 2 Hrs(3 if they hit major problems) so should only cost £80-100 labour(plus new PAS fluid £20 most)
Get it fixed then drive through their showroom window
Good luck!
Go the court and they must be learnt a lesson.Also for help from Consumer Protection if there is any such set up.
Well im sorry to hear about this but unfortunately merc have got you over a barrel!
As you say the vehicle in question is out of warranty so no court in the land will side with you!
I used to work for merc and know all too well that it depends on your history with them and as you said the vehicle is an import and very low mileage so they will have no history of you or the vehicle in the uk.
On a brighter note you could get a re-con unit or possibly a new unit from most good motorfactors (partco etc) just look in the yellow pages or if possible you could get one from a scrapyard as the sprinter has been going some time and there might be a couple of rightoffs in,but ask what damage on vehicle was as you want one with rear end obviously!
Also try a good little back street garage (get recommendations from freinds and family)as there service and repair costs are way below main dealers,I know that the merc dealers I worked for was £75.00p an hour plu VAT and that was 8 years ago(robbin b8stards).
You could also get your steering rack re conditioned but this would mean the vehicle being off the road up the drive for a long time so this is not really an option.
Hope this helps and good luck!!
For parts I'd recommend:
www.autohausaz.com
Yes, they're in Arizona but they ship worldwide. Their prices are 50% - 60% off retail. If they don't have it ask them if they know anyone who does, or, get the part number from the dealership & Google it. Most places ship internationally.
Hope this helps!
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