So recently I had to replace a part underneath, the shop I went to installed a re-manufactured rack on my front tires as they claim there was a bend at the end of one of the sides which was causing my tire treads to wear out on one side of the tire. The treads indeed did wear out on one side and I had to replace both front tires.

I had only brought the car in to replace the tires before they pointed out the rack issue. They installed the new rack and the new tires, After releasing the car to me I drove the car out of the shop lot, I immediately noticed that my wheels were hitting the wheel wells when I made sharp turns. I immediately went back to them and told them that this was not like this when I brought the car in. They kept the car another few days to investigate the issue, and called me back and told me they were not finding anything that was causing that as this is how the car was when they received it to be serviced (FALSE). My car now shows the "Vehicle Too Low" and "Air Suspension Fault" codes constantly. I am not driving it as I should not be with the suspension being so low.

The mechanics basically said I'd have to take it to a Jaguar dealer to get the codes ran, and have them inspect it as they could not fix the issue. (was I scammed into replacing that rack which had one small dent in it, or am I being cynical?)

Anyway, I plan on taking it to a dealer but there are none near me. My suspension is very low, and resetting the vehicle does not adjust the suspension at all, I believe it the suspension is completely shot at this point.

Is this something that could have been damaged by the mechanics when they were replacing the rack?

Basically if someone could help me diagnose why this is happening, and what I should do to remedy the situation. And if possible a ball-park figure on how much this is going to end up costing me.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. I just want to drive my baby again.

 

They easiest thing for the uninitiated to fuss up, would be the height sensor.

My parents took their x-type to the shop they were comfortable with on previous rides, rather than wait to trouble me with it.

The shop owner returns the car to their home, with a broken coil spring... and couldn't figure out how to remove it.

The spring was fine when it went in. A 40k mile jag with a molested coil. Please.

So don't feel like the lone ranger.

 

If they replaced the rack I would guess they caused some damage to the front ride height sensor. Just a hunch however I sure would check that out.

Forget whether your MY year has two or just one sensor at the front.

They look like or similar to this and are easy to see.

 

The 'bent' steering rack was on an end? Which end?

(Our point is, you could survey the height sensor damage w/o a scan tool.)

There will be codes, too.

 

NM

 

Also did they show you the bent rack?

 

Height sensor sounds a good place to start, but the codes need reading. You need to find at least a shop that works on European cars, because Jaguar is not the only maker with air suspension on some cars, Mercedes has them too, and Audi I think. If the front height sensor is displaced or damaged the system will never work correctly.

 

Yes they showed me the bent rack. Didn't look major but they insisted if it were to stay like that my tire treads would wear out again on the new tires being installed

 

Going to take it to the shop close by that works on european cars to have the codes run and check the height sensors. Thank you,

 

Here are some images of the rack where they said it was bent at the end. And a picture of my front wheel showing how low the suspension has gotten

 

Are you talking about the tie ROD being bent?

You see that little band/clamp on the arm just past the shiny spot on the rod in the driver's side pic?

That's what connects the sensor to the lower arm. The sensor could still be mounted correctly and the wiring chaffed/disconnected/severed.

04's should only have the one sensor, which is what the pix show... unless...

 

Yes that is what was bent, the shiny spot right before the clamp. The car is an '05

 

The actuak tie rod is a replaceable item.

 

So you didn't really need a complete rack. However, did they actually fit one ? Any mechanic worth his skills would just replace the tie rod, as its much cheaper. Of course if the rack was found to be leaking fluid, then yes, a replacement is best.

 

That is exactly what I thought. I asked the mechanic when he showed me the bend problem, "can't you just replace that one part, it look's like it is replaceable?". He responded saying "no, you have to replace the entire rack as it is all one piece otherwise your tire treads will wear out just like they have already".

At the time I was skeptical but had no choice as I was stranded and needed the work done. They refused to acknowledge that the one part could be replaced, and said they would only do the work if they were replacing the entire rack as they refused to be held liable with their 1 year service warranty if the tire treads wore out again, and I complained about their service.

Seems like they scammed me into replacing the entire rack =based on what you are all saying, and in the process damaged my height sensor as I just noticed today the suspension on the front passenger side where the bend was is significantly lower than the drivers side.

I am probably going to get it checked at another shop, and if the shop tells me the height sensor was damaged during installation of the rack I will definitely be contacting that garage again and letting them know they need to remedy the situation even though they claim it was not their fault.

 

It's commonly known as an inner tie rod end. You have to have a ball joint at each end.



So... did you pay with a credit card?

 

Paid some of it with cash, some of it on credit card. Was a $1200+ bill.

 

How about showing them the Rockauto part shown above and seeing what they say? That is if you up to a "bit of an arguement.

If they have a website state that you will leave an appropriate response.

I just chose an independant mechanic 30 miles away because of the great feedback from numerous customers.