OK, ran over something last Sunday and it cut a two inch gash in the right rear tire. Called a tow truck to take it to the nearest open facility (Ft Pierce Fl). Tow guy had trouble getting the car on the lift. Anyway, nearest open place was Pep Boys. They took the flat off, determined it couldn't be repaired and put on the mini-spare so I drove home, noticing my steering wheel was now facing 11: o;clock instead of 12. I ordered a new tire from Tire Rack and had it delivered to a facility in Port St. Lucie, Fl. It arrived on 07/03. I drove down and had them install it. Today I stopped at the Jag dealership in Ft Pierce to have them check the alignment, thinking that was the problem. An hour later the service advisor says they found the problem. "Did you gave the car towed?" he asked. I said yes and he had the mechanic point out that the tow truck guy hooked up to the steering rack instead of the tow hookup. He bent the steering rack. Cost of new rack and labor? $3700. I called the tow truck company and they are denying it was their fault. Turns out it
s a small indy tow operation, with a pretty bad reputation. Advice needed...eat the cost and move on, take the tow company to small claims court or, looking for a plan C.

 

 

Not sure about proof. Pep Boys can document it was towed there and that they installed spare and I drove out. Other facility who installed new tire can document that I drove in and out. And Jaguar techs say damage was caused by towing.

 

Also, they apparently hooked up to the threaded piece (outside tie rod?). Is that something the can be replaced or do I need to replace the entire steering rack?

 

Tie rods are cheap, you can even find them on eBay.

 

Usually the inner section of the tie rod is threaded, the part that comes out of the steering rack. Here's one on eBay, C2D47149:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/JAGUAR-XFR-...ally+Aspirated

If it's only the tie rod then they separate the outer from the inner pop the boot and remove the inner once the fluid drain. Assembly is pretty straight forward and it'll need an alignment once done.

Per the tow company, document it and talk to your insurance about the value of doing a claim versus eating the deductible and higher rates. They may go to bat for you.

 

All retrospect and of no use now, but where were you when it was getting towed? Not that everyone in the world knows about installing a tow hook into the bumper, but I do know that if someone I don't know is messing with MY car I'd be danged sure that they were doing so correctly.
So, this is mostly a word to anyone else out there........ Know how your car should be towed! (and hoisted)
It really does suck that someone in the BUSINESS of towing doesn't know their ****, but evidently even a lunatic moron can get elected president.

 

 

 

 

 

Hmmm. So, I wonder why the dealership told me I needed a new steering rack?

 

Profit margin is way higher and they are less liable if something else is tweaked in the steering linkage and they don't find / fix it the first time. Dealer tend to do sub assembly replacement when possible, not component replacement.

I wouldn't let the dealer touch any suspension components, they'll have you replacing all the bushings and joints before it's all over.

 

My practice is to have any dealer or mechanic "show me " the problem. I never just take anyone's word on what needs to be fixed. Then the next question is can it be repaired instead of replaced. Also on any work which I had others do I would ask for the parts that were removed and take them unless they were needed by the dealer for warranty purpose. I would still tell them I want to see the bad parts. Simple just "trust but verify".

 

Tie rods are around $100 as I'm sure you have seen. Rebuilt racks for these are plentiful and only a few hundred. Installation is pretty straight forward. For half the price the dealer quoted you, you could have a new GT/F-type rack for improved steering response and feel.

 

I've seen a bunch of refurbished racks on ebay. Sadly, most are from a company called Buy Auto Parts (and their numerous pseudonyms). There are a zillion complaints about the company on Ripoff Report.com. They are known for sending the wrong parts, not refunding customer money and keeping people on hold for hours. I'd sure like a recommendation for a reputable seller if anyone know of one.

 

IMO - I'd change out the tie rods and alignment first and determine if that solved my problem before moving on the the rack.

Sorry no help on a supplier.

 

If you go the dealer route- you have the proof and expert witness you need.
The witness says it happened when it was last towed.
You have a receipt for when it was last towed.

 

You have to fail at a lot in life to become a tow truck driver in South Florida.
I saw them towing a XJ (from a dealership, so not a repo) where they could not figure out the emergency brake release, so they dragged it with tries screeching and the car put up a hell of a fight.