More power-steering questions

[MadcapMagician]

Quick question, chaps...

I sheared the bolt that keeps the power steering belt tensioner in place.

In order to replace it, would one need to remove any part of the air-con system? Even if you have to remove the power steering pump, surely the air-con remains untouched?

I can't believe that Toyota would have designed the engine bay in such a way that you'd need to remove (and thus re-gas) the air-con in order to simply change the steering pump.

[bowella]

Why is the A/C compressor in your way? it is on the drivers side of the engine and the PAS pump is on the passenger's side, but if you do ever have to remove the A/C compressor to gain access to the alternator there should be enough slack in the hoses to let you re-position it somewhere to give you room to work, normally you don't have to remove the pipes, just move the compressor with the pipes still attached.
I can't think of any A/C componants that would have to be removed to get to the PAS pump.
Hope this helps.
Regards, John.

[MadcapMagician]

Thanks, John.

This is why I asked:

Dear Sir,

On 01/07/08 I brought my Toyota Hilux Surf, K684YEL, in to your garage (CXXX & HXXX) for repairs.

On inspection by CXXX & HXXX I was informed that the bolt that holds the power steering pump belt tensioner in place had sheared and would need replacing.

CXXX & HXXX carried out the work but informed me after they had completed the job that because the power steering pump was now slightly loose, due to damage incurred whilst driving after the original bolt had sheared, the bolt that had been replaced might shear again.

Les than two weeks later, on 14/07/08, the bolt did indeed shear.

Having spoken to the Trading Standards Authority, I have been advised thus:

1 – Under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 I am entitled to expect that any work is carried out with reasonable care and skill; this means that the garage should do the work competently and to a standard expected of a garage of that type.

2 – CXXX & HXXX replaced a faulty bolt; however, knowing that the replacement bolt might shear in the future (because the power steering pump was not replaced at the same time) they should have informed me that I needed to replace the power steering pump before they completed the work.

3 – CXXX & HXXX are in breach of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 because the work they carried out was not completed to a standard expected of a garage of that type. I should have been informed that I needed a new power steering pump before the work was completed, but this was not done. Now that the bolt supplied by CXXX & HXXX has sheared, my car will require more work to replace something that they should have replaced when doing the original job.

4 – By law, I am entitled to return my vehicle to CXXX & HXXX so that they can fit a new power steering pump. However, under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 I am not liable to pay any labour charges as this work is what CXXX & HXXX should have done in the first place.

5 – If I do not return my vehicle to CXXX & HXXX for repairs, under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 CXXX & HXXX are liable to refund me so that I may get the work carried out elsewhere.

Taking all this into consideration, I have decided that I am going to take my vehicle elsewhere for repairs and therefore require CXXX & HXXX to make a full refund of £141.00.

Furthermore, whilst CXXX & HXXX were working on my vehicle, they telephoned me to advise me that they would need to remove part of the air conditioning system in order to complete the repair, and that I would need to get the system re-gassed afterwards. I agreed to this at the time, however since then I have contacted Toyota who have informed me that this was entirely unnecessary. To this end, then, I expect CXXX & HXXX to supply me with the £65.00 required to re-gas the air conditioning system.

Please contact me on 07XXX XXX XXX, or by return mail, to advise how this total payment of £206.00 is to be made.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

That was posted this morning. If they decide to be arsey about it, I'll simply ring up the credit card company and advise them that they are also in breach and to reverse the payment.

[NiftyNev]

Underslung condenser (if you have it) will be in the way of the power steering pump. If the power steering pump adjuster bolt shears the pump will move around damaging the pivot bolt. New adjuster bolt may shear again because of movement in the pump from worn pivot bolt. Pivot bolt should always be checked if adjuster bolt has broken. Pivot bolt replacement requires pulley removal to access, or the entire mount (which includes the engine mount) will need to be removed.

Nev

[MadcapMagician]

Thanks, Nev. Clear and concise.

[MadcapMagician]

Got my £141 back.

[MadcapMagician]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaay!

At last I have working power steering!

I almost turned the Surf over on the first 90 degree bend, though!

Two months of no PAS makes one overcompensate a tad....

[stormforce]

Good to see you had a refund Jer.What about the aircon regas are you going to be refunded for that aswell?
That info is well worth keeping hold of incase anything like that happens to someone else.

[MadcapMagician]

What about the aircon regas are you going to be refunded for that as well?

It doesn't look likely.

When you consider, though, that it's only cost me £1 more for both the pump and getting it fitted than the original garage charged me, it's not such a blow.