I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and own a 2003 LE Camry.(with public Insurance:about $1300 a year)

A month ago, my car skidded on ice and hit a pole head-on.
The bodyshop fixed everything except the 'steering rack' which started leaking after collision. They claimed that's not not covered by insurance.

They said getting a steering rack from factory would cost over $900 (and $200 in labor cost), $660 in aftermarket price.
I got it back today, the break was very loose break, but still 'drivable.'

But, prices on the internet happen to be much lower(300~400)
http://www.toyotapartstore.com/catalog/?N=11784+4294965406+1725+5882

I don't think registered Toyota body shops would ever lie, but
the price does seem a little steep. I've so many questions boggling my mind.

**is that due to the fact that it's 'Camry'? or all steering racks are that expensive?**

**Is Camry durable? Do you think leakage was a direct result of the collision or was it a case of wear&tear?(car has 60000 miles) even then why would it happen right after the accident though?**

**So there is a leakage on steering rack and the break's very loose. Do I have to replace the whole steering rack? The whole thing?**

**and why do you think the mechanics came to the conclusion that
the leakage was not part of the collision? Steering rack's located just behind the engine and subframe. I thought when the impact crumpled the frame/engine, the debris also came down on the rack and damaged it**


Gosh.. I'm having a panic attack.. so many things popping up at once.
If you have time, please help me answer any of the questions above. Any one of them.

Thank you very much for reading. Hope you have a happy new year.

If I were you, I would go after the insurance company and force them to pay for the steering rack at least. The problem is that it's hard to prove that the rack was damaged during the collision. You may have to get some second opinions. The rack could have been damaged if there was excessive force on the tie rod. ie. one of the front wheels was torn away or was severely thrown out of alignment, or one of the wheels took a big enough hit that it transferred a high impact force into the end of the rack via the tie rod steering link. If that sort of impact occurred, then I would say the onus is on the insurance company to prove that the rack damage was NOT caused by the accident. As for the brakes, if they don't feel right, then have them inspected by another independent mechanic to see what's wrong. Go back to the insurance compnay and say the brakes are deffective and that they will be sued when you have another accident. Too many of these insurance companies will try to weasle out of paying full claims. Talk to someone higher up at the ins. co.

dave mc

Griff:

Dave's comments are right on target. The steering rack hydraulic linkage may have been subject to a severe load during impact. I would have to assume that when your vehicle colided with the tree head on, you may have had the steering wheel turned maximum to the left or right to avoid the impact. This would in my opinion make the steering rack more vulnerable to a high impact and tear or damage the seals or housing. I think you should follow Dave's advise and ask for a second opinion and consider it hidden damage from the impact.

"car has 60000 miles"

That fact should be emphasized during your discussion with your insurance company. That is extremely low mileage for a steering rack to fail on it's own, IMHO.

Mike