What to Bring When Getting Steering Parts Repaired
There are a few simple things to do before visiting the garage to get the steering parts repaired to save time to fix the problem the first time.
Your Registration and VIN Details
Bring your V5C logbook, your registration number and your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) with you to the garage. The logbook shows the make and model of your car and also the year of manufacture and the engine size. This is important when selecting parts for replacement as two cars of the same make and model can have very different steering systems, mainly due to the different trim levels and model year.
Any Previous Repair Invoices
Any previous repair work done to your car’s steering and any associated components such as suspension and steering seals. This will help the garage see a timeline of repair work already carried out, what parts were used and any readings taken from the vehicle at the time of repair. This can also help diagnose the current problem as you will be able to see how the problem has developed over time.
A Written Note of Your Symptoms
Make a note of your problems before your visit to the garage and be as specific as possible. Note the time of day and speed at which you experience problems with your car’s steering. Describe any noise in detail, e.g. knock, whine or clunk, and how the car feels when steered. A general description of problems with your car’s steering, i.e. ‘it just feels odd’, is not as useful to a mechanic as a written description of the problems you experience with your car.
Recent Related Work
Make a note of any recent work that may be related to the steering or suspension. This could be recent wheel alignment, new tires, a track rod replaced, or even a scrape from kerbing. This information will help the mechanic to diagnose the cause of the problem and to check or replace the relevant Steering Parts.
Confirming Compatibility Before Ordering
If parts need to be ordered for your car, ask the garage to check the parts compatibility using your car’s VIN number (found on the car’s V5 registration document) rather than the car’s registration number. This is especially important for older cars and cars that have been modified in any way as the car’s registered details may not reflect the current specification of parts fitted to the vehicle.
Preparation can save a lot of time and aid the repair to be done correctly the 1st time.