QuestionQUESTION: Hi Rob,
First off I would just like to say,,,hats off to you and all the other volunteer's, much appreciated. I have a 1995 Cadillac Deville.I bought it in 2005 with 32K and it was cherry. Any way I use it to commute to work about 85 miles a day.. I have maintained the car and the car is still in great working condition. So setting that up for u...The transmission went out so I took it to be fixed. When I picked it up the A/C would only blow out the defrost and floor vents, not the dash where It was working. Also the cruise control says it is engaged but it truly isn't. So I called the mechanic and he said there was nothing involved with either of those items and it couldn't be anything he did. But he would be glad to take a look at it for me. So do I have a gripe? Could a transmission job do something to C/c or A/c? Sorry probly to much information...awaiting your reply,,Thanks :)
ANSWER: Hello,
I would truly have suspicions here. You did not state what was done to the transmission. If removed, there is a good chance your problems are related.
I haven't removed a transmission from one of these vehicles for a very long time, but if I remember right, one of the tools used goes across the engine area and holds the weight of the engine when removing the transmission. It is possible that the engine twisted in such a way to snap a cable or vaccum line.
It was also real common to see engine fires to develop due to service because over time the plastic fuel line would get brittle and move around and fracture after the customer took the car down the road.
There are many potential problems that can develop when the transmission is removed.
I would suggest that you give the mechanic the benifit of the doubt and let him diagnose the problem first. If he still keeps claiming that the problems were not caused by him, you will need to take the car somewhere else to have it looked at. If that mechanic says it is from the installation of the transmission, see what this mechanic wants to do about it.
Good Luck!
Rob
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Rob,Today I took my Cadillac Deville for a tune up,,plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter. When I received the car back I noticed the steering wheel was sitting crooked. After driving it a while I noticed when I made a left handed turn and then straitend out to go strait it was turned to the left about 2 inches, then when I made a right handed turn it would stay to the right about 2 inches. Well of course the mechanic said cant be anything he did. And spoke to me like I was a bit crazy..hmmm what would make that suddenly happen, it was fine before I left it there. Also is it ok to drive it like that?
ANSWER: Hello,
Doing the tune up should not relate to your steering problems, however it can go back to the transmission originally repaired. When removing the trans on this car, the engine is supported from falling. The engine cradle is removed as well as the axles and possibly steering rack and pinion. If the steering shaft is not connected properly in the rack, it will cause the problems you refer to which can be very dangerous.
Such scenario leaves the mechanic clearly in the blame.
Please remember, I can only go by your description and I am not viewing the vehicle, but my scenario as to where the steering column fits into the rack seems to be very feasible.
After you get this repaired, my suggestion would be to get a new mechanic.
Rob
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Rob, thanks for your fast reply. After some thought I did notice that the steering seemed a little loose after they replaced my transmission but I thought it was just not being used to it after driving my little saturn for the two weeks it took to do the job. Perhaps it worsened with time? I guess I will have to take it back to him. The mechanic that did my tune up was different. My boyfriend said to find out where you live and get you to fix it! lol
AnswerHello,
The rack is attached under the dash to the steering column. It shafts go from the bottom of the steering column into the steering rack and pinion two ways through the fire wall. One side that attaches directly to the column has a pinch bolt. If there is no bolt or it is loose, the potential for the steering shaft from the column to the rack can spin, similar to your description.
On the other side of this shaft is an inside shaft with a spring type wedge that goes directly into the rack and pinion, and that can spin as well. Its all hard to describe, but I picture the configuration in my head.
I would be concerned about the steering in this vehicle. If you think about it even as a layman, you turn hard and then the steering wheel is not aligned, something is slipping or spinning in the steering.
Loose tie rods could also cause this problem, but I don't know how that would relate to the removal and installation of the trans. Bottom line, you need to get it diagnosed and fixed NOW!
Rob
