Imidazole

2004 Mazda RX-8. M6. 14k miles.

What I brought it in for, and they did:
-Fixed rattle in steering wheel, per TSB
-Replaced front brake pads, per TSB/Recall
-Replaced tail lights, build up of water inside them

What my car now does:
-DSC/Trac kicks on, while taking almost any casual corner or turn
-In order for the car to drive straight and true, the steering wheel has to be cocked 5 to 10 degrees right
-Putting the steering wheel in the 12 o'clock true position now results in a left lane-change. Not a very slow one, either.
-Rattling metal sound on the right side of the car, when driving against a sound-board (A wall, a building, an SUV)

Physical Damage after dealer visit:
-http://www.ipod24x7.net/wtfmate.jpg
Notice the broken clip on the bottom. Notice how the wheel-well is now bent in. It is bent in, in three spots around the wheel-well - where it should be meeting the fender!

Notes to take into consideration:
-I am the car's first owner. It has never been on a lift or jacked up. Oil changes were done at a jiffy-lube where they go UNDER my car, versus lifting it up.
-The car has never been in an accident.
-This physical damage was NOT there before they saw my car. I pay close scrutiny to my car.

Things I checked:
-Tire pressure is even on all four tires. 38psi.
-The tire appears to be on tight. No lug nuts appear to be loose.

How I'm handling this situation:
I immediately drove back to the dealership, the next day. (I dont drive my car much, I didnt notice it in the short distance from dealership to home). I was told they could schedule me an appointment next Tuesday (four days from now) and that it was perfectly fine and safe to drive it the way it is. The tech lady also said they did nothing to my car that would affect any problems I am experiencing, and basically seemed to think I was crazy.
Since then, I have left a voice mail to the president of the company, informing him of my dissatisfaction and concern.

My questions:
-What the hell could they have done to cause all of this?
-Is my wheel loose?
-Did they somehow screw up a brake pad replacement?
-Should I be concerned for my safety?

zoom44

you should have lef tthe car there and demanded a loaner. how could they possibly think it was ok to return the car to you? did they drive the vehicle before proclaiming it "perfectly fine and safe to drive it the way it is"?

zoom44

the damage is not a big deal- looks more like sloppy work than actual damage. the question is why did they have your wheel well open in the first place? oh and im movign this to the issues sections

Detrich

am really sorry to hear about this dazole... sounds like either your steering wheel alignment is off or your actual wheel alignment is off. from the work u had done- the previous sounds more likely. the dsc light going on & off could be an electrical or sensor issue- not necessarily something wrong w/ dsc itself. i'd get these checked out. but, given the damage to the car & the sloppiness of the repair, i'd seriously look for another mazda dealership for future repairs.

in my own experience, i've learned to "let the little things go," as hard as it may be sometimes. the reason is because it's actually more likely the dealer will **** things (and other things) up on your car when u bring it in for rinky dink stuff- like squeaks, rattles etc. SERIOUSLY.

even w/ my bmw 323i, which i bought new back in 98. i initally took to 2 really highly-rated dealerships to repair some stupid noises, squeaks etc. from the windows, gear box etc. the result was my car came back even more fucked up then when i brought it in. and, looking back, those minor things were just NOT worth the hassle. So, nowadays, i just accept the minor flaws of my cars, relax, and let things go. I'll only bring them in if something big is wrong.

So, my advice to you is to (1) not sweat the small stuff and just enjoy driving the car and (2) ask around and find a good mazda service dealer in your area... You'll sleep better at night.

Imidazole

So, in all seriousness, what the hell could they of done to make these noises, and the strange steering?

Steering wheel is straight center, car makes left lane change.
In order to drive straight, steering wheel is 5-10 degrees turned right.
Steering wheel stays in this right position when braking and when coasting straight.
DSC kicks on on all sorts of turns, no matter how mild.
Clunking/strange noises from front right wheel.

Did they simply not put the wheel on properly? As easy as it is?

zoom44

are your wheels both straight when the steering wheel is centered? if they are not straight are the parallel?

Imidazole

With the steering wheel centered, both wheels appear to be straight and parallel.

However, I have to admit, it would be hard to tell if they were just a little bit off - with the naked eye. You and I both know, that a little bit off, and it would cause major changes in the way the car would track/steer/etc

Imidazole

Well, since this thread is soo booming and everyone is so interested, I thought I'd let you guys know the outcome:

I dropped the car off, and after an hour and a half - I was called to be told my car was done.

Without acknowleging they caused the problem, they said "We arent sure if the wheel-well clips broke before or after your service call, but we fixed and replaced them for you", and "We put the car on the alignment machine, and it had perfect alignment. Our service tech also took off the steering wheel to verify that it was on straight"

They fixed my problems, in short. I talked to the tech, personally - and he didnt admit to fixing anything, he just checked those things - and the problem magically disappeared.

Basically, they didnt put the steering wheel on properly, it was a spline or two off.

What caused the DSC to keep kicking on, on slight corners? Damned if I knew, but for some reason its fixed now. Either the problem decided to disappear, or they fixed something without me knowing. What caused the metallic clunking noises? Again, disappeared, and who knows.

So... im all fixed up.

Mazda Monkey

They did not put your steering wheel back on straight. DSC uses a steering angle sensor located on the column near the wheel, if it is on crooked, DSC thinks you are constantly turning in a circle & that ain't right at all.

Imidazole

Thats funny.

The tech specifically said that DSC did not use a steering angle sensor.

zoom44

well at least its fixed - even if they dont know how they fixed. have to file this in the memory where i can find it again- bound to happen to someone else.

Mazda Monkey

It's not funny, it's pathetic.

The technician either:

A- Is a liar.
B- Is a moron.

They did not center your steering wheel after removal for the rattle repair.

The following is available to all Mazda Dealers-

Some customers may complain of the TCS / DSC mil on at times & DTC
C1937 may be stored in memory. C1937 is defined as the difference
between the steering angle calculated by each sensor and the steering
angle from the steering angle sensor exceeds specification.

1. Check steering wheel for off-center condition. If steering
wheel is not centered, check front wheel alignment & correct if
necessary. If steering wheel center is ok, go to step # 2.
2. Check steering angle sensor according to the workshop manual.
(Section 04-02-51)
3. Verify repair.

Imidazole

Well, I have to admit they dont seem like the brightest dealership.

The first time I brought it in for that steering wheel rattle, they said "No problem found".

I also asked for the latest firmware update, since I dont believe it has been updated since it was first purchased in Feb of 2004, they responded "No problem found".

I said that it flooded on me once, and the firmware should help. They said "No problem found".

So... They dont seem too bright. I wouldnt doubt it if the tech is simply ignorant.

Mazda Monkey

Too bad, maybe there is another dealer in your area?

dastallion951

well to help u out, get ur car aligned, have an alignment done, thatll fix the cocked steering wheel problem, u could possibly have a damaged or loose piece of steering linkage..... well that could be the problem, n if it is, then that could be why ur DSC comes on around any turn, have them do an alignment, check ur tie rod ends...... possibly ur rack n pinion.... could be the problem, BUT DEFINITELY have them do a 4 wheel alignment on it.... thatll fix ur steering wheel problem

zaglo6204

guys, read the thread before posting....he already said the dealer, despite their lacking skills etc, 'fixed' the issues....

imidazole, good to hear everything (sort of) worked out.

Like Whoa

Both in this case, go 2 different dealership in the future

snap-on

They put the wheel on a few splines out of alignment.

needmorerotors

it must take rocket science to put these steering wheels on. my dealer on their third attempt and they told there was no mosture in my right tail light.a chimp counld of done a better job