We brought our Proton Gen2 in for a 30K service and the car was coming up to the end of the 3 year warranty (had a couple of months left on the warranty).

We told them about a squeaking noise in the steering. It appears that to "fix" this they removed some of the plastic console and reattached it. This did not fix the noise and continued, but didn't seem that serious.

We brought the car in for 35K service (a few months after the warranty has expired) and told them that the steering still has a noise. They now say that it needs a new steering rack (cost 27,000Baht).

Seems to be case of them pushing the problem off until there is no warranty (or maybe i'm paranoid?);

We complain of this that we already documented the problem with that the last time (and was not fixed). Their response is that they have to get approval to fix the part under warranty from Malaysia and this could take "months"...during which time car is not safely useable.

What would you do? Pay the 27K or continue to complain (which doesn't seem to be getting anywhere)? Or am i being unreasonable and should accept this cost as part of normal car ownership?

Write to their head office stating the facts.

If the noise in your mind is in the column area then l doubt if it's anything to do with the rack, more likely a column bush .

Is the squeak there when you first get in the car or does it start after a while driving ?

Write to their head office stating the facts.

If the noise in your mind is in the column area then l doubt if it's anything to do with the rack, more likely a column bush .

Is the squeak there when you first get in the car or does it start after a while driving ?

The noise kind of sounds like the squeaking you might hear from a door hinge and is coming from down in the steering column when you turn. It's quite a faint noise, and seems to happen regardless of how long you've been driving.

So do you think maybe this noise is actually unrelated to the steering rack?

Write to their head office stating the facts.

If the noise in your mind is in the column area then l doubt if it's anything to do with the rack, more likely a column bush .

Is the squeak there when you first get in the car or does it start after a while driving ?

The noise kind of sounds like the squeaking you might hear from a door hinge and is coming from down in the steering column when you turn. It's quite a faint noise, and seems to happen regardless of how long you've been driving.

So do you think maybe this noise is actually unrelated to the steering rack?

Afraid it's one of those probs where one must get under the motor ( in a pit or car on a hoist) whilst someone in the car turns the steering wheel, cos it 'sounds' like a bush to me, but then l don't know your rides set up.

You could try going to a local garage with a hoist and do what l suggest, give them a few baht. Been my experience that Main dealer workers haven't got a clue about solving a problem, just bolt on new stuff. You could pay for a rack and still have your squeak if a bush is the problem.

Like medical diagnosis, if you can I would go to a different dealer who doesn't know about your first report and ask for their opinion.

If you go to a place like Cockpit, or Tire Plus they take great pride in telling you whats up, just say it feels funny and let their best chap drive it with you.Bad luck,our Post Man has abused his Gen 2 for 5years and only had a Paint Fade prob.