Sent my Honda Jazz to ASC for repairs: Car returns with multiple issues

The engine is feeling like it has lost all its smoothness. The car was really smooth in all gears. It would literally pull in each gear.

BHPian omar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have a Honda Jazz 2012.

The car has been really fun to drive earlier. I have owned and driven some really fast cars, but the steering feel of the Jazz, coupled with the forward driving position and smooth engine has always put a smile on my face. So much so, that I had made up my mind to never let go of it, regardless of the other cars I have

The car was regularly serviced at the Honda service centre in Mumbai, Andheri West. Always had a good experience in terms of the drivability of the car post the service.

In November 2022, I had my service over due, and was going out of town. I hence decided to give the car to another service centre in the city, since they were also recommended.

The only issue in the car which I had highlighted was a noise from the front suspension. The car drove perfectly otherwise.

The service advisor recommended the changes below:

• Steering rack repair since the noise was from originating from there.
• Change the break pads and discs.
• General service. Change in filters and oil.

I gave the go ahead for them, and collected the car after a week.

After I got the car, it felt like a completely different car. Didn’t feel smooth at all. The issues noticed were:

• The steering was really hard after the repair. The service advisor had assured it would become normal. But the steering while it has loosened up, it is no where close to feeling perfect like earlier. It still does not self centre smoothly. For example if I make a U turn, the car will keep going toward the right unless I get the steering back to the left.
• The engine is feeling like it has lost all its smoothness. The car was really smooth in all gears. It would literally pull in each gear. Specifically, in the second gear I could always feel a jump from 40-60 kmh when pushed closed to 3k rpm.
• The entire smooth feeling is now not existent! The car feels like it is lugging even at the correct gears! The engine is also now really rough, so much so that it I am now forced to up shift, to reduce the roughness of the engine, when the engine could easily handle the high RPM and speed earlier.

I wanted some advice on diagnosing the issues and getting the car back to its former peppier self.

Thanks in advance.

Here’s what BHPian Tgo had to say on the matter:

Your steering rack was replaced. I think Jazz has an EPS (electronic power steering). There must be some way to run a calibration on it. Please ask them to rectify it. Honda must be providing some warranty on repairs.

Cars with hydraulic steering racks must be primed so the oil circulates in the system and is free from air bubbles.

Here’s what BHPian varunsangal had to say on the matter:

Was the steering rack replaced or repair (replacement is >1 L, repair likely a free job)?

It is very easy to ‘hide’ the steering rack noise by tightening the steering nut by half a turn, the only downside is the steering becomes hard. The ‘hardness’ will disappear after a while as the nut loosens again and a little while later will bring back the noise.

Here’s what BHPian parth_enzo had to say on the matter:

I strongly suggest you to get your car inspected by an FNG and verify whether the entire steering rack was replaced or not! There might a possibility that only the preload was tightened on the steering rack since you are facing steering center issue and hardness. Do keep us posted!

Here’s what BHPian sagarpatki had to say on the matter:

Steering rack nut is over tightened to address the noise. What you are experiencing is the side effect of it. Ask them to torque the nut to spec using a torque wrench.

Check if the brakes are binding. On a cold engine, drive for 2 km at 30 – 40 kmph with minimal application of brakes. Touch the front and back wheels. If they are super-hot then the brakes are binding. Be careful when you are touching the wheels. You might burn your fingers. If brakes were replaced, this is usually caused by improper greasing of caliper pins.

Here’s what BHPian shancz had to say on the matter:

That’s a widespread practice across brands and number of wheels. Usually ASCs aren’t built to do repairs and usually don’t have the machines like a lathe or a hydraulic press. From experience its better in the long run to get it replaced rather than repaired unless you know what’s the exact problem and fix.

Ditto on the brake binding part and if possible also check and share your repair invoice. Just check if the demanded replacements have been carried out and the correct oil grade has been filled although this shouldn’t happen.

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