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I've been following this thread since before I bought my Rondo. Initially I didn't really see a noticable pull, but in the last few weeks (now at 5 months, 5000KM) it is getting worse. We were on the highway the other day, and I did have to hold the steering a bit off center to the left to keep the car from changing lanes on me....
Before I start the usual hair pulling (mine) with the dealers, as a number of you have already done, I was just wondering if anyone has an update on any official or documented acknowledgement (other than the TSB ), or of the miracle 'replacement part' that was mentioned in some Jul/Aug posts in this thread.
Also, it would be a great help if any of you can actually recommend a good dealer/service facility in the GTA for this problem. I got my car from West Toronto Kia, but they are not close to the highway, so can't effectively road test most of the time, they don't have loaner cars, and they are about 40KM from my work and home (a long walk once I drop off the car )
Lastly, has anyone noticed a burning/overheating smell (like an iron left on too long) when you step out of the car, on the right side?
Last edited by A_Man : 09-22-2008 at 11:41 AM.
Reason: removed unintended smileys
After a very long time, I finally got my Rondo in to the dealer for the pull. They said it was definitely not to specs. It was aligned and on the drive home, I noticed it was improved but I need more time to test it. There were times I just wasn't sure that it was tracking straight. The steering seemed a bit tighter and slightly heavier, to my liking. I have some other issues regarding that I did not have time to have looked at today regarding the front suspension and brakes, which have been mentioned in other threads.
...so far anyway, and I'm most definitely keeping my fingers crossed!! I hope it's fixed for good and not just temporary.
We got a call from the KIA dealership that our part was in. No previous discussion about this so it was a complete surprise. Had the steering shaft (p/n 56400-ID-200 joint assy-universal) replaced. Now the steering is nice and tight. No wandering, no continuous correcting, and no pulling!! How nice is that?
Strange that we weren't notified about needing the part or that they ordered the part. It seemed to be very secretive and no explanation was given.
...so far anyway, and I'm most definitely keeping my fingers crossed!! I hope it's fixed for good and not just temporary.
We got a call from the KIA dealership that our part was in. No previous discussion about this so it was a complete surprise. Had the steering shaft (p/n 56400-ID-200 joint assy-universal) replaced. Now the steering is nice and tight. No wandering, no continuous correcting, and no pulling!! How nice is that?
Strange that we weren't notified about needing the part or that they ordered the part. It seemed to be very secretive and no explanation was given.
I am very surprised that it took that long before they finally figured out what to do to resolve the pulling problem. Here in the Philippines, the roads are not that good so suspension problems are common. When I got my Suzuki Baleno, I encountered that problem too because a ran into a pipe-laying trench along a dark highway at 80kph. After the right pulling appeared, I took it, not to the dealer but to an underchassis expert which are plentiful here. (You can imagine why). The mechanics gave it an alignment reading including camber and caster and came up with the same solution you got. However, it only took them something like 20 mins to file the hole and they did this without removing the tires or the alignment equipment still attached to the rims. The pulling problem was resolved in no time. I can only say that your dealer leaves much to be desired.
The regional rep got the flu and had to cancel, had to re-schedule for February 5th.
Thanks for this Trevor. It seems some are pointing towards the tires for this issue but I have since switched to new winter tires and the issue is still there. I suspect that some of my specs are way off but cannot be adjusted because, as the forum entry above indicates, there is no camber and caster adjustments on the Rondo.
Can you ask the original poster in that forum if he drives a V6? I am not a member of that forum.
I have been reading a lot about the problems people encounter with the Rondo. In my country, it's sold as the Carens and I am seriously considering buying one as it suits what I and my family need in a vehicle. I own a ten year old Suzuki Baleno and I have nothing but praise for it's reliability. I have traversed volcanic lahar and knee deep floods without it conking out. However I did encounter the pulling problem to the right when I had an unfortunate encounter with a pipe trench on a dark highway at high speed. The Baleno also has non-adjustable camber and caster so the only solution is to file a hole for correct camber and caster specs. I believe most cars today have the same under chassis structuring as regards to camber and caster so it is not really surprising that people will encounter these problems. What surprises me though is that in highly advanced countries, they seem to be at wits end how to solve the problem. In my case, I took it to an under chassis expert and the mechanics took all the necessary readings and immediately recommended the filing of a new hole. When I gave my assent, they were able to finish the job in 20 mins and without removing the wheels or the alignment equipment still attached to the rims. That solved my pulling problem. Perhaps I may just lucky but the problem was solved. When I do buy a Rondo and encounter the pulling problem, I'm confident it will all boil down to the filing of a new hole. Prudently, one should not get overexcited and overconfident when purchasing a new vehicle and forget giving the vehicle a thorough inspection. It will save loads of frustration and hours of wasted time fixing it.
Paholler, Please respond with the dealer contact info for your pulling right fixes.
If anyone knows US dealers fixed this problem please post the contact details for the dealer. My service manager wants to talk to them before fixing mine.
)
Michael
Linear Mode
