Power steering /powerwagon 2013

[jwalker]

Drive a 2013 powerwagan 2500, bought it 8 months ago, 62000 km, has been running great with no problems. Got stuck in the mud up to the bottom of the doors, tried to get out ourselves, no way that was happenng, tow truck pulled it out, when we started to drive it we it was very hard to steer to the left and right, had to use all my might to turn it. Having a fighting match with my insurance as i believe the damage was caused by the mud as the truck was fine before, however the dealership cannot 100% confirm it was from the mud. I paid 3400 for a new steering pump, rack and cooler as they say there was metal sparkle in the fluid and it was not flushing properly hence the new rack and cooler. they also said pump is worn out, so my question is, is it heard of to have steering issues like this in a vehicle that is only at 62000kms or was the damage done from the mud?

 

[DannyMK2]

first off, you dont have a rack. you have a steering gear. was the mud the cause of the failed steering gear? depending on what you were doing and how deep, probably. its also possible the gear box was already faulty and the mud finished it off. theres no way the dealer or any mechanic is going to be able to tell for sure if the box was good or not before the mud incident.

are failed gear boxes common with low mileage. not particularly, but anything is possible. especially with a power wagon. they tend to get driven hard.