Caster bearings on CL500 - noisy?

[Palfrem]

Dear chums

Some have you may have been following the travails of my CL500 (2003 @ 60K FMBSH) following a skid in the snow last Decemeber when it mounted the kerb and hit a lampost. No airbag deployment.

My insurer (Privilege) and it's "preferred repairer" (UK Assistance) have had two bites of the cherry in getting the bonnet to fit and the paint to match and other items, along with a worrying noise when the steering is turned.

The car is now supposed to be finally fixed and is being returned tomorrow (3 months after the accident) but the noise in the steering (not there pre-accident) is apparently due to "worn caster bearings" and not covered by the insurance.

I'm not happy.

I don't have a clue what a caster bearing is and how it could make a noise. Or how much it costs to repair.

Can anyone here enlighten me please?

Any ammo for me vs. the insurers will be very gratefully received

Many thanks.

 

[Ted]

Well.
When I was at college (a long LONG time ago), the castor angle was effectively how far the wheel was behind the kingpin or 'pivot'.
This allowed the front wheels to run a little like castors on a trolley - i.e. go in a straight line if there was no force on the steering.

I've never heard of a castor bearing. I'm fascinated.

 

[Dieselman]

What exactly it the steering noise?
They probably mean the upper mount.

 

[jonnyboy]

I think that if you're still not happy with the repair you should be having an independent qualified expert report done on the car then hit Privilege where it hurts, including the bill for the engineer. From memory I paid about £350. Bargain.

 

[Palfrem]

Dieselman,

it's a sort of squeaking / squeeling / complaining noise when you turn the steering wheel, either way.

It was supposed to have had some new ball joints a few thousand miles ago if there's any connection

Any use?