Had safety inspection today. Mechanic started lifting car with out putting arms and lift pads out (center lift, arms form X under car). After driving car, couldn‘t turn wheel with out strong arming it. Got it in driveway, now leaking reddish fluid that has strong fish smell and serpentine belt has snapped. Whats going on? Could the improper lifting done this?
Sounds like the lift bent your rack and pinion steering gear,also might have bent the lower pulley which in turn messed up your serpentine belt, the rack and pinion has lines that carry trans fluid from the power steering pump. I would say yes the lift damaged your car
By the sounds the power steering itself is leaking, though the reddish fluid could be from your transmission/ diffs or transfer case, but by the problems you've been having I'd say it is a power steering leak. Many places will let you know about about problems with your car when they arrive so they are not liable for them afterwards, though both of the problems you are having should be located away from the lifts. Check over any documents that were given to you after the inspection, and give them a call. Don't be angry as it is a car and every single one of them is different and problems like this do happen. I could be 100% their fault, or it could have happened naturally.
The master cylinder is the name of the reservoir that holds your brake fluid. In most cars this is located under the hood directly opposite where the driver sits.
The master cylinder is the pump that pumps the fluid around to the brakes
The brake system is a closed loop hydraulic system. Increasing the hydraulic pressure will move the wheel cylinders or calipers to increase the brake pressure. The master cylinder is the pump that increases the hydraulic pressure. You control that buy pushing on the brake pedal.
