Steering column problem
I recently had a clutch replacement and the timing belt replacement done on my 2009 Hyundai Alandra sport. It has 165,000 km on it. Two weeks after these repairs my wife was driving and the steering column came completely detached from the steering wheel dropping to the floor behind the break pedal. She was unable to steer and unable to stop the car. Luckily she was able to get the car stopped without incident. We returned the car to the mechanic who did the initial clutch and timing belt replacement who claimed that the steering column had nothing to do with the repair that they had just done. My question is this; does the steering column need to be moved or adjusted in anyway to perform either one of these repairs? I am on the hook for hundreds of dollars of repairs rental cars and towing. As well I would like to know for my own peace of mind whether I can trust this mechanic and whether I should proceed with the lawsuit.