Eldest is driving a Fiesta at the moment which has developed a worrying bind around the centre of the steering.

There is a hard point of resistance that is around the centre point.

Any ideas what would cause this?

It feels like something is bent but it's not very safe and I need to get it sorted asap.

It also seems to get better as the day gets warmer.



[Edited on 22/4/07 by pajsh]

it will almost definatly be the uj on the column siezing up that bolts onto the rack, have replaced loads in the past, esp if its a manual rack, if it is a pas rack, you cant get the uj on its own, you have to get a new column from ford

Agree with above, sounds like the uj. They are a pig to get at though, above the pedals in the footwell, not the easiest of replacement jobs! I had to do my mums 'k' plater about 10/11 years ago and it was a bugger, granted i was only 16/17 at the time and new very little about cars.

Stoneliegh, Thats not for another two weeks ?

Thanks guys will look at it later.

Jack it up both wheels off the deck if it binds and then goes free at 180 or 90 degree intervals as you spinthe steering wheel is a column UJ.

or

If the steering only binds when the road wheels are close to straight ahead position it is a rack problem -- bent rack (unless some one has been playing around with the rack adjustmnent)