So any ideas where to look for a fault on my steering?
The steering feels heavier than usual in the straight ahead position and for instance turning slightly left. Then pulling back straight is quite light
until the centre position is reached.
I can't feel any slop in the steering, as soon as you move the wheel, the road wheels turn and centering the steering always straights the
wheels dead ahead.
It also manifests in a distinct lack of self centring.
Confused...
Remove both track rod ends and check the rack and uprights separately.
Could be the rack or a ball joint seizing up
[Edited on 7/5/13 by madteg]
Can also be a uj on the steering column.
Ian
Sierra column bush can cause similar symptoms, a self aligning bearing works a treat
Cheers guys, looks like I've got a bit of dismantling to do to see what's up...
Ta for the pointers.
Could it be your castor is different on either side? Or are your UJ joints trying to work at too acute angle? I had the angle issue before which manifested itself in the steering going light heavy light.......
An easy one if you have a lumpy steering that feels like a 50p piece is somewhere in the mechanism then it is defo a steering UJ --- this
is a very common problem.
A rack problem has quite different symptoms.
For it to be the rack you either have to have hit a kerb or adjusted the rack damper pad too tightly. Steering racks always wear most around the
centre position so if the rack damper is adjusted too tight the steering binds as you turn to full lock. A bent rack as similar symptoms but
usually only gets tight on one lock.
Thanks, it's odd. It's heavy to start a turn and light to return to almost centre and then heavy again...
I'll start with the UJ I think, then pop the joints if it doesn't look like that.
Cheers!
quote:
Originally posted by Xtreme Kermit
Thanks, it's odd. It's heavy to start a turn and light to return to almost centre and then heavy again...
I'll start with the UJ I think, then pop the joints if it doesn't look like that.
Cheers!
Bar-steward... 
quote:
Originally posted by MakeEverything
An update from Kermit towers:
After suffering a wheel bearing failure and getting a really good excuse to get the front of the car in the air, the cause of the "lumpy
steering" is a partially seized steering UJ. I have started with penetrating oil and a bit of persuasion and it has loosened up a bit.
I'll keep lubricating and exercising (ooh err missus) and see if I can getaway without replacing it.
I would look into replacing it, I have attempted to unseize them in the past and its always been a short term fix.
Theyre only a couple of bucks I personaly wouldnt bother trying to service it.
Replace it lubing it won't work for long, there is a gap in the market for rubber protective gaiters for these to prevent water ingress due to pressure washing.
I'd go for replacing it. They're only tiny needle rollers in the bearings and if you do get it freed off, the wear in the needles will result soon after as a load of play in it
I had a similar problem, where the steering would stick, just greased the UJs and rose joint bearing (if that makes sense) and been fine ever since
Well, it freed up nicely after a couple of hours of penetrating oil and sporadic wiggling.
But reading the comments above, I will put a new bottom shaft including uj on the shopping list.
Does anyone know if the joint comes off the splined shaft?