Steering Column - S3
Discussion
Whilst attempting to change my Universal Joints today (as I have excessive play in steering), I noticed that the triangular section column from the bulkhead has audible play in it when I grabbed it and gave it a shake.
If anyone has changed their UJ's can you please advise if this is normal? or is this a sign of damaged bulkhead bearing?
If Bulkhead bearing, any ideas where I can get a replacement?
PS. Having changed the UJ's the steering is now 'notchy'. I will have to have another tinker next week, but won't be driving the S3 this week!
Thanks
If anyone has changed their UJ's can you please advise if this is normal? or is this a sign of damaged bulkhead bearing?
If Bulkhead bearing, any ideas where I can get a replacement?
PS. Having changed the UJ's the steering is now 'notchy'. I will have to have another tinker next week, but won't be driving the S3 this week!
Thanks
If you look at my web site at http://www.tvrgit.com and go to the diary entry for May 13th, you'll see that I just changed the bottom UJ, and I talk in there about how to make sure the UJs are "in phase" as Chris mentions. Basically, the slots in the top and bottom UJs should line up along the intermediate steering shaft. Unlike CV joints, UJs move slightly as they turn (more noticeable the further away from "straight ahead" they are). Getting them "in phase" means that the movement of the UJ at one end complements the movement at the other end. If they are out of phase, then the shaft is effectively trying to lengthen and shorten itself as the UJs turn, and it's as notchy as hell.
On the bulhead bearing, when you say there's play in the triangular shaft, do you mean
(a) when you grip the shaft, it feels as if the whole column is moving up and down (in which case it's the bulkhead bearing); or
(b) when you grip the shaft, it's pivoting THROUGH the bulkhead bearing, as if it was loose further up inside (sorry it's difficult to describe) in which case it's likely to be a triangular plastic bush that fits inside the end of the fixed column section - that triangular bit is designed to "telescope" up inside the column in the event of a crash, and there's a plastic bush where it slides up inside.
Here's a pic of the steering column out of the car - you can JUST see the white bush where the triangular section fits in to the end.
On the bulhead bearing, when you say there's play in the triangular shaft, do you mean
(a) when you grip the shaft, it feels as if the whole column is moving up and down (in which case it's the bulkhead bearing); or
(b) when you grip the shaft, it's pivoting THROUGH the bulkhead bearing, as if it was loose further up inside (sorry it's difficult to describe) in which case it's likely to be a triangular plastic bush that fits inside the end of the fixed column section - that triangular bit is designed to "telescope" up inside the column in the event of a crash, and there's a plastic bush where it slides up inside.
Here's a pic of the steering column out of the car - you can JUST see the white bush where the triangular section fits in to the end.
i did this when i replace my bottom column bearing - its a more elegant solution than the original. found the part on the web from memory
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
In response to Barkychoc, the replacement UJ's were NOT identical to the originals. Top UJ wsa pretty much the same, but bottom UJ had one of the SLOT's 180 deg opposite.
I kept to my original mark on the attachement at 'steering rack' end, so attachment at 'intermediate shaft' end was 180 deg out.
I'll take a look next weekend and see how the slots correspond with each other (ie. between top and bottom UJ).
Also, the new UJ's didn't seem that smooth to me, but as I had nothing to compare them with, I assume they will be ok after I get the 'Phasing' sorted.
I kept to my original mark on the attachement at 'steering rack' end, so attachment at 'intermediate shaft' end was 180 deg out.
I'll take a look next weekend and see how the slots correspond with each other (ie. between top and bottom UJ).
Also, the new UJ's didn't seem that smooth to me, but as I had nothing to compare them with, I assume they will be ok after I get the 'Phasing' sorted.
This is obviously a propshaft but same principle, the two yokes attached to the shaft must be in-line.
https://randallmotorsport.ssl-01.com/images/propsh...
Some UJ's are a little "tight" when new, I gave mine a good wiggling before fitting, this free'd them off a little.
https://randallmotorsport.ssl-01.com/images/propsh...
Some UJ's are a little "tight" when new, I gave mine a good wiggling before fitting, this free'd them off a little.
Many thanks for all the help guys, the prop shaft photo makes if perfectly clear how my UJ,s need to be. Just got to make sure that when I rotate the bottom UJ to new position, I keep the Steering Rack and Intermediate Shaft relative positions fixed. Probabaly need to get Tracking checked anyway.
ON the Bearing issue, I noticed the retaining clip on the triangular shaft and wondered what it was for. The bush obviously hasn't slid down the shaft as it is not touching the retaining clip, so I will probably have to consider replacing Bearing once UJ issue is sorted.
Would be useful to know if there are any S owners in proximity to Southport (North West England) as a visual comparison would be useful as I slowly work through the many issues on my new investment? So far I get the impression there are lots of S owners in Norfolk. Unfortunately, a bit too far for a quick recce...
Graham
ON the Bearing issue, I noticed the retaining clip on the triangular shaft and wondered what it was for. The bush obviously hasn't slid down the shaft as it is not touching the retaining clip, so I will probably have to consider replacing Bearing once UJ issue is sorted.
Would be useful to know if there are any S owners in proximity to Southport (North West England) as a visual comparison would be useful as I slowly work through the many issues on my new investment? So far I get the impression there are lots of S owners in Norfolk. Unfortunately, a bit too far for a quick recce...
Graham
Many thanks for all the help guys, the prop shaft photo makes if perfectly clear how my UJ,s need to be. Just got to make sure that when I rotate the bottom UJ to new position, I keep the Steering Rack and Intermediate Shaft relative positions fixed. Probabaly need to get Tracking checked anyway.
ON the Bearing issue, I noticed the retaining clip on the triangular shaft and wondered what it was for. The bush obviously hasn't slid down the shaft as it is not touching the retaining clip, so I will probably have to consider replacing Bearing once UJ issue is sorted.
Would be useful to know if there are any S owners in proximity to Southport (North West England) as a visual comparison would be useful as I slowly work through the many issues on my new investment? So far I get the impression there are lots of S owners in Norfolk. Unfortunately, a bit too far for a quick recce...
Graham
ON the Bearing issue, I noticed the retaining clip on the triangular shaft and wondered what it was for. The bush obviously hasn't slid down the shaft as it is not touching the retaining clip, so I will probably have to consider replacing Bearing once UJ issue is sorted.
Would be useful to know if there are any S owners in proximity to Southport (North West England) as a visual comparison would be useful as I slowly work through the many issues on my new investment? So far I get the impression there are lots of S owners in Norfolk. Unfortunately, a bit too far for a quick recce...
Graham
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