Stiff steering on new 111S ! Help!
Stiff steering on new 111S ! Help!
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tonyhetherington

Original Poster:

32,091 posts

280 months

Monday 16th May 2005
quotequote all
Hi everyone,

Very quick question to which I'm HOPING I know the answer!

Took delivery of my '53 plate S2 111S on Saturday. Lovin it! Pictures will be up very soon, have no fear.

However, the steering is incredibly stiff (yes, I realise there's no power steering!). I had a loan elise for a week (54 plate 111S) while waiting for mine - steering ont hat was perfect. Get into my one and it is very hard indeed:

At centre it's ok, at about 1/8th plus turn it REALLY loads up, and then is not centering as freely as it should. I have checked all the tyre pressures and they're spot on.

When I drove the car 5 weeks ago (when I put my deposit down) it was not like this.

The dealer has replaced discs, brakes, sprayed calipers etc. Could it be that they have over tighteded the track rod ends? Would this then lead the steering to feel like it? I've done 100miles in the car so far and I THINK it's loosening up, just slightly. But I may be trying to convince myself of this.

So - first question, could it be over tightened track rod ends (and, if not, what else could it be?

And second question - what's the recommended torque (I'll check tonight) ?

Thanks all for reading - appreciate the advice

Regards
Tony

jfrf

406 posts

284 months

Monday 16th May 2005
quotequote all
i had stiff steering that didnt self centre

happened when the dealer replaced a steeering UJ under warranty.

wasnt too bothered about getting it fixed but other people noticed it

randy

544 posts

306 months

Monday 16th May 2005
quotequote all
Did the dealer change any balljoints? Sounds like it could be a new balljoint thats a bit stiff.

tonyhetherington

Original Poster:

32,091 posts

280 months

Wednesday 18th May 2005
quotequote all
No, I don't beleive they did change the ball joint or anything like that - it all looks used.

It does seem to be freeing up a little bit now in the half turn to half turn area, but still loading up way too much in the extreme locks.

I took this picture of my car a few weeks ago in the garage...it was stored like this for about a month. Look where they've put the axle stands...would that have a bearing on how stiff it's feeling? I've left them big purposefully so you can see clearer

Thanks all
Tony