Heavy/Sticking Steering. Oil Your UJ's Now.
Discussion
A while ago my steering went really heavy to a point where it was difficult to drive but among other issues it got put to the back of the list. Sticky universal joints were suggested but it was that bad that i had ruled those out (Joo said it was the worst one he would have seen if it was the universal joints) and was planning on a new rack. However during the last few days of doing bits to the car i have WD40'd both joints a few times just because i had the can in my hand while in that area. I didnt really expect it to make a difference. I drove the car yesterday and the steering is absolutely perfect! I cant believe the difference! So i recommend a monthly application of oil to everyone!
I have a similar problem. You can turn the wheel and get very little self-centering.
But my car also wanders on the road. Very badly affected by undulations and wheelings left by trucks. I have a set of new ball joints to fit when I get round to it which I hope will help. I think it is probably time to change the U/Js in my steering too. The car is after all 11 years old.
But my car also wanders on the road. Very badly affected by undulations and wheelings left by trucks. I have a set of new ball joints to fit when I get round to it which I hope will help. I think it is probably time to change the U/Js in my steering too. The car is after all 11 years old.
Storer said:
brogenville said:
And if you really want them to last forever, pack them with UJ grease then cover them with a rubber boot, sealed up with some tie wraps.
That is the sort of thing the factory should have done but were too penny pinching to worry about.Storer said:
I have a similar problem. You can turn the wheel and get very little self-centering.
But my car also wanders on the road. Very badly affected by undulations and wheelings left by trucks. I have a set of new ball joints to fit when I get round to it which I hope will help. I think it is probably time to change the U/Js in my steering too. The car is after all 11 years old.
This sounds more like a tracking issue, a problem with the rack or very wide tyres on the front.But my car also wanders on the road. Very badly affected by undulations and wheelings left by trucks. I have a set of new ball joints to fit when I get round to it which I hope will help. I think it is probably time to change the U/Js in my steering too. The car is after all 11 years old.
If everything else was ok and the UJs were just a wee bit stiff it should still centre itself.
Check the easy ones of those first.
Ireland said:
Storer said:
I have a similar problem. You can turn the wheel and get very little self-centering.
But my car also wanders on the road. Very badly affected by undulations and wheelings left by trucks. I have a set of new ball joints to fit when I get round to it which I hope will help. I think it is probably time to change the U/Js in my steering too. The car is after all 11 years old.
This sounds more like a tracking issue, a problem with the rack or very wide tyres on the front.But my car also wanders on the road. Very badly affected by undulations and wheelings left by trucks. I have a set of new ball joints to fit when I get round to it which I hope will help. I think it is probably time to change the U/Js in my steering too. The car is after all 11 years old.
If everything else was ok and the UJs were just a wee bit stiff it should still centre itself.
Check the easy ones of those first.
Storer said:
I have a similar problem. You can turn the wheel and get very little self-centering.
But my car also wanders on the road. Very badly affected by undulations and wheelings left by trucks. I have a set of new ball joints to fit when I get round to it which I hope will help. I think it is probably time to change the U/Js in my steering too. The car is after all 11 years old.
Mine has exactly the same symptoms. I find that when I make an input on the steering, the car wants to stay going the direction that i've just dialled in, instead of centralizing. It's obviously exagerated at high speed, so on the motorway I tend to find i'm having to make loads of steering inputs to keep it in a straight line. It feels very dangerous.But my car also wanders on the road. Very badly affected by undulations and wheelings left by trucks. I have a set of new ball joints to fit when I get round to it which I hope will help. I think it is probably time to change the U/Js in my steering too. The car is after all 11 years old.
I may be wrong, but I think Power said it's got a "dead spot" ? on the steering rack. Anyhoo, it's booked in for next month to get it rectified.
RUSSELLM said:
Storer said:
I have a similar problem. You can turn the wheel and get very little self-centering.
But my car also wanders on the road. Very badly affected by undulations and wheelings left by trucks. I have a set of new ball joints to fit when I get round to it which I hope will help. I think it is probably time to change the U/Js in my steering too. The car is after all 11 years old.
Mine has exactly the same symptoms. I find that when I make an input on the steering, the car wants to stay going the direction that i've just dialled in, instead of centralizing. It's obviously exagerated at high speed, so on the motorway I tend to find i'm having to make loads of steering inputs to keep it in a straight line. It feels very dangerous.But my car also wanders on the road. Very badly affected by undulations and wheelings left by trucks. I have a set of new ball joints to fit when I get round to it which I hope will help. I think it is probably time to change the U/Js in my steering too. The car is after all 11 years old.
I may be wrong, but I think Power said it's got a "dead spot" ? on the steering rack. Anyhoo, it's booked in for next month to get it rectified.
RUSSELLM said:
Storer said:
I have a similar problem. You can turn the wheel and get very little self-centering.
But my car also wanders on the road. Very badly affected by undulations and wheelings left by trucks. I have a set of new ball joints to fit when I get round to it which I hope will help. I think it is probably time to change the U/Js in my steering too. The car is after all 11 years old.
Mine has exactly the same symptoms. I find that when I make an input on the steering, the car wants to stay going the direction that i've just dialled in, instead of centralizing. It's obviously exagerated at high speed, so on the motorway I tend to find i'm having to make loads of steering inputs to keep it in a straight line. It feels very dangerous.But my car also wanders on the road. Very badly affected by undulations and wheelings left by trucks. I have a set of new ball joints to fit when I get round to it which I hope will help. I think it is probably time to change the U/Js in my steering too. The car is after all 11 years old.
I may be wrong, but I think Power said it's got a "dead spot" ? on the steering rack. Anyhoo, it's booked in for next month to get it rectified.
Check your tyre pressures too, much more than 22 PSI in the front and it will weave like a bugger.
I've always kept to the handbook for the pressure, from memory 20 front, 24 rear.
Geometry's been checked by Three different companies, UJ's have been checked .
An indie fitted a track rod end some time back, and I don't think the car's handled right since, but Power say it's OK.
Hoping this will finally solve it
Geometry's been checked by Three different companies, UJ's have been checked .
An indie fitted a track rod end some time back, and I don't think the car's handled right since, but Power say it's OK.
Hoping this will finally solve it
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