What's wrong with my steering?

[crazymatelot]

Hi guys, am looking for some help in diagnosing what is wrong with my steering. All was well when I put her to bed on Friday. Today when I get her out, the steering feels a bit heavier but not too heavy. The most disturbing symptom though, is that wherever you point the car, if you take your hands off the wheel it will continue in that direction, there is no self centering. It feels like the steering is sticking. Has anybody got any ideas? There is no loss of fluid from the Power Steering pump reservoir, and the power steering does seem to be working after a fashion. I have considered the option of pump failure, but even in that event, the self centering should still work, shouldn't it?

[Dave 500]

I had exactly the same problem 2 weeks ago

Really simple fix.... You just need to spray the two UJ's on the steering column with WD40 or similar give them a good spray and work in by turning the steering wheel leave for a bit then give them a second go.

Its easiest to take off the wheel but should take less than 20 mins all in.

[crazymatelot]

Thanks for that Dave will give it a go.

[SimonKD]

Dave 500 said:

I had exactly the same problem 2 weeks ago

Really simple fix.... You just need to spray the two UJ's on the steering column with WD40 or similar give them a good spray and work in by turning the steering wheel leave for a bit then give them a second go.

Its easiest to take off the wheel but should take less than 20 mins all in.

Follow this by a good smearing of grease, especially the one in the drivers wheel arch. If you've caught them early enough you won't be needing to replace them.

regards
Simon

[kevin63]

WD40 will release the UJs but this will not last, you need to do as said above and apply some grease which will keep it from locking up and stop dirt getting in and buggering it up.
I would do it sharpish before it dries up.

[crazymatelot]

Many thanks lads, sounds like good advice to me, will be doing as suggested later tonight.

[Ireland]

FWIW they are reasonably easy to change if you need to.

[crazymatelot]

If greasing them up does not sort the problem, does anyone know what the part No is? or what vehicle they are off?

[Ireland]

I got mine off TVR Power.

It was suggested recently on here that they are a modified Land Rover item.

[Storer]

Ireland
What is the method for replacing the steering u/j's? I think somebody had put a step by step on here somewhere. Any help appreciated.

It must be possible to get small rubber boots/gaiters for these and fit them at the same time and fill them with grease to prevent the problem in future.

[kevin63]

I personally would mark each shaft either side of the UJ to make sure you keep everything in align, then it is just a matter of undoing the two locking bolts that grip the UJ on to the shafts, it is easy.
I was also going to fit a steering gator over the UJ but ended up not getting one in time, also an inner tube was considered but I could not get one of those either. (I was unlucky that weekend)

[crazymatelot]

The good news is, the steering is back to normal. I followed the advice on here and it worked. The steering UJ's were a bit stiff so I freed em up and covered em in grease, just been for a run and everything is back to normal.
Cheers for the help fellas.

Edited to add:- there are no unwanted side effects such as UJ wear, the steering is perfect, no play, so I was lucky.

Edited by crazymatelot on Monday 20th July 14:34