Strange PAS feeling after service - Chim500
Discussion
Hi all,
I just got my car back from it's annual service and it feels great except for one small issue - the steering.
It's hard to explain - it just doesnt feel quite right. Turning left seems to feel a bit stiffer than turning right, but only fot the first 10 degrees or so. Then it frees up but gets stiffer again as you turn further. I also noticed that the wheel sometimes doesn't seem to naturally want to return to the straight-on position when you exit the bend.
I did a few searches on PH and found a suggestion that this can be caused by a gummed-up UJ (Universal joint?). I looked under the bonnet and the UJs, along with some other exposed bolts, have been coated in a thick white grease as part of the service.
Could this be enough to cause these steering sensations? Is it worth me putting a few drops of thinner 3-in-1 oil in the joint to see if it frees it up? Will it just improve over time as the white grease works its way into the joint?
Any ideas?
I just got my car back from it's annual service and it feels great except for one small issue - the steering.
It's hard to explain - it just doesnt feel quite right. Turning left seems to feel a bit stiffer than turning right, but only fot the first 10 degrees or so. Then it frees up but gets stiffer again as you turn further. I also noticed that the wheel sometimes doesn't seem to naturally want to return to the straight-on position when you exit the bend.
I did a few searches on PH and found a suggestion that this can be caused by a gummed-up UJ (Universal joint?). I looked under the bonnet and the UJs, along with some other exposed bolts, have been coated in a thick white grease as part of the service.
Could this be enough to cause these steering sensations? Is it worth me putting a few drops of thinner 3-in-1 oil in the joint to see if it frees it up? Will it just improve over time as the white grease works its way into the joint?
Any ideas?
Check with your servicer. If they have changed a track rod end or something on the rack then that is most likely, if it didn't do it before the service but does now .. you have to assume that something has changed. If the PAS fluid is low or contaminated it can cause something similar to your description, if they have had the plenum off or moved the PAS reservoir they may have crimped a hose or just lost some fluid. Does it seem worse if you turn harder .. or same no matter what sort of movement?
soddy said:
Check with your servicer. If they have changed a track rod end or something on the rack then that is most likely, if it didn't do it before the service but does now .. you have to assume that something has changed. If the PAS fluid is low or contaminated it can cause something similar to your description, if they have had the plenum off or moved the PAS reservoir they may have crimped a hose or just lost some fluid. Does it seem worse if you turn harder .. or same no matter what sort of movement?
They didn't change any steering components, but I think they did replace an exhause gasket as it was blowing (does that work need the engine out?). Never had any leaks from the steering and fluid level is fine. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what doesnt feel right. Just occasionally feeling stiffer than usual at some wheel positions. Anything else I can check under the bonnet?Strangely, it felt fine for the first few drives after the service. This only developed over the last couple of drives. Could the engine heat have 'melted' the grease into a position that is jamming the UJ?
Edited by FreeLitres on Saturday 2nd July 18:05
UPDATE - all sorted now.
It was just the UJ a bit gummed up with previous layers of grease. A quick jimmy-around with some cotton buds to fish out some white & black gunk and a drop of 3-in-1 oil has brought the steering silky smooth just how I remembered it! I am amazed that a bit of gunk could gum up a joint like that!
I wish all TVR fixes were that easy!
It was just the UJ a bit gummed up with previous layers of grease. A quick jimmy-around with some cotton buds to fish out some white & black gunk and a drop of 3-in-1 oil has brought the steering silky smooth just how I remembered it! I am amazed that a bit of gunk could gum up a joint like that!
I wish all TVR fixes were that easy!
Edited by FreeLitres on Saturday 2nd July 19:18
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