Experiencing stiff steering

[dslawton]

Folks, I''m after some advice on my recently acquired Griff 4.3. It''s a 92K, just rolled 20K miles, FTVRSH with last service (at Kerridges) which was a 48K major service at 18.5K miles in May. It had complete set of new S02s fitted then also. I''ve just noticed that the steering seems to feel extremely heavy from time to time, but not all the time - almost as though you have to really give it some large to turn the wheel, and feels like it isn''t going to centralise. At first, I put it down to tyre pressures (which were way out), and camber on the road, but I now don''t think this is the case. I had all 4 wheels re-furbed (5-spokers look great now, btw) when I got the car, and then all re-balanced. I''ve got Steve''s book, so followed some of the simple tests it suggests last night, although I''m no mechanic. There''s no play in the steering column itself at all, and steering response from turning the wheel is direct. Jacked up the front, did the test on the UJs by feeling the short shaft between the UJs while someone turned the wheel. Didn''t feel any play in the UJs at all, and they''re well lubricated. In the book it suggests stiffness may be caused by wear on the track rod-end ball-joints. I wasn''t sure how to test this. Anyone else experienced similar, or have any ideas? Of course, it might just be me too used to driving my other half''s Puma, which has very light steering (in comparison!) Cheers, Dean

[bertie]

This has happened on 4 TVRs I've owned and on every occasion it's been stiff / semi siezed UJs in the front wheelarch. I used to be able to go round islands with no hands on the wheel! A liberal dousing with WD40 cured it, repeat as necessary. What a stupid place to put them with no protection, Hope the Tuscan isn't like that.

[apache]

hope you mean the track rod ends...UJ's are usually found on drive shafts, you haven't got a front wheel drive TIV have ya........torque steer must be a bugger

[bertie]

No, not the track rod ends, the UJs in the steering column inside the front wheel arch. Most driveshafts have constant velocity joints (CV joints) not UJs for the past 30 years.

[mel]

So there ! On a serious note I agree with bertie I've had it on mine as well after a good dose of WD I sweared mine with grease to try and stop them drying out and going stiff again. A good rubber gaitor would be better.

[dslawton]

Cheers geezas, I'll give both the UJ's a spray of WD tonight and see if that helps. Seems odd that it's not always like it, but guess that's just life.

[apache]

ok,large slice of humble pie over here please

[bertie]

When you've been through it as many times as I have.......and watch out for the arrows in your back!