heavy steering on mini cooper

[pat101]

My girlfriend has just bought an X reg rover mini cooper. The car has only done 7,000 miles and has been laid up in a garage for a long time.The steering is very heavy and I wondered if any of you nice mini people could give us some advice on this.
We have checked the tire pressures which were OK.

Any ideas folks?

[Neil8p]

Hi

You've checked the obvious to I think a bit more info is needed

Has it got 12 or 13 inch wheels?
Do you know if it has any adjustable components in the front suspension?
Is this your first mini and are you used to something with power steering ?

Cheers

Neil

[pat101]

The tyres are r13 so I guess 13" wheels?
Not sure about adjustment on suspension.

Have to confess that power steering has been the norm so far, so maybe shes gonna have to beef up the arm muscles???

[TVR SLag's BiL]

Sports pack minis are very heavy on the steering. I forget when switching back from the Cerbera!

As long as there is no play in the rack and it return to centre when driving i cant see a problem!

[pat101]

TVR SLag's BiL said:

Sports pack minis are very heavy on the steering. I forget when switching back from the Cerbera! As long as there is no play in the rack and it return to centre when driving i cant see a problem!

Point taken i just think we've been a bit spoilt with every car being power steering these days, thanks for all the advice.

[8portChris]

If its got Dunlop tyres on, they tend to feel heavyier than others. (Bridgstones for example)

Chris

[S Works]

The 13x6's are pretty heavy.

When I moved over from 12's (and I'm no wee lad either mind!) my forearms took a beating for the first few times I drove it.

You just have to go faster and then it lightens up