Obsessing About Steering

[Jonesy07]

I’ve become obsessive about the steering on my S3 – I’ve recently changed the bulkhead bearing and trackrod ends and had the steering tracked – it’s just passed its MOT and no issues with bearings or bushes noted.

Since the work the steering has become very precise, no play or wander, but the act of steering seems to have become heavier, it now has a tendency to snatch at a corner as you enter it [sorry best description I can come up with to describe how it feels] and then I have to straighten the steering myself [the car doesn’t right itself automatically] when exiting a corner.

Now I freely admit that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to dive a car without powered steering, my last was Mk 2 Golf GTi, but I don’t recall having to straighten up after a corner. Is this normal for an S, the result of the new tractrod ends being a little stiff, the S is not a one hand driving type of car or something less?
All comments very gratefully received as I started to become a littel OCD about it – though I'm learning that the little changes or adjustments on an S can made a big difference.

Cheers

Nigel

[Le TVR]

That doesn't sound right. In my experience it should be precise, turn in without drama just loading up as you add lock. It should unload naturally on exit without assistance. It will wander a little depending on tyres etc and road surface.

I would be tempted to jack up the front, see how much force to turn the steering and then repeat with each of the T/R ends disconnected.

Is it the same feeling L and R?

[TJC46]

Tyre pressures? Seem to be pretty critical on a TVR. Dont know the recommended pressures for an S, but have a play around with different pressures and see if it makes any difference.
On my Chim its ideal at 22 front and 24 rear, which is a lot lower than what most people expect.

[Mr Clifford]

Interesting post.
I have also recently had new track rod ends and have gone from bad understeer to a little more oversteer.
Car feels nice and tight on turn in but likewise I am having to work the wheel a little harder on the levelling off.
Think I need to check the tyre pressure which I know should be 22 front 24 rear.
I am interested to hear people's views here.
Car goes in for mot I two weeks time and will ask garage what they think and post later.

[Colin RedGriff]

Worth getting a full geometry check done I would say. If the steering is not unwinding naturally and you are not happy with the way it turns in then I think you need to look at the toe-in/toe out and possibly the caster

[steve j]

Jonesy07 said:

I’ve become obsessive about the steering on my S3 – I’ve recently changed the bulkhead bearing and trackrod ends and had the steering tracked – it’s just passed its MOT and no issues with bearings or bushes noted.

Since the work the steering has become very precise, no play or wander, but the act of steering seems to have become heavier, it now has a tendency to snatch at a corner as you enter it [sorry best description I can come up with to describe how it feels] and then I have to straighten the steering myself [the car doesn’t right itself automatically] when exiting a corner.

Now I freely admit that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to dive a car without powered steering, my last was Mk 2 Golf GTi, but I don’t recall having to straighten up after a corner. Is this normal for an S, the result of the new tractrod ends being a little stiff, the S is not a one hand driving type of car or something less?
All comments very gratefully received as I started to become a littel OCD about it – though I'm learning that the little changes or adjustments on an S can made a big difference.

Cheers

Nigel

Have you lubricated the u/j on the column under the bonnet, these dry out and give the steering a notchy feel as you come off centre with the steering.

[tvrgit]

Are the top and bottom steering joint "in phase" - ie do the UJs line up at each end, or are they out of line? IF they are "out of phase" that can sometimes give symptoms like notchy steering

[Jed-S]

tvrgit said:

Are the top and bottom steering joint "in phase" - ie do the UJs line up at each end, or are they out of line? IF they are "out of phase" that can sometimes give symptoms like notchy steering

+1

From experience this really does make a difference.

[TurboTony]

I replaced the track rod ends, top & bottom balljoints and replaced rack plus arb bushes. All this was because the tracking was set to zero and one track rod nut was seized....I had the car Hunter checked - these machines have a good reputation for accuracy. So the tracking and camber was set up to the recommendations. (Beware the typos regarding toe in/toe out!!! in some published data.) Previously, the car tramlined a lot but now it is delightfully neutral and the steering is slightly lighter than before. Subjectively there is less 'feedback' but it is easy to confuse feedback with kickback IMHO.

[Donnysoutherner]

Really unusual to have to force steering back in line on any car. Sounds pretty dangerous. I reckon it must be tracking really badly out following the replacement of the track rod ends.

[shoab]

For what its worth I cant see anything that would get so tight as to stop self centreing other than maybe the steering rack... if it has been rebuilt slightly tight. I would jack up and knock off the track rod ends and see how tight the wheels are to turn (probably best to place a jack under the lower wishbone, as you tyr each side, to put some weight on and put it at the angle (nearly) that it is on the road. Then try the rack and see how tight it is.... dont forget how easily it is to steer the car normally, one finger, this is the mechanical advantage of the rack on the steering so if it is a little tight, the dis-advantage works in the opposite direction.... it is more likely to be that and with a little use it may wear in a bit IMHO !

Hope this helps Graham